BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection in the Cordillera region is calling on local government units, and the communities for their support in strengthening fire prevention and fire safety awareness campaign down to the remotest areas amid the growing concern of frequent forest fires in the region.

BFP-CAR OIC-regional director Senior Supt. Robert Pacis made the appeal during the recent kick off ceremony for this year’s celebration of Fire Prevention Month which was themed, “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Di ka Nag-iisa” at the Melvin Jones grandstand.

BFP data shows that from Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, BFP-CAR has responded to 79 forest fire incidents across the region, and they are still ongoing. There were also cases of structural fires.

The BFP cannot do it alone. A whole- of- society approach is needed in creating public awareness on fire prevention especially against “kaingin,” or the slash-and-burn farming method, which is often the cause of forest fires.

“We converge in this activity because we are talking about public safety, fire prevention campaigns, and awareness to the public. Hopefully, we can bring this to the farthest parts of Cordillera, that we are doing business here, we are doing a public safety campaign,” Pacis stressed. 

Our forest areas are dwindling. Fire safety is everybody’s concern- government, LGUs, the civilians - we have to act now, he added.

Department of Social Welfare and Development OIC-regional director Enrique Gascon Jr, the guest of honor and speaker, also appealed for the support of the local communities, and the different sectors of society in fire prevention and awareness, as destructive fires not only cause damages to properties and the environment, but also affect the lives of families and individuals.

Gascon said that the DSWD, being the lead agency for disaster response operations, usually provides food and non-food assistance through its Disaster Response and Management Division, medical and/or cash assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program, and other essential services during and after a fire  incident. 

For 2023, DSWD provided P35.8 million worth of assistance to disaster affected families,” Gascon shared. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)