“Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa!” (In fire prevention, you are not alone!) is not just a mere tagline for the observance of Fire Prevention Month by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), but a message to protect a borrowed life that everyone holds dear and is precious enough to be lost to a preventable incident such as fire.

We should value our lives and properties. Just simple fire safety tips: watch what you are cooking; if you use candles because Holy Week is coming, put them in the right place away from curtains and papers. Also, let's avoid overcharging, said Fire Senior Inspector Evelyn Barbaso, chief of the Public Information Unit of BFP in the Soccsksargen region.

According to her, the increase in fire incidents in the region has affected countless lives and turned hard-earned properties into ashes.

The BFP recorded a total of 92 fire incidents as of March 6, which is 36 percent higher compared to the previous year.

“Intensify nato atong fire safety inspection sa tanan nga establishments to ensure fire safety compliance based on the prescribed standards sa atong Fire Code of the Philippines," Barbaso said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency’s “Performing and Informing” online program, which airs every Wednesday via its regional and provincial Facebook pages.

[Let's intensify our fire safety inspections in all establishments to ensure fire safety compliance according to the prescribed standards of the Fire Code of the Philippines.]

This year, in observance of Fire Prevention Month, BFP aims to conduct widespread "operational readiness and heightened alert status through integrated community-centered fire safety activities" in the region.

"For this observance, we are strengthening our information, education, and communication advocacy para pud mahibalo-an sa katawhan kung unsa ang potential fire hazards ug ma-educate pud sila regarding sa fire safety measure protocols na ginapatuman sa BFP,” she added.

[For this observance, we are strengthening our information, education, and communication advocacy so that the people know what the potential fire hazards are and can be educated regarding the fire safety measure protocols implemented by the BFP.]

BFP disclosed that it has strengthened its partnership with local government units, public and private entities, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations over the years in adherence to all fire-related laws.

With the aim of achieving a "safety-conscious nation" by 2034, BFP has doubled efforts to ensure that the public has adequate knowledge on fire safety and prevention.

“Padayon ang pag mug-na sang community fire protection plan wherein si BFP naga-assist sa barangay sa ila nga hazard mapping, identification of the evacuation area, then the house-to-house survey nga ginahimo sang BFP personnel,” she added.

[We continue the development of the community fire protection plan, in which BFP assists the barangay in their hazard mapping, identification of the evacuation area, and then the house-to-house survey conducted by BFP personnel.]

Barbaso also assured the continued conduct of drills and simulations and the updating of online platforms for fire safety tips, which target younger generations.

With its strong collaboration with other stakeholders in the region, BFP has established 490 operational water sources for fire hydrants, which are a big help in being stand-by sources of water during fire emergencies.

The agency also took pride in its continuous implementation of the Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan program, which has community volunteers to serve as their force multipliers whom they can mobilize when necessary.

To date, the BFP has 157 community fire auxiliary groups that complement the 1,352 BFP personnel in the region.

Meanwhile, as to the agency’s modernization program, Barbaso revealed that they have recently received new assets, which include 13 fire trucks and four ambulances.

The BFP has also ongoing construction of fire stations in Sarangani, Kidapawan City, Makilala, and Kalamansig in Cotabato Province, and a new fire station in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, including an activated fire substation in Libertad, Surallah in South Cotabato, totaling to “49 fire stations region-wide, including 11 fire substations.”

Barbaso then advised the residents of Soccsksargen to “be fire safety conscious” and consistently opt for personal safety from any possible hazards, reinforcing in the public consciousness the importance of fire safety and vigilance. (AMB - PIA Region 12)