Senator Win Gatchalian called for increased vigilance in response to the growing number of fire incidents this year, citing a 40 percent increase compared to last year.

Gatchalian specifically referred to the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) report, which recorded 9,568 fire incidents from January to May this year, compared to the same period last year.

Gatchalian distributed 528 sacks of 50-kilogram rice to fire victims from 2 separate fire incidents in Bacoor, Cavite. On August 7, a fire razed about 600 houses in Sitio Wawa in Barangay Zapote 3. Another fire broke out in Sitio Kanluran, Barangay Zapote III, Bacoor Cavite on September 10 which destroyed over 800 houses made of light materials and affected at least 1,000 families.

“Ang pinsalang dulot ng sunog ay umaabot sa pagkawala ng ari-arian, kabuhayan, at kaligtasan, kaya’t mahalaga ang ibayong pag-iingat at kahandaan upang maiwasan ang trahedyang ito,” Gatchalian emphasized.

The senator further noted that fire prevention programs should be strengthened, particularly in areas where houses are densely built. “Kapag nagsimula ang sunog sa mga lugar na ito, marami sa ating kababayan ang naaapektuhan dahil mabilis kumalat ang apoy,” he added.