LCEs urged to inspect buildings for fire safety protocols
WITH the rise in fire incidents this summer, Interior and LOCAL Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. urged local government units (LGUs) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to conduct building inspections to see to if the safety protocols of the fire code of the Philippines or Republic Act 9514 were strictly followed by these establishments.
According to Abalos, commercial or residential buildings should follow the guidelines set by the government to prevent destructive fires.
Based on data released by the BFP, fire incidents increased by 40 percent during April 1 – 26 this year compared to the same period of 2022.
From the 953 incidents last year, the fire bureau recorded 1,332 fires incidents in the 26-day comparison.
The BFP attributed these figures to the rise in the demand of electricity in every household due to the scorching heat aside from the possibility that it compromises defective electric lines.
Other considerations are dried leaves, grasses and garbage that easily catch fire even by sun heat alone or stray lighted cigarette butts.
“Tiyakin natin na ang mga buildings ay mayroong fire exits, fire protection systems tulad ng sprinklers, hose box, at iba pang fire safety features alinsunod sa Fire Code of the Philippines. Huwag po nating ipagwalang bahala ang mga ganitong bagay dahil buhay at kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan ang nakasalalay rito,” Abalos said.
The DILG chief added; “ang mga simpleng fire safety protocol tulad ng pag-unplug ng mga appliances na hindi ginagamit; hindi pag-iiwan ng bukas na kalan; regular na pagsusuri sa tangke ng liquefied petroleum gas o LPG; at pag-iimbak ng mga bagay na madaling masunog sa ligtas na lokasyon ay ilan lamang sa mga paraan upang mapanatiling ligtas kontra sunog ang mga tahanan.”
