FIRE INCIDENTS have persistently threatened the safety and livelihood of communities in Western Visayas, underlining the need for more stringent enforcement of fire safety regulations. In Iloilo Province, the ongoing campaign urging residents to observe preventive measures is timely and smart. However, meaningful change requires not just reminders but rigorous enforcement of compliance with fire safety standards.
As we observe Fire Prevention Month, commemorating the establishment of the Bureau of Fire Protection in 1991, it is important to evaluate how effectively local institutions, businesses, and households are complying with essential safety regulations. Fire safety is a shared obligation that significantly impacts community well-being. Businesses, especially, must rigorously enforce safety standards in workplaces, regularly inspect electrical systems, ensure proper storage of flammable materials, and provide consistent employee training on emergency protocols. Similarly, residents must actively integrate fire safety practices into daily life — unplugging unused devices, safely storing hazardous materials, and establishing clear and practiced evacuation plans.
Although awareness initiatives are commendable, mere reminders are insufficient when lives and properties remain vulnerable due to lax implementation of established safety protocols.
Fire prevention must move beyond annual campaigns toward concrete, sustained enforcement. The government must prioritize regular inspections of residential and commercial buildings, ensuring compliance with fire safety codes. Inspection reports must not just gather dust in file cabinets but trigger immediate corrective actions, supported by appropriate penalties for non-compliance.
Moreover, accountability mechanisms must be enhanced, clearly delineating responsibilities across local governments, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and private institutions. The public must also be empowered and encouraged to report safety violations without fear of reprisal, making community participation an integral part of enforcement efforts.
With fire incidents escalating during the dry season, now is the perfect opportunity to bolster efforts. Active enforcement, stringent inspections, regular drills, and firm penalties for non-compliance must become standard practice, not occasional reactions to disasters. Fire safety is not just a periodic initiative but a sustained community endeavor.
The safety of Western Visayans depends significantly on how seriously these measures are pursued. Local authorities must rise to the challenge, ensuring robust and uncompromising enforcement. Sustained protection from fires necessitates continuous action. While fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, effective leadership and accountability start at the top.
