Three senators have called for more efforts to intensify fire awareness to prevent the loss of lives and properties as the nation observes fire prevention month this March.
Senators Bong Go, Win Gatchalian, and Robin Padilla also reminded the public to practice fire safety precautions at home and at work to avoid the occurrence of fire.
Go urged the government to remain steadfast to improve fire response efforts, including the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and raising awareness through fire prevention education campaigns.
He cited that the BFP is currently undergoing a 10-year modernization program under Republic Act No. 11589, otherwise known as the BFP Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored.
The Act shall enable the agency to respond faster and more effectively to fire-related incidents in the country as the mandated modernization program includes procuring new fire equipment, expanding manpower, and conducting specialized training for firefighters, among others.
Furthermore, it also mandates the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units.
Gatchalian, the principal author of the LPG Industry Regulation Act, reminded consumers anew of the proper handling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to prevent fire. A little over 50% of households depend on LPG for their daily cooking needs.
RA 11592 aims to fill in regulatory gaps in the industry, including ensuring the removal of unsafe tanks from circulation to prevent LPG fire-related incidents.
The law also institutionalizes the cylinder exchange and swapping program to allow consumers to bring any brand of empty LPG cylinder to any retail outlet and use it to purchase another brand of LPG cylinder carried by the retail outlet.
The LPG Cylinder Improvement Program, meanwhile, the senator noted, ensures the quality of all LPG cylinders in circulation to protect consumers.
The senator also said that appropriate fire prevention campaigns, particularly in depressed areas, would enable residents to effectively address fire hazards and deal with such incidents effectively. Padilla echoed the calls of Go and Gatchalian.