- MITCH M. LIPA
A motorcade, recorida, and sirens resonating from the fire trucks, ambulances and rescue vehicles around the downtown area highlighted the start of Bacolod City’s Fire Prevention Month this March.
The kick-off event was led by Fire Chief Inspector Rodel Legaspi.
A liturgical mass officiated by Fr. Roy Christian Gesulgon and attended by personnel of the Negros Occidental Fire Marshal’s office headed by Chief Inspector Kim Celisio was also held.
This year’s FPM observance is themed, “Sa Pag-Iwas Sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa!”.
In a short program at the BFP Bacolod Station, lawyer Annabelle Corral-Respall, director of Securities and Exchange Commission-Bacolod, who was the keynote speaker, discussed anti-investment scams and shared tips to firefighters on differentiating between true investments versus fraud.
The program was participated by 130 BFP personnel from eight fire stations in the city.
Other activities lined up for the week are tree-planting and barangay orientations on fire prevention tips.
In San Carlos City, a motorcade was also held to kick off the month-long observance.
Acting City Fire Marshall Marilou Dela Cruz said an exhibit is being held at the City Mall displaying BFP photos, uniforms and equipment as part of the celebration.
The BFP personnel, she added, will visit firefighting resources, including hydrants and below ground standpipes to check on their working condition.
Dela Cruz also urged city residents to cooperate with the firefighters through their own daily means to avoid causing fire as she assure them that BFP is ready to serve the community anytime.
Also participating in the motorcade were Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the city PNP, San Carlos Bioenergy Inc., San Carlos BioPower and the local Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Association. – MML
