Bacolod City – A resolution urging all barangays to adopt preventive measures in view of the alarming cases of grassfires and enjoining the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) to intensify responses under the “Adopt-A- Red Zone” Program, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod recently.
Authored by Councilor Em Ang, the resolution said there has been an alarming increase in grassfire incidents in Bacolod City, posing risk to public safety, property, and the environment.
Investigations by the BFP-Bacolod indicate that the majority of these grassfires are preventable, stemming primarily from improperly discarded cigarette butts, unattended controlled burning in subdivisions, and the illegal open burning of garbage or dry leaves, it said.
The Bacolod City government recently launched the Fire Response Summit and the “Adopt-a-Red Zone” program last March, identifying over 300 fire-prone areas and empowering Community Fire Auxiliary Groups (CFAGs) to serve as first responders, the resolution said.
Bacolod City is currently experiencing extreme heat, severely drying out vegetation and open lands, making them highly susceptible to rapid ignition and posing serious threat to nearby residential areas, it said.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is therefore urging all barangays councils in Bacolod City to conduct immediate and regular clearing operations of dry grass, debris, and combustible materials in vacant lots, open spaces, and residential subdivisions within their respective jurisdictions.
It also enjoins the BFP and DRRMO to intensify responses under the “Adopt-a-Red Zone” program; and urge all barangay officials and the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) to strictly implement and penalize violations against open burning of garbage, dry leaves, and agricultural waste in accordance with R.A. 9003 and existing local ordinances.
The SP further directs the Bacolod City Public Information Office (PIO), thru the Office of the City Mayor, in coordination with the BFP-Bacolod, to launch a massive, city-wide information and education campaign on fire prevention, emphasizing the safe disposal of cigarettes and the dangers of unattended rubbish fires. (Chrysee Semillano via tvds photo by AMFB)