The Bureau of Fire Mati kicked off its month-long observance of the 54th Fire Prevention Month this March with a program at the Emmanuel Pelaez Activity Center inside the Mati City Hall Grounds.
This year’s theme is “Matuto Ka! Sunog Iwasan Na”.
In the simple opening ceremony held after Monday’s flag ceremony, City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat expressed gratitude to the firefighers of Mati for their dedication and service to the people of Mati.
Mayor Michelle admitted feeling indebted to the City of Mati’s Bureau of Fire Protection after they saved her business from being entirely gutted by fire several years back.
The lady mayor said that BFP Mati would always have a special place in her heart for that incident.
Fire officials meanwhile reminded the public to observe the fire safety tips:
- Do not leave lighted candles behind. Keep lighted candles and mosquito coils away from bed, curtains and other easily combustible materials
- Do not leave the stove unattended
- Unplug appliances before leaving the house
- Dispose off cigarettes properly
- Farm owners and tenants must avoid burning grass (kaingin)
Before Monday’s program, BFP Mati had a thanksgiving mass followed by a motorcade.
The opening program was attended by Mayor Michelle, Vice Governor Niño Uy, City Local Government Operations Officer Joseph Porgatorio, other community-based organizations with the collaboration of Bureau of Fire-Office of the Provincial Marshal, Special Rescue Unit, Dahican Sub-station and Mati City Fire Station.
In 2019, the biggest fire incident in the city was the Andravel fire in February. Two small fire incidents were also recorded in the Tourism Complex and LBC Mati.
This year, BFP Mati already recorded two incidents — grass and garbage fire at the landfill and copra drier fire in Barangay Sainz. (CIO MATI)