• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolodnons are urged to be fire-safety conscious, as the Bureau of Fire Protection-Bacolod tagged 119 puroks as “red-zone” areas.
These include 10 puroks of Barangay Handumanan, nine each in barangays Tangub, Banago, Taculing, and Mandalagan, eight puroks of Brgy. Bata, seven in Estefania, six in Sum-ag, five in Brgy. Granada, four each in Brgys. 1, Villamonte, and Cabug, three each in Singcang, Pahanocoy and Brgy. 8, two each in Brgys. 2, 6, 10, and Punta Taytay, and one purok each in Brgys. 3, 4, 7, 12, 14, 16, 26-28, 30, 31, 34, 35, 39-41, Mansilingan, and Alijis.
“The alarming surge of fire incidents in our city, especially in ‘red-zone areas’, numbering 119 puroks, with difficulty to navigate narrow pathways, increases the need (for the public) to engage and be educated on the importance of collaborative effort to achieve a fire safe community,” Bacolod Councilor Psyche Marie Sy said.
Sy, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Fire, Social Defense, and Natural Disasters, authored a resolution declaring the observance of Fire Prevention Month this March, and enjoining Bacolodnons to advocate for a fire safety community.
The annual observance, pursuant to proclamations 115-A and 360 in 1986, “serves as a powerful strategy to engage and educate the community on the importance of fire safety.
“The initiative aims to visually capture attention through different activities that involve community engagement, education, and partnership building by incorporating seminars, workshops and demonstrations, that will empower the community with knowledge and skills necessary to prevent fires and respond immediately during emergencies,” the resolution, approved recently by the SP, said.
Sy, who spoke at the Fire Prevention Month kickoff activity initiated by the BFP-Bacolod March 1, stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination of public and private sectors to make Bacolod a fire safe city.
She urged the public to participate in programs and activities that aim to foster community engagement and raise awareness on the importance of fire safety.
These include a roadshow and exhibit for kids at SM City Bacolod on March 15 and 16, 2nd Mayor Albee Benitez Fire Olympics – Fireman’s Challenge with Barangay Community Fire Auxiliary Group at the Old Airport in Brgy. Singcang on March 18, and an awareness tarpaulin campaign in the barangays and the 119 “red zones”, among others. | CGC
