76 fires engulf Mountain Prov forests, watersheds

By Andrew Doga-ong

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A total of 76 fire incidents mostly forest or grass fires damaged P7, 679,400 worth of flora and fauna including properties in the province recently.

Bureau of Fire officials reported this saying this capital town of Bontoc registered highest number of forest fires with 29 among 10 towns of the province.

Seven fire incidents were recorded from January to Feb. 25.

Local officials and concerned individuals have been calling for  protection and preservation of  foest covers from further denudation caused by forest fires.

They said the green sceneries and vegetative covers are some of the natural come-ons of the province aside from being one of the watershed cradles of Northern Luzon.

For this, BFP outfits in the province launched fire prevention and fire safety campaign activities in observance of the Fire Prevention Month this March.

Based on the program of activities, the observance will kick-off with a “Walk for a Fire-Free and a Fire-Safe Nation” was held March 1 here.

Provincial Fire Marshal Fire Chief Inspector Floyd Toyokan together with the municipal fire marshals led the participants to include firefighters, fire volunteers, public servants, non-governmental organizations, students and other interested individuals.

The walk started 5 a.m. at Sitio Kalonglong, Samoki and ended at Bilibid, Upper Calluttit.

On March 5, the Bontoc Fire Station will held fun run or “Takbo Laban sa Sunog 2016” at the BFP-Bontoc Station, sitio Loc-ong, Bontoc Poblacion.

Using the Bontoc – Mainit Provincial road as route, participants converges at Mount Chata, a mountain over-looking the four central barangays of Bontoc, to listen to lectures on fire prevention and fire safety tips.

In Monday’s flag raising ceremony, Provincial Administrator Johnny Lausan enjoined the support of the government employees to the fun run activity of the BFP.

For the whole month of March, firemen will also be guesting in radio programs to discuss the importance of fire safety and prevention.

There will also be fire prevention games and contest in selected schools to be simultaneously conducted by the municipal fire stations.

There is the need to continuously instill awareness of the community on the importance of fire safety and fire prevention to avoid the occurrence of destructive fires, said Fire Officer I Jenry Layagan of the BFP Provincial Office.