TABUK CITY, Kalinga (PIA) — Around 300 students from Tabuk City joined the Fire Square Roadshow conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Kalinga on April 2, 2025 at the city’s gymnasium.
The event aimed to raise awareness about fire safety, prevention, and disaster preparedness through various interactive activities such as zero-visibility drills, using a fireman’s ladder, rappelling, ziplining, fire extinguisher demonstration, basic life support training, and a lecture on fire safety.
To showcase their capabilities in fighting fires and performing rescue operations, the BFP also held a static display of uniforms and equipment while demonstrating their proper use.
The Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, the Philippine Army, the Tabuk City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative also conducted demonstrations on firearms safety, proper uniform wear, rescue techniques, and electrical safety.
“Today po, I learned a lot from different equipment and the uses of it , and fire preparedness. And also, the different strategies na gagawin if ever may fire. Nakaka-help po ito sa amin as a student, kasi it gives us knowledge about what to do during and after a fire,” said Haiden Balutoc, a senior student at Tabuk City National High School.
The activity was part of the culminating events of the observance of Fire Prevention Month.
Meanwhile, BFP-Cordillera Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Fire Senior Superintendent Robert Pacis said the agency’s fire prevention campaigns and training are continuing. This dry season, they are closely monitoring areas in the region that are susceptible to forest fires.
“As of now, on-going pa yung ating fire prevention campaign. Considering the fact na summer season, so yung ating binabantayan ay yung mga forest fires, particular sa Benguet and other provinces. And on-going pa din yung pa-training ng ating kasamahan, so in case of emergencies, at least alam natin ang ating ginagawa,” Pacis said.
The BFP is also turning over fire trucks from the national government to various fire stations in the region.
“Yung mga bagong firetrucks from the national government, nabigyan po ang Kiangan, Ifugao. Dito din sa Kalinga, sa Lubuagan and in Pilar, Abra. At tuloy-tuloy po yung modernization ng BFP. By the end of the year, may susunod na firetrucks and ambulances din ang maibibigay sa atin,” Pacis said. (JDP/RGA-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
