• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is enjoining all punong barangays in the city of Bacolod and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to mobilize the community response team (CERT) to strictly monitor all open grass fields that are potential fire hazards within their area of jurisdiction, and to take precautionary measures to prevent grass fires.
The resolution authored by Councilor Claudio Puentevella said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that El Niño remains active and is expected to persist until May 2024.
The Bureau of Fire Protection – Bacolod has recorded a total of 205 fire calls as of March, where 130 were grass fires, five sugarcane, 15 residential, five commercial, 20 electrical posts, 26 rubbish, and three vehicular, it said.
On April 2, several grass fires were recorded and responded to by the BFP Bacolod, DRRMO, and various fire volunteers in the City of Bacolod.*
