Kidapawan firefighters march along streets to make Philippines fire-safety

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Firefighters were not in a firefighting mode when they marched along the streets here, on Thursday. They brought with them placards with safety tips written on them.The rally is the kickoff activity for the month-long observance of Fire Prevention, according to city fire marshal, Fire Senior Inspector Marjorie Resurreccion of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).She explained the nationwide mass action is an advocacy rally intended to reduce destruction caused by fires and to make Philippines a fire-safe nation.Joining the firefighters were fire volunteers, including the academe, senior citizens and out-of-school youth.In Kidapawan City, the BFP has recorded at least six fire incidents since January this year.Most of these were caused by faulty electrical wiring, BFP reports said.Last week, Resurreccion appeared before the city council’s regular session where she discussed about the fire safety inspection her office had been doing since January.Resurreccion disclosed that many of the business establishments in the city failed to comply fire safety measures as part of the requirement under Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines.Many of which are malls, grocery centers, and hotels, which failed to get this year fire safety inspection certificate from her office, she said.The BFP official said they are mandated to strictly implement the law and strengthen campaigns in order to prevent destructive fires.