MANILA: The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Friday assured the public that there are enough fire trucks that would be deployed during New Year revelries.
In a press briefing on Friday, BFP spokesperson Supt. Analee Atienza said their fire trucks are strategically located in public places all over the country and that they would work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in keeping the holiday season safe.
Atienza also assured that enough BFP personnel and well-conditioned fire trucks are now deployed in strategic places especially in Metro Manila citing the valuable contributions of the ‘force multipliers’ which are the fire volunteers.
She appealed to the public to just watch the fireworks displays in the designated areas of their communities with the BFP and other agencies trying their best to zero in on a much safer New Year’s day celebration.
Atienza also said the BFP expressed overwhelming support to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for local government units (LGUs) to set up a common area in their respective localities for a fireworks display during New Year revelries to ensure public safety this coming New Year.
Atienza stressed the big impact of the President’s order since it has been proven that in 2021 and so far in 2022 there have been ‘zero fire incidents related to firecrackers’ when the LGUs totally banned their use in residential areas.
She noted that the BFP has continued to be visible to enhance the public’s awareness of preventing fire incidents to welcome the New Year.
Despite the government’s efforts to maintain public safety in the New Year’s day celebration, Atienza admitted that tracking down illegal fireworks sellers remains a challenge as they are mostly stored and sold inside residences.
“Ang hindi po talaga natin masubaybayan, to be honest po, is this illegal selling na minsan ay nakatago po sa mga residential houses, residential areas. And iyon naman po ang nagiging malaking dagok sa ating pagsalubong ng Bagong Taon sa mga ganitong iligal na gawain (What we can’t really monitor, to be honest, is this illegal selling that is sometimes done in residential houses, residential areas. And that’s a big blow to while welcoming the New Year with such illegal activities),” she stressed.
Marcos made the call to reduce the incidence of firecracker-related injuries in the country.
“Ang gawin na lang natin ay (What I will do is) I will enjoin the LGUs, instead of allowing our people to have their own firecrackers, gumawa na lang kayo ng magandang fireworks display para sa inyong mga constituent (just organize fireworks display for your constituents),” he said in a chance interview after leading the distribution of Christmas gifts and livelihood aid to children and families in Manila.
Marcos also asked Filipinos to refrain from using illegal firecrackers to avoid injuries.
This, as he warned against the dangers and health effects of reckless and indiscriminate use of firecrackers.
“Huwag muna tayong magpaputok at alam naman natin kung minsan delikado ‘yan. Lalo ngayon at maglalabas sila ng mga paputok na hindi natin alam kung saan galing, kung maayos ang pagkagawa (Let us avoid the use of firecrackers as we all know that some times it can be dangerous, especially now that there are illegal traders and we are not sure of their origin and quality),” Marcos said
Source: Philippines News Agency