BAGUIO CITY, Monday March 21– The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-CAR) reported that during the first two months of this year, they have already recorded 35 fire incidents in Cordillera, which is a decrease compared to the 103 cases recorded during the same period in 2010.

This was affirmed by BFP-CAR Fire Safety Enforcement Section assistant chief SFO1Josesito Dollente, during the “PIA Hour” radio program over DZWT, Thursday.

According to Dollente, most of the fire cases reported this year happened in residences. A total of 19 of the 29 structural fire cases they recorded are residential types. Other are grass/rubbish or forest fires with five cases, and one case involved a motor vehicle.

In response to fire incidents, Dollente said there is better coordination between the BFP, volunteer fire brigades, and the local government units (LGUs).

In terms of equipment and personnel, Dollente admitted that BFP-CAR remains to be among the smallest units compared to the other regions. Of the 76 cities and municipalities in Cordillera, there are only 32 established fire stations.

Dollente reiterated the BFP’s call for support from the different local chief executives (LCEs) in the establishments of fire stations in their municipalities, either through the purchasing of fire trucks or by providing the quarters for the firemen.

Dollente also called on the LCEs’ support in the implementation of Republic Act 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, as it is one of the primary goals of the said law to improve and modernize the BFP.

Another important support the LCEs could give the BFP is in adhering to the RA 9514 provisions where vit says that it should be the bureau that is mandated to collect Fire Code Fees, which is currently not being implemented throughout the region.

Dollente explained that the share of the BFP and the LGU, as far as the Fire Code fees is concerned, remains the same, though if totally implemented it would expedite the modernization of the BFP.

In preparation for the summer season and in line with the commemoration of Fire Prevention Month this March, Dolente also affirmed that they have intensified their fire safety campaign but affirms that, “Fire prevention and responding to fire incident work does not start and end with the celebration of Fire Prevention Month but a whole year continuous work and we need the support of the LGUs and the local communities in such endeavor.” * (PIA CAR)