Senator Win Gatchalian called on local government units (LGUs) to prioritize building fire-resilient communities, emphasizing the urgency of addressing fire incidents as they continue to pose a significant challenge nationwide.
Gatchalian emphasized the need for LGUs to implement a multi-pronged initiative aimed at reducing fire incidents and increasing public awareness. This includes fire prevention education, access to safety tools, and integrating fire safety drills into regular school curriculum activities to educate every member of the community.
“There should be collaboration among local government units to enhance firefighting resources and response times especially in underserved areas,” Gatchalian said, as he extended aid to fire victims in Bacoor, Cavite and Sampaloc, Manila.
In Bacoor, Cavite, more than 200 families lost their homes in a fire along Waling-Waling St., Barangay Zapote I on January 13. Gatchalian’s office distributed 300 rice bags, each containing 10 kilograms of rice, amounting to P114,000.
Meanwhile, in Barangay 458 in Sampaloc, Manila, a fire on January 16 affected about 500 families. Gatchalian provided 400 rice bags, valued at P152,000, to the victims.
“Higit pa sa agarang tulong na ating ibinibigay, layon nating tiyakin na maiwasan ang ganitong mga klase ng sakuna sa hinaharap. Mahalagang mabigyan ng sapat na kaalaman at kasanayan ang bawat residente, pati na mga kabataan, upang malaman nila ang tamang mga hakbang para sa fire prevention nang sa gayon ay mapanatiling ligtas ang kanilang mga tahanan at komunidad,” Gatchalian said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) also reported a series of fire incidents resulting in significant property damage and displacement. On January 21, a warehouse fire in Barangay 254, Sta. Cruz, Manila caused an estimated P8 million in damages. Earlier, on January 20, a cold storage facility in Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue, Brgy. Del Monte, Quezon City, caught fire. In Mandaluyong City, a January 19 residential fire left two people injured.
