LUNA APAYAO – The 2nd Apayao Provincial Fire Olympics will be held on June 25, 2015 at the Apayao Ecotourism and Sports Complex, San Gregorio here.
“This activity aims to spool encouragement to the fire-fighters in delivering humane service despite the limited funds we have,” said Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Deputy Provincial Fire Marshall, Insp. Delfin G. Español in a radio interview last Wednesday at the Nutri-Eskwela radio station administered by the Apayao State College (ASC).
The said Fire Olympics will be attended by seven participating municipalities comprising 11 members in a team coming from the Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigade (BVFB) led by one personnel of the Bureau.
Among the activities to be contested will be the bucket relay, fire extinguisher relay—passing of 10lbs extinguisher across obstacles—and busted hose connection. Prices will include equipments all coming from the Apayao 1st District Rep. Leah Bulut-Begtang.
Meanwhile, Accidental and structural cases are two of the leading causes of fire incidents in Apayao.
“There were only five fire incidents from January to May of this year; not even a half of the thirteen cases of 2014. What’s alarming about this year, is that for the first five months, there has been a 50% increase of damage to property amounting to P 1, 048, 800 compared to last year’s half a million stature,” Español said expressing his anxiety.
“Masapul ngarud nga adda panagannad ken panagalibtak tapno makaliklik tayo manipud iti nadangkes nga uram kas panangarakup tayo iti panagdur-as,” said he during an interview.
In the province, there are 5 fire stations installed particularly in the municipalities Luna, Sta. Marcela, Flora, Conner and Kabugao bringing about service to neighbouring towns as far as Sanchez Mira, Pamplona, Ballesteros and to account the Alvin Cinema Fire incident in Tuguegarao where BFP-Apayao rendered service to.
Compared to other provinces however, Apayao has slimmer chances of fire incidence since the it is a rural community where big and confined establishments do not exist.—By JAYLORD AGPULDO
