CEBU, Philippines - After Carreta Barangay Captain Eduardo Lauron’s statement against some firefighters who responded to last Wednesday’s fire, Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar is challenging the barangay chief to a public debate to clarify issues.
“Gusto nako, harap-harapan kay walay klaro kon di ta mag-estorya og tarong. Mas maayo mag debate nalang atubangan sa mga tawo aron makahibaw kon kinsa ang may kakuwang,” said Comar. (I want a face to face debate before the people so we would know who committed some lapses.)
Lauron had com-plained that firefighters did not follow his resident’s directions on how to penetrate Ponce 2, which was badly hit by the fire. He said firefighters should listen to them because they know the area more and could lead firemen in penetrating the area.
Comar, however, answered that Barangay Carreta failed to heed an earlier instruction to organize a Barangay Risk Reduction Committee, which could have led the firefighting efforts of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
According to him, weeks before the fire which hit Barangay Carreta and Tejero, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) scheduled a meeting with Barangay Carreta to discuss fire preventive measures.
Unfortunately, only few from the barangay attended the said “pulong-pulong” and this had dismayed Comar.
“Di seryoso ang barangay sa among pag-abot, wala man gali ang kapitan atong among pulong-pulong,” said Comar. (The barangay was not serious in the campaign, the barangay captain did not even attend the meeting.)
“Wala tingali siya kabalo sa akong trabaho,” Comar added. (He does not know the scope of my work.)
During the meeting, firefighters from Mabolo, Lahug and Parian talked with representatives of the barangay so they could come up with a Barangay Risk Reduction Committee (BRRC) who would be tasked to assist during emergencies.
What happened in Barangay Carreta, according to Comar, is that there was no committee assisting them during the blaze. “Daghan og kulang ang barangay wala gali sila kahimo og action plan,” he said. (The barangay lacks many things, it does not even have an action plan). (FREEMAN)