Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has ordered intensified emergency response measures in 119 Red Zones in Bacolod City identified by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
He issued the order amid the increase in fires in Bacolod, many of which have been grassfires, and the dry spell brought on by the El Niño phenomenon, Benitez said on Wednesday night, February 14.
There have been 46 fire incidents in Bacolod City from January 1 to February 13, causing P8,911,000 in damage, the BFP reported.
There were 30 fires in January and 16 in February, it added.
The BFP also reported that of the 46 fires, 20 were residential.
Red zones are thickly populated areas with narrow pathways that make it difficult for firefighters and their fire trucks to enter.
Benitez met with the Bacolod BFP and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office officials to discuss mitigating measures at the Mayor’s Office on Tuesday, February 13.
They discussed the possible installation of underground fire hydrants at the center of red zones to make it easier for firefighters to put out fires but they also have to determine if residents of such areas are informal settlers, he said.
If they are informal settlers then they can transfer to the city’s relocation sites, Benitez said.
Information boards will also be put up at the red zones’ entrances warning residents to take precautions against fires to strengthen their prevention campaign, he said.
The mayor also urged the BFP to continue coordinating with the city government for the mapping of the red zones.
Tapping of more fire prevention volunteers was also recommended.*