Benguet forest fire blamed on kids

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has denied reports that an ongoing forest fire on Mt. Sto. Tomas in Tuba, Benguet was started by kaingeros or those who burn down trees to clear land for planting crops.

The fire was allegedy started by children playing in the area, Alex Uy, OCD regional director for the Cordilleras, said.

The blaze, which started last Thursday, destroyed a steep and rocky portion of the mountain declared as a forest reserve area.

Local police joined firefighters in trying to put out the fire.

Benguet police director Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said he may ask the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council to implement measures to mitigate the blaze.

Civil defense officer Hector Villanueva said they have yet to determine the amount of the damage.