Fighting flames, saving lives — A Fireman’s Motto
AS the entire Philippines observe Fire Prevention Month beginning tomorrow, March 1, the Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas (ABP) party-list group joins the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the citizenry in promoting this year’s theme “Sa Pamayanang Nagdadamayan, Sunog ay Maiiwasan.”
Just last night, a fire broke out before dawn in a residential area in Putok 4 and 5 of Barangay 28 near our home in Barangay 33 in Maypajo, Caloocan City.
The fire quickly spread, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to raise the second alarm. Eight firetrucks responded but had difficulty getting into the fire zone due to the vehicles that were illegally parked in the area.
Although no one was reported hurt in the incident, several residents who sought temporary shelter in the barangay hall lamented they were not able to save any of their belongings. It is in this kind of unfortunate situation that the ABP is stressing the importance of preparedness to ensure the safety of the public.
In an interview, ABP president and the party-list’s first nominee Jose Antonio ‘Ka Pep’ Goitia stressed the need for preparedness as the summer months bring in dry days that often ignite more fires due to the heat.
Goitia’s group is now steadily gaining support while climbing the top 20 list of organizations vying for a seat in the House of Representatives.
ABP is at 14th spot in the list released by the survey group Tangere and Goitia feels it will get to be among the top 10 as its political platform aims to genuinely promote a legislative agenda that will focus on the welfare of our firefighters and rescuers who lay their lives on the line to safeguard the citizenry in all times of peril and disasters.
But that is not the only goal ABP and Goitia have in mind. The promotion of economic reforms and the elimination of corruption in government are aspects of legislation the group and its first nominee is wanting to initiate in order for true development and progress is achieved for the more than 110 million Filipinos whose voices desiruously want to be heard in the next Congress.
Goitia also expressed agreement with Fire Marshal Senior Superintendent Melanie Habawel’s statement that emphasized the importance of the BFP’s campaign to strengthen public awareness about fire prevention and safety.
ABP’s first nominee pointed out in Pilipino: “Kailangan talaga ating maging laging handa. Mahalaga po na ang lahat ay ligtas sa harap ng mga sakuna tulad sunog. Kami sa ABP ay organisado rito at ang bawat volunteer firefighter at rescue na aming kasapi ay handang rumesponde 24/7 sa lahat ng emergency.”
However, apart from readiness to respond to any situation, Goitia also highlighted the need to enhance the benefits afforded to firefighters and rescuers who are the frontliners in disaster response and are always ready to put their lives on the line for the welfare and safety of every Filipino.
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