BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Fire can be devastating to life, property and the environment, but destructive flames can be prevented through better awareness on fire safety and prevention in every household, community and across all sectors of society.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Araceli San Jose emphasized this point during the kick-off event for the regional observance of Fire Prevention Month.
“Akma po ang tema ng ating 2025 Fire Prevention Month, ‘Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa’, dahil kinikilala po natin ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga komunidad. This month-long celebration is a stern reminder that fire prevention is a whole of society’s responsibility. All levels of government, the society, the private sector, all of us, lahat tayo, we are all actors accountable for ensuring fire safety,” San Jose said.
“Ito po ay maiiwasan kung ang ating mga mamamayan ay may sapat na kaalaman at kakayahan upang itaguyod ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa. The reality of it is that fire safety and prevention start with us, sa atin, sa ating mga pamilya, sa ating mga komunidad. Ang pag-iwas sa sunog at ang ating kaligtasan ay nag uumpisa sa ating mga kamay. It is imperative that we build and nurture a community that values safety and well-being of those around us,” she added.
San Jose also assured the continuing commitment of DILG-CAR, which include the BFP, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, in ensuring safe and resilient communities.
“Rest assured that the DILG CAR, and the entire DILG family, will do our part to complement the efforts of the BFP and other partners and join our local government units to push for a fire – free and safe communities in the Cordilleras,” San Jose said.
Meanwhile, BFP National Headquarters Director for Operations Chief Supt. Rizalde Castro, emphasized the importance of a shared consciousness towards social responsibility in ensuring fire safe communities.
“We all aim for a safe and secure Philippines. We all aim for a fire-free community. And we all want to secure the safety of our families. Let us then do all our part in making this common aspiration a reality. Kaya lahat po tayo, kayo, ako, tayong lahat, ay samasama at kasama ninyo po ang Bureau of Fire Protection, laging handa at laging maasahan. Sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa,” Castro stressed.
BFP-CAR Regional Director Senior Supt. Robert Pacis led other BFP personnel and representatives of various government agencies, private institutions/organization and volunteer groups in the simple kick-off program on March 3. (JDP/CCD with Klaud Kaniteng & Jairus Cardinoza/PIA – SLU Interns)
