Rama, BFP head, trade barbs on proposed relief

CEBU, Philippines - After hearing the plan of his superior to recommend for his relief, Cebu City Fire Marshal Aderson Comar yesterday said that firefighters must not be blamed for the death of three persons during a fire in barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

That, as Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7 could be in for a tug-of-war over Comar’s fate as Rama apparently wants Comar to stay.

“Kanang dunay mamatay during sa sunog, dili man na sala sa bombero. Sala na sa katawhan nga nagdanghag or depende sa sitwasyon sa ilang area, kung trap ba ang ilang lugar,” Comar said. (It’s not the firemen’s fault. Blame those who are careless, or in some instances, it would depend on the situation of a specific area, if the place is really a trap.)

The investigation the BFP-7 is conducting would determine whether the fire stations have committed lapses in their firefighting operations. Aside from Pardo, a fire also killed two in Lapu-Lapu City recently.

BFP-7 Director Maria Luisa Hadjula said she does not want any more fatalities in fires within Central Visayas.

“She has the right to make a recommendation. It is part of her managerial function so I will wait for the formal order,” Comar said. But he added Hadjula cannot easily order her relief, unlike in the case of Lapu-Lapu City Fire Station Officer-in-Charge Victor Vibares who was relieved last March 15 and was replaced by Supt. Oscar Mayol.

He said Hadjula cannot replace him because his assignment came directly from the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. He assured that wherever he will be assigned, he will do the job he is mandated to do. While waiting for the order though, he said he will focus on the welfare of Cebu City in terms of fire prevention and fire fighting.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that relieving of Comar will not solve the problem.

“Dugay naman niya (Hadjula) gusto irelibo diba? Mao na ang problema nila, mangita man gud sila ug rason,” Rama said. (She has long wanted to take Comar out of Cebu City and she is just looking for an excuse.)

 Rama said instead of reorganizing people, the regional office of the fire department must lobby with its national office for more budget to address the needs of the fire stations for more equipment.

Rama said he expects the DILG to have the courtesy to discuss the matter with him before taking action on the recommendation of Hadjula to relieve Comar.

“DILG should have the courtesy of discussing it with me because they do not run the city, I run the city,” Rama said.

Rama chose Comar to be the city’s Fire Marshal because the latter has his trust and confidence. He said he is satisfied with the performance of the BFP-Cebu City.

But Hadjula, for her part, cited her power to supervise her men.

“I’m only speaking as the regional director and I have the overall supervision administratively and operations throughout Central Visayas,” she said in response to Rama’s statement that relieving people is not the right thing to do.

“Hindi ako dapat matulog nalang dapat akong mag react sa lahat nga problema ko kasi area of responsibility ko ito ang regional 7 at hindi ko ito pwede pabaya-an,” Hadjula told The FREEMAN. (I could not just remain passive because this is my area of jurisdiction. It is part of my responsibility.)

Hadjula said BFP7 is not under the mayor. Although she respects Rama’s opinion, she said, “Nobody can dictate me as the regional director.” 

She plans to submit her recommendation for Comar’s relief to the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“Mag re-reflect yan sa leadership ko at di sa leadership ng mayor. Hindi si mayor ang mag ii-explain sa secretary bakit iyong marshal ay palpak,” she said. (It won’t reflect on the mayor’s leadership. It would be I, and not he, who would have to explain to the secretary the fire marshal’s inefficiency.)

“Ang leader, kapag ang hepe mo ay nag engot-engot at nag tamad-tamad at puro nagpapogi points at hindi nagtratrabaho ay malaking effect yan,” she added, defending further her plan for Comar and her relief orders for Lapu-Lapu City Fire Marshal Officer-in-Charge Victor Vibares last Saturday. – (FREEMAN)