SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Mar. 1 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Field Office 1 (DSWD-FO1) has extended aid to families affected by 30 fire incidents in the Ilocos Region so far in 2024, impacting 120 families.
 
DSWD-FO1 provided essential support, distributing 1,941 food and non-food items valued at P1,714,085.88.
 
Additionally, the agency assisted with early recovery efforts through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, offering financial aid totaling P16,934,085.88 to the affected families.
 
This year has seen a significant rise in fire incidents compared to the same period in 2023, with only 10 recorded cases based on received Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) reports from the agency.
 
DSWD-FO1 emphasizes the importance of year-round fire safety practices, regardless of the month.
 
"Fire prevention shouldn't be limited to March. Fire incidents can occur anytime, so everyone must be vigilant and practice fire safety measures daily," said Maricel Caleja, officer-in-charge chief of DSWD-FO1's Disaster Response Management Division.
 
Caleja expressed concern regarding the high number of fires already documented in February and urged the public to prioritize fire safety knowledge to protect themselves and their loved ones.
 
To prevent fire hazards, DSWD reminds everyone to dispose of flammable materials properly, never leave cooking unattended, unplug unused appliances, familiarize themselves with their building's emergency evacuation plan, and save emergency hotline numbers in their phones for immediate assistance.
 
During a disaster, individuals are advised to report their situation to their local government unit (LGU) for immediate help as they are the first responders in times of crisis.
 
DSWD-FO1 reiterates its commitment to assisting affected communities upon request from LGUs that submit the necessary DROMIC reports. (JCR/AMB/PIA Region 1)