The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officially launched its Fire Prevention Month activities on Monday with a high-profile kick-off ceremony at the Puerto Princesa City Fire Station, marked by a massive show of force from provincial leadership and inter-agency partners.
The event commenced with the “Simultaneous Blaring of Fire Engine Sirens,” a coordinated tradition among fire stations nationwide to signal the start of intensified fire safety awareness. City Fire Marshal FSINSP Rupert Christian G. Balicol led the proceedings under the direct supervision of the Office of the Provincial Fire Marshal (OPFM), headed by FSUPT Jude D. Sumeg-ang.
City Administrator Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, representing Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, attended as the Guest of Honor. In his address, Pedrosa underscored the necessity of proactive fire prevention and the vital role of discipline in maintaining urban safety as the city continues to expand.
The ceremony served as a demonstration of “unified command,” drawing participation from a broad spectrum of the Disaster Response Cluster. Uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) joined BFP ranks to signify inter-agency solidarity.
Local emergency response was further represented by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the DILG, and the NCCC Emergency Action Team. Highlighting the importance of community-level intervention, the Community Fire Auxiliary Groups (CFAG) from Barangay Bancao-Bancao and Barangay San Pedro also took part in the mobilization.
BFP Palawan officials stated that the presence of the Provincial Fire Marshal’s office during the city-level kick-off was intended to strengthen inter-station coordination and standardize emergency response protocols across the province.
Throughout the month of March, the BFP is scheduled to conduct intensified fire safety inspections, community drills, and educational campaigns to reduce fire incidents in high-risk residential and commercial zones.