(File Photo Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte from the Quezon City Government) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has called on the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to assign a new fire marshall for the Quezon City Fire District (QCFD) and a new inspection head amid lapses in the performance of primary functions. 

The local chief executive made the said call as initial investigation revealed lax inspection, backlog in the examination of businesses, and other negligence of duties on the part of the BFP-QCFD following the recent fire incidents in the city which caused a tragic loss of life and property. 

At present, Belmonte is also seeking the investigation powers of the BFP to look into how the QCFD has fulfilled its mandate insofar as the enforcement of Fire Code of the Philippines is concerned. 

“Were the BFP-QCFD leadership remiss in their duties? They should hold their personnel accountable if proven guilty of inefficiency,” said Belmonte. 

Data from the BFP revealed that the city already recorded a total of 153 fires from January to August 2023 which is significantly higher than the 219 fire incidents occurred from January to December 2023 in terms of frequency. 

The number of injured firefighters and civilians also rose from 2 and 60 in the entirety of 2022 to 8 and 63 in the past quarters of 2023. 

A sum of 8,362 individuals that equate to 2,380 affected families were likewise recorded during the past eight months of the year which remain higher in rate as compared to the 7,295 individuals or 2,005 total number of affected families in 2022.

“The capability and effectiveness of the BFP-QCFD in responding to these fires have lessened significantly. The city government recognizes that each fire has its own distinct volatile circumstances. Nonetheless, the severity of this year’s incidents necessitates a call for a change in the leadership of the agency. A change is needed for the welfare of our citizens. We look forward to a better performance from the BFP,” Belmonte stressed.

Two officials of the BFP-QCPD were earlier removed from positions following the performance review initiated by the city government in light of the destructive fire incident in Tandang Sora last August 31.

“The BFP has failed to reciprocate the city government’s efforts to exercise transparency. They resisted our calls to be apprised of the progress of their own probe, or to our requests for coordination. We therefore ask the BFP to cooperate fully with the city government as mandated by law, to ensure full transparency and clarity in these investigations. Our people demand more, and the victims and their families deserve nothing less,” said the local chief executive. 

Belmonte further directed the City Legal Department to form a Special Panel of Investigators intended for the filing of necessary cases against the liable officers of the business establishment involved in the said fire incident. 

While the local  government expressed its commitment to continue the thorough investigation of the incident, it also assured the residents that the state of fire prevention and protection services in the city will improve. 

Last September 14, Mayor Belmonte led the provision of financial assistance to the families of the fire victims. The local government also aided in the cremation services of the 15 casualties rendered by the tragic incident. (QC PAISD/PIA-NCR)