BFP bans Sky Lanterns this yuletide season

• Source: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1016432
• Thursday, December 27, 2018

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) announces its total ban of selling or using Sky Lanterns as fireworks this yuletide season.

BFP Inspector Arnolfo Nabua of Cagayan de Oro City explained so many areas in our community have roofs that are prone to fire, not yet made up of concrete or corrugated metal sheet. If it happens, the drops from the Sky Lantern could cause fire.

In Talakayan sa PIA, media forum with the Task Force Oplan: Iwas Paputok in Cagayan de Oro City, Nabua said the goal of BFP is total eradication of fire incidents during yuletide season.

“If not totally eradicated, ma minimize man lang. – If not totally eradicated, at least up to a minimal,” he added.

We have Oplan Paalala Iwas Paputok, campaign about fire safety, Nabua said. These include lectures and conduct of recorrida of fire trucks, roving around the city to share the information.

“Busy ang Bureau of Fire mag conduct og inspection kung asa nato gidesignate nato nang magbaligya anang fireworks or firecrackers. – The Bureau of Fire is busy with inspection of fireworks and firecrackers at designated areas in the city,” Nabua said.

As of now, BFP clarified “no fire from firecrackers related incident.”

In the past two years, there was one casualty from firework fire related incident in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.

This year, he said, there have been 376 fire incidents with damage of P83 million in the region.

"In Cagayan de Oro, from January up to December, based on our records," he said "there had been 64 fire incidents and aggregate damage of P16 million."

Most of these fires are caused by electrical faults, he said.

Last year, there were P26 million aggregate damage. He explained the trend has been decreasing since last year because of their strategy called “swarming.”

Wherever the fire is located, a nearby station would immediately respond. He added, they have fire volunteers from auxiliaries who can also respond. This would prevent the spread of fire.

He also urged the media to report any fire incident at their hotline numbers: (088) 727580 extension: 160 or through their mobile number: 09267520623 or with the City’s hotline 911.

This campaign is for public safety and to celebrate Christmas and New Year Peacefully, he explained.

Meanwhile the Philippine National Police (PNP) in region 10 is on full alert status.