Pagadian City – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 9 together with its Provincial and District Offices, City and Municipal Fire Stations, and Subs-Stations activates the OPLAN SEMANA SANTA and Lakbay Alalay 2022 in harmony with the other government agencies to promote a safe and peaceful observance of Semana Santa 2022 and ensure public safety and assistance to all travelers during the long-weekend celebration.
This is in consonance with the directive from the Office of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government reiterated by F/CSUPT Renato Badong Marcial, Regional Director, BFP Region 9 to establish communication with the respective Local Peace and Order Councils for planning, anticipating, and preparing for the heavy movement of people from various places, that should focus on ensuring the availability of adequate public transportation, emergency services, with peace, order and public safety as the highest priority; establish close coordination with the other concerned local and security and safety authorities; participate in the mobilization of assets as force multipliers, and implement other necessary measures to ensure the peaceful and safe observance of Semana Santa 2022.
Alongside, the RDRRMC IX Memorandum No. 9 s. 2022 signed by Ramon M. Ochotorena, Regional Director, OCD IX/Chairperson, RDRRMC IX raising the alert level to Blue Status at the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Council (RDRRMOC) and the activation of the virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Oplan Semana Santa dated 05 April 2022 was one of the references. Blue Alert Status was raised for the whole duration of the Lenten Season from April 13-18, 2022 to ensure a safe and peaceful observance, as well as endure strict adherence to minimum public health standards in places of mass gathering.
Furthermore, all Provincial and District Offices together with all the City and Municipal Fire Station and Sub-Stations are directed by SUPT ELIAS L BAGUIO III, Chief, Operations Division to be on standby and monitoring mode for any untoward incident during this period. All units already posted tarpaulins and other informative materials for public benefit.
Standby units are also available for further deployment in case of any untoward incidents related to this activity, you can directly report to your nearest fire station or any command post available in your area or contact our Fire Control Operations Section at cellphone number 0917-771-9250.
(Source: BFP9 Public Information unit, photo courtesy of BFP9)