ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — All firecracker retailers here have been confined to a single area to avoid fire accidents in the trade of firecrackers during the holiday season.

"The accredited firecracker retailers are selling their merchandise along Altavas Street particularly near the Capiz Arc Bridge," said Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Roxas City Chief S/Insp. Lester Kenneth C. Gimotea.

Based on BFP – Roxas City records, there are 59 accredited firecracker retailers in the city selling firecrackers since Dec. 20. Gimotea clarified that the figure may increase as accreditation is still ongoing for interested firecracker retailers.

A seminar on fire safety to avoid fire accidents is being conducted by firemen here to ensure safe sale of firecracker in the designated trade zone.The seminar is part of the accreditation requirements.

The city’s top fireman also added that an “Oplan Iwas Paputok Iwas Sunog Ngayong Pasko at Bagong Taon” is also being conducted by the BFP to remind residents of possible fire hazards like Christmas lights and fire crackers during the holiday celebration.

Iloilo fire station stays alert
ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Iloilo City Fire Station is on alert for possible fire occurrences this holiday season. City Fire Marshall Rodolfo Denaga said in an interview that they are conducting fire safety inspections in a certain period of time for all businesses.

Distribution of information campaign materials on fire prevention is one of the activities of the Iloilo City Fire Station this holiday season to increase the level of awareness of the public on the threats of fire to life and properties.

Denaga said the information materials they are distributing to the public are printed in the local dialect so that the people will fully understand the message.

Listed by the Bureau of Fire Protection as the common causes of fire are: Electrical flammable liquids, stoves/LPG

tank, cigarettes butts/matches, open flames, combustion/heat/bonfire, and sparks/explosives.

The public is also cautioned to avoid the use of illegal electrical connections, and not to overload electrical circuits, nor use improvised fuse wires for busted fuses as these causes circuit overloads and fires.

Citizen journalism launched
ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will launch citizen journalism to act as a feedback mechanism of the government from the grassroots level to Malacañang.

PIA Director General Lawyer Jose Fabia said this strategy will be a link between the Office of the President and citizen organizations through government Information Officers.

“We intend to launch citizen journalism in order to make sure that citizens are heard just as they are able to exercise their rights properly because they are better informed and you have a government that responds to the people’s needs,” he said in an interview.

While government Information Officers communicate programs and projects of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, government media men should also get tips from the people on how they appreciate the efforts of the present administration, he added.

“It is important that the government listen to the people so that the local and national government can understand the needs of the people and how these projects are being implemented."