MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government will team up with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to promote fire safety measures in the barangays, Mayor Joy Belmonte said yesterday.
Belmonte said they would adopt the BFP-QC Fire District’s Plan dubbed “Ligtas Pamayanan,” a strategic fire prevention campaign.
“Higit sa pag-apula ng sunog at sa pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga nasunugan, the promotion of a culture that respects fire safety standards is the key to building a fire-safe community. This is our priority,” she said.
The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will spearhead the creation of fire auxillary groups in barangays that will serve as frontline responders during fires.
Belmonte said the residents’ participation is one of the key components of the campaign wherein trained volunteers and civil society organizations would serve as auxillary brigades.
Volunteers will be taught practical ways on how to prevent fires in residential areas.
“We need the residents’ proactive role to prevent, if not totally eliminate fire incidents,” Belmonte said.
Fire breaks out in Tondo
In Manila, at least 20 families were left homeless when a fire broke out along Capulong street in Tondo on Sunday night.
Arson probers said no one was injured in the fire that started at around 9 p.m.
The Bureau of Fire Protection raised the second alarm before the blaze was declared under control at around 10:16 p.m.
Authorities said they have yet to determine the cause of the fire.