Fire safety is every Filipino’s responsibility.
This is the rallying message of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año to the public as the nation observes Fire Prevention Month this March.
DILG Secretary Año said that while the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has already come a long way in its fire prevention and safety program, fire safety isn’t the work of the bureau alone.
“Fire Protection Month is the time of the year when we are at our most visible, let us use this attention, harness it to our full advantage to tap as many Filipinos as we can to channel the fact that fire prevention doesn’t rest solely in our care, on the firefighters’ shoulder, but is everyone’s responsibility,” says Año.
He urged firefighters to fight “fire with fire” highlighting their burning passion and commitment to keep Filipinos safe against the danger destructive fire brings.
“May your vigor as the primary defenders against the peril of fire, fly as high as our vision of seeing a Philippines far from the tragedy of losing lives because of fire. Let us fight fire with fire, the fire that burns our passion to keep our fellowmen out of harm’s way,” he said.
BFP Spokesperson F/Supt Joanne Vallejo said that the Bureau recognizes the role of every individual in achieving fire safety and explains that this year’s theme “Ligtas na Pilipinas ang ating hangad, pag-iingat sa sunog ay sa sarili ipatupad” is an encouragement that every Filipino must be responsible in keeping a fire-safe environment.
“Fire safety begins in ourselves. We can make the Philippines achieve greater progress and we can make it a better place to live in when we all give fire safety paramount importance,” said Vallejo.
Among the activities lined up this month are “Berong Bombero sa Paaralan”, a nationwide education campaign in all elementary schools advocating for fire safety awareness among the youth; 1st Fire Safety Expo exhibiting winners in various fire prevention competitions nationwide; One Team: One Color, a fun run to be participated in by BFP regional Offices, provincial, city/municipal fire stations; and Bike for a Cause.
