All chapels soon to have extinguishers

CEBU, Philippines —  Each chapel in the city can soon expect its own fire extinguisher.

In line with the observance of Fire Prevention Month, the Cebu City government is set to purchase 2,000 fire extinguishers to be distributed to every chapel in the city.

Before distributing these fire extinguishers, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) Operations Chief Ronald Malacora said his office will hold disaster preparedness and training for chapel leaders to ensure they know how to use them.

“Atong i-organisar ang community pinaagi sa ilang chapel officers duna tay pagabuhaton nga sort of orientation disaster preparedness at the same time return demonstration sa mga aktibidades pag pangandam batok sa katalagman then after ana ang distribution sa mga fire extinguishers nilang tanan,” he said.

Malacora said the city will prioritize the coastal areas which are reportedly fire prone such as barangays T. Padilla, Tejero, Suba-Pasil, Sawang Calero, and Inayawan, among others.

He said Mayor Tomas Osmeña has already started the distribution of the 1,626 fire extinguishers which was planned to be distributed to 813 chapels.

“Gamay-gamay nalang na ron kay sa gihimong rounds ni mayor kada gabii sa nagkadaiyang barangay nanghatag man pud na siya og fire extinguishers, lahi sad na siya,” Malacora added.

Last year, the city’s Peace and Order Program purchased 1,626 fire extinguishers that will be distributed to the 813 chapels in all barangays in the city.

Each fire extinguisher costs P3,400 for a total of P5.5 million.

Malacora said he will call for a massive training for all chapel officers during the second week of March on how to use the fire extinguisher and on how to prevent fire incidents in their area with the help of the Bureau of Fire Protection-7.

“So kana mao nay initial nga plano niya karon padagan na sad ang Disaster Office og pagpamalit gihapon og dugang fire extinguishers kay mao ni target, atong lukpon ang tanan pagpanghatag og fire extinguisher,” he said.

For this year, Malacora said the city has budgeted P7 million to purchase around 2,000 fire extinguishers.

He said these fire extinguishers will also be given to schools and different barangays.

Malacora said there should be an officer of the chapel, school, or barangay who will be responsible for the condition of the fire extinguisher and to ensure that it can still be used to respond to fire alarms.

“Ang atong nakita nga dinalian nga solusyon mao na siya ang pagtudlo sa atong komunidad unsaon pagpugong ang kayo dili makadako, dili lang focus ang training nga atong ihatag sa nagkadaiyang chapel officers dili lang ni focus sa sunog kun dili sa uban pang kalamidad nga posibleng mo-igo sa atong mga lugar so focus ta sa preparedness dili lang ta moingon nga igo nalang ta motubag sa alarma in times nga naay mahitabong kalamidad,” he added. — BRP (FREEMAN)