The Provincial Fire Director’s data said at least P52M-worth of the property was lost to fire incidence in 2020, but it had gone down to Php 31 million in 2021. Koronadal City and Polomolok have the most fire incidences. Electrical fire and kitchen fire are the most common cause of fire in the province.
SFO 1 Philip Chan said that the efforts in connecting and communicating with the public about fire hazards had statistically improved the cases in South Cotabato. From 2020 to 2021, there were 115 fire occurrences in the province, but the extent of damages was low at around Php 20 million. In March 2020, there were 13 fire occurrences, and it decreased to three in the same month in 2021.
FO3 Marco Angelo Castillo said, “… Ang sunog hindi lang man para ina sa Bureau of Fire, it is a collaborative team effort between sang Bureau of Fire kag sang aton nga local community man.”
The BFP continues to reach and educate people about fire hazards despite the pandemic through virtual seminars.
With a theme, “Sa Pag-iwas sa sunog hindi ka nag iisa,” the Bureau of Fire Protection held a press conference in the Provincial Government of South Cotabato to decrease the province’s fire occurrence by 8%.
March is Fire and Safety Prevention Awareness Month.
(With reports from Claire Claverias, PIO Intern)
