BAGUIO CITY — A total of 54 structural fires were recorded by the Baguio City Fire Station (BCFS) last year representing a 31.70 percent increase as compared to 41 in 2016 while there was a 29.41 percent decrease in non-structural fires (grass, forest and vehicular) in the Summer Capital for the same period.
This was revealed by City Fire Marshall Nestor Gorio in Monday’s flag-raising rites at City Hall during the launching of National Fire Prevention Month with the theme, “Ligtas na Pilipinas ang ating Hangad, Pag-iingat sa Sunog ay sa Sarili Ipatupad”, led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and other officials.
Gorio said the BCFS conducts annual fire safety inspections on all existing building and business establishments in the city including those that are still under construction and is a requirement in securing business permits and renewals.
In 2017, his office recorded a 9.44 percent increase in the number of inspected buildings and business renewals including the number of issued fire safety inspection certificates.
Gorio said that due to the intensified implementation of the Fire Code of the Philippines of RA 9514, there was a 15.38 percent increase in the amount of fire code fees collected since last year.
He added that as part of the agency’s zealous efforts for zero-fire incidents, a total of 66 fire brigades in the community were organized and trained in 2017 and there was an increase of 16.53 percent certificates of competency issued as compared to 2016.
By: Gaby Keith
