• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Negros Occidental has logged a total of 733 fire incidents across the province from January this year up to November 30.
Officer-in-charge FSupt. Jenny Mae Masip disclosed the leading causes of fire incidents involved improper disposal of smoking materials, electrical ignition from loose wiring, and open flames from cooking.
In response, authorities are now intensifying safety campaigns, particularly in preparation for the holiday season.
Masip urged the public to buy and use electric Christmas decorations approved by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ensure that they have met safety and precautionary standards.
To focus on implementing holiday safety measures, the BFP will halt its building inspections for business establishments that are renewing their permits starting December 15 until January 2, as they placed their forces on heightened alert status.
Meanwhile, all BFP personnel were not allowed to go on leave. The measure is aimed at making the firefighters available when emergency strikes during the observance of holiday celebrations.
Masip noted that the province logged only one firecracker-related incident so far this year, which was in Binalbagan, compared to six cases in 2024, four of which occurred in Bacolod City.
“We are hoping that through stronger community awareness and proactive monitoring, we can maintain or even reduce firecracker-related incidents this year,” Masip said.
To bolster fire safety efforts, the Bacolod City Council has passed a resolution directing all city offices and the 61 barangays to intensify information drives under “Oplan Kontra Paputok.” The measure aims to curb injuries, fires, and property damage commonly associated with holiday revelry.
The BFP is expected to heighten its visibility and inspection activities as the province moves into peak holiday weeks, when fire incidents typically surge.*
