Senator Win Gatchalian called on local government units and their communities to exercise vigilance to prevent fire incidents amid prevailing warm weather conditions due to the El Niño phenomenon.
The senator made the statement as he conducted relief operations in 4 different communities in Metro Manila recently affected by fire incidents.
“We need to equip our people to be more vigilant so they can effectively protect their own communities from fire incidents and prevent property loss and damage. The LGUs play a critical role in this campaign,” Gatchalian said.
He emphasized that there is no room for complacency, especially as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned the public of the possibility of even hotter weather this month.
“Hindi dapat tayo maging kampante. Dapat tuloy-tuloy ang ating paghahanda para maiwasan ang mga sunog sa ating lugar,” he said.
In particular, the senator distributed sacks of rice in Isla F. Manalo, Barangay Batis, San Juan, where 194 families lost their homes in a fire incident last April 16th.
He also distributed rice to 662 families in Barangay 105, Tondo, Manila affected by a fire last March 22, which razed about 140 houses. In nearby Barangay 107, also in Tondo, Gatchalian distributed rice to about 66 families affected by another fire just 2 days after the fire in Barangay 105 on March 24.
A separate relief operation was spearheaded by Gatchalian in Barangay Elias Adarna in Las Piñas City, benefitting 200 families affected by a fire incident last March 5.
