Residents urged not to leave candles lighted at home on 'Kalag-Kalag'

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Fire Office has reminded the public to avoid leaving lighted candles inside their houses unattended during the "kalag-kalag" as this had caused most fire incident last year.

CCFO information officer, SFO1 Wendell Villanueva, said they deployed fire trucks in each identified cemetery in the city as a precautionary measure.

Aside from this, they are also reminding the public to secure their houses before leaving and to double check their electrical appliances that may cause fire.

"As well as kining mga atong mga kuan kandila nga atong dagkotan kay normally kitang tradisyon natong mga Pinoy kay naa tay mga kandila nga dagkotan para sa atong mga minatay," said Villanueva.

"Dapat atong i-ensure nga mapawng na sya," he added.

He also appealed the public to avoid placing lighted candles near curtains and above cardboard. Further, he also emphasized turning off the electrical breaker.

The firetrucks have been deployed since last week until November 7. There are a total of 24 personnel that will be manning each firetruck.

"Karon atong mga sakop sa kabomberohan naka station especially with the support of our fire volunteer brigade sa CCFO, naka deploy na sila sa nagkalain-laing sam-ang diri sa Dakbayan sa Sugbo," he said.

According to Villanueva, they have been informing the public on this matter after records showed that lighted candles left unattended were mostly the cause of fire accidents in the previous years.

"Kay molakaw nalang ta nga wala nato mapawng ang mga kandila," he said.

The CCFO also conducted a daily rekorida using the firetrucks to patrol the streets.

Should the government will push through the closing of cemeteries on November 1 and 2, Villanueva said the deployment is still in place during the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

During the observance of the kalag-kalag, Villanueva said they are keeping an eye on the populated areas in which a fire could occur.

"Mao gyud na atong concentration, kung kabantay mo naa jud nay mga marka sa atong gi conduct og hose mapping aron inig abot namo didto maka determine mi og pila ka hose among iladlad para masiguro nga maka penetrate dayon ta," he concluded. — GMR (FREEMAN)