TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA) — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Davao del Norte will intensify the fire version efforts of “Oplan Tokhang” to check residential areas of any fire hazard in coordination with barangays officials.
Guesting in a February episode of Sayron Ta! Pakigsayod radio program, BFP Davao del Norte Executive Assistant, Fire Inspector Ramil E. Gillado said that the BFP aims to visit all residential areas in the province this year.
He explained that the BFP has been doing the Oplan Tokhang since 2019 when the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued on March 15, 2019 the Memorandum Circular 2019-40 that mandates the implementation of “Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan in all Barangays Nationwide”.
Gillado was determined to intensify this type of “Tokhang” as he noted the absence of continuing checking of residences which tops the list of the sectors mostly involved in fire incidences, annually.
“Nakita nato nga ang sagad nga rason nganong ang mga residential nasa top 1 involved sa sunog, nakita nato nga ang nga residential walay tay continuous nga monitoring or inspection,” he said.
(We have noted that one of the main reasons why residences top in terms of fire incidents, is that there is no continuous monitoring and inspection among residences.)
He explained that the Bureau of Fire bears no authority to inspect residences as this would violate the privacy of families as enshrined in the Philippine Family Code.
It can only provide fire prevention intervention to residences, during applications of Building Permits and Occupancy Permit.
“Once ang balay occupied na, the Bureau of Fire is no longer authorized to conduct inspection. Mao na walay (That’s why there’s no) continuing inspection unlike in business establishments nga (that) yearly especially during business renewal and application of Business Permits, we conduct inspection,” Gillado said.
With the Oplan Listas na Pamayanan, BFP partners with the barangays to check fire safety, to know the hazards and risks, and to raise fire prevention awareness in communities.
“Motuktok ta ug mohangyo ta kung pwede makasulod sa mga balay aron makita nato kung unsa ang mga hazards ug mga risks nga naa didto. (We will knock to request if we could go inside the house to see what are the hazards and risks inside),” he said referring to Oplan Tokhang conducted under the Oplan Listas na Pamayanan program.
Gillado assured that BFP personnel carrying out the Oplan Tokhang would have proper identity. They will go house-to-house in proper uniform with identification cards, together with barangay officials known in the community.
“Kung naay moanha sa inyo na mga personnel sa Bureau of Fire protection i-accommodate lang nto tungod kay wala tay nga kahadlukan, libre ni siya.. tabangan mo kung unsa ang dapat nga i-check sa sulod sa inyong balay (If personnel of the Bureau of Fire protection would visit your home, just accommodate them because we have nothing to fear. This is free. Let’s help whatever should be checked inside your house),” he appealed while assuring that the BFP will not collect any fee for residential fire inspection. (JMDA)
