BY KRISTINA CRUJIDO/DNSC INTERN
THE DAVAO City Fire District announced its Oplan Ligtas ng Pamayanan, a program aimed at strengthening coordination with the city government and the barangays.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Feb. 11, Fire Senior Inspector Frances Marie Sendrijas said the program focuses on community-based fire prevention, hazard identification, and training of barangay fire brigades.
According to Sendrijas, the agency continues to implement the program in partnership with barangays. One of the initiatives includes identifying and recording narrow roads and high-risk areas to improve fire response planning.
However, one of the main challenges the agency faces is budget constraints, which make it more difficult to host community initiatives.
“One of our challenges there is really the budget and how to invite the community to join our lectures,” she said.
For example, she said that their community lectures tackle subjects like giving way to emergency vehicles and avoiding illegal parking. The agency coordinates closely with the local government and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to enforce these regulations.
Despite this, she assured the public that the program remains a priority and is closely monitored by the national headquarters.
The enforcement and community awareness are crucial, particularly in densely populated areas where access for large fire trucks remains a challenge.
