El Niño led to higher fire incidents in Region 6
Cases of fire incidents in Western Visayas tripled in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period last year, records of the Bureau of Fire Protection 6 show.
From January to June this year, the BFP-6 has listed 1, 463 cases compared to last year’s first half record of only 483.
Senior Supt. Ma. Sofia Mendoza, BFP-6 regional director, said the El Niño was among the contributing factors to the high fire cases this year.
El Niño was associated with the long dry spell in the past months.
Grass fire is the common cause of fire with 907 cases recorded followed by electrical connection with 111 cases.
Other causes were unattended candles, appliances and gas stoves, and lighted matches and cigarette butts.
Meanwhile, the BFP-6 has launched the “Oplan Brave” or Barangay Response Assistance Volunteer and Emergency in different barangays in six provinces in the region.
Mendoza said they need fire volunteers from each barangay because residents are the first ones who can response to any emergency in their area.
The BFP-6 is targeting more than 2, 000 fire volunteers around the region who will be taught of basic fire fighting.
‘FALAR STILL A REQUISITE’
Meanwhile, Mendoza said there is no plan to discontinue the requirement of Fire and Life Safety Assessment Report for business establishments, despite the Department of Interior and Local Government order to stop the practice.
The BFP Central Office has not yet informed them to stop the requirement, she said.
“Unless we receive an order, we will continue the practice,” she told The News Today during the recent FALAR discussion with businessmen in Iloilo City.
FALAR is one of the requirements for the issuance of Fire Safety Inspection Certificates needed for business permits of buildings with occupancy of at least 50 persons, and of business establishments.
This is a documentation on the required periodic maintenance and upkeep of fire and life safety features of the facility.
It consists of a written report prepared by the building owner and his fire safety officer, and a compilation of the maintenance and testing records kept by the buildings engineering and maintenance departments.
However, reports said some fire officials are asking a “fee” in exchange for the service that prompted DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo to direct the BFP to immediately discontinue the practice.
Mendoza said she has received a complaint but the person involved is not a BFP personnel.
But she said that any fire officer caught practicing such illegal activity will be sanctioned.
