BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA)-- The spirit of bayanihan locally called “ug-ugfo” or “Og-ogfo” in municipality came to the fore in the aftermath of a structural fire that razed down  a commercial and residential area in Loc-ong, Barangay Poblacion in this town dawn of April 11.

The Bureau of Fire Protection – Mountain Province reported that the fire broke out at around 2:00 am of April 11, and through the efforts of BFP including fire fighters from the municipalities of Sadanga, Bauko, Sabangan and Sagada; the Police Provincial Office, private water delivery services and the community of Bontoc, fire out was declared at 7:20 AM of the same date.

The conflagration   totally burned 22 establishments and houses and partially damaged 10 others in the fire site of approximately 3,492 square meters. Three vehicles, three tricycles, and a motorcycle which were parked  in  the area were also damaged. Fortunately, no one died or was injured in the worst fire incident the town experienced in recent years. 

Based on the Department of Social Welfare and Development – SWAD- Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center report as of  April 12, 2023, there were 109 families or 214 individuals affected by the fire.

The affected individuals were initially housed at the nearby All Saints Mission International School but on the same day, some were fetched by their families or relatives from their hometowns and some   were accommodated by relatives and friends in the capital town. Some families are staying at the TTMF Facility of the provincial government at the Bontoc General Hospital Compound and in other facilities provided for by the Bontoc local government unit.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chaired by Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., the Bontoc Municipal DRRMC chaired by Mayor Jerome B. Tudlong, Jr. immediately   distributed the prepositioned family food packs and hygiene kits to the victims. The Office of Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., various line agencies and other private sector donors provided food and non-food items. The Provincial DOH is also  providing  health care services  to the victims.

The whole community of Bontoc, together with other national line agencies  joined in the clearing of the fire site. Private contractors also lent their dump trucks to aide in the clearing operation. The women also are  volunteering   in the preparation of  food for the workforce and volunteers during the  operations.

Tudlong mentioned in an interview that temporary shelters will be built through the spirit of ‘ug-ugfo’ for the displaced victims who do not have  place to go.

In April 12, local officials of  other Bontoc barangays such as Samoki, Gonogon and Tocucan led their villagers to help responders and community volunteers in the construction of the six temporary shelters. Materials used for these temporary homes came from the different barangays of the municipality.

Construction of temporary shelters and clearing operations though are suspended on April 13    for the observance of "Tengaw," a cultural lockdown, following the "Changtey" or cleansing ritual performed earlier by the elders. Clearing activities will resume on April 16. 

As of this writing, there is no official report yet as to the cause of the fire and total damages are still being determined.

To those who may want to help the victims recover from said tragedy, donations are still being accepted.

For donations in kind, kindly bring them to the tent set up at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol grounds for proper accounting and distribution.

For cash donations, kindly turn them over to the Bontoc Emergency Operations Center located across the street from Tchayapan Restaurant. A Republic of the Philippines Official Receipt will be issued by a staff of the Municipal Treasury Office.

You may also send your cash donations to the LGU-Bontoc Landbank account:

Account Name: LGU-Bontoc

Account Number: 1042-1004-27

Landbank Bontoc Branch

*Kindly send the screenshots of your deposit slip/fund transfer receipt to the Municipality of Bontoc Facebook Page (https://web.facebook.com/bontocmp).

For donors in Baguio City/Benguet, kindly bring in- kind donations to: D' Rising Sun Office, Slaughter Compound, Baguio City. Kindly label your donations with "Donations for Fire Victims in Bontoc c/o Daplin.

For Manila donations, please message Ms Dione Selly Chaokas at 09172426931(PIA-Mt. Province)

re services.