Belmonte calls for reforms in BFP-QC amid 'lapses'

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday called for reforms in the Bureau of Fire Protection-Quezon City Fire District (BFP-QCFD), including the relief of two of its officials, due to the supposed lapses in its performance.

In a statement, Belmonte said the results of the city government's probe revealed lax inspection, backlog in the examination of businesses, and other lapses in the performance of BFP-QCFD's duties.

“The capability and effectiveness of the BFP-QCFD in responding to these fires have lessened significantly. The city government recognizes that each fire has its own distinct volatile circumstances,” she said.

“Nonetheless, the severity of this year's incidents necessitates a call for a change in the leadership of the agency. A change is needed for the welfare of our citizens. We look forward to a better performance from the BFP," she added.

The city government conducted a review on the fire department’s performance after the August 31 fire incident in Tandang Sora that left 15 people dead.

Higher numbers

Based on BFP’s data, there were 153 fires recorded in the city from January to August 2023, which was higher compared to the 219 reported in the entire year of 2022, the Quezon City government said.

Sixty-three civilians and eight firefighters were injured in fire incidents as of August 2023, which was higher compared to the 60 civilians and two firefighters injured last year.

A total of 8,362 individuals or 2,380 families were affected by the fires so far, which was also higher than the whole of last year’s record of 7,295 individuals or 2,005 families.

There were 24 deaths in the first eight months of this year while there were 30 in the entire year of 2022, the Quezon City government said.

Two officials

Due to these, Belmonte called for the relief of QCFD Fire Marshall Fire Senior Superintendent Aristotle Bañaga and CFD Fire Prevention Branch Chief Fire Chief Inspector Dominic Salvacion.

“For this reason and to protect the people of Quezon City, I am calling upon the national leadership of the BFP to assign to us a new fire marshal for the QCFD and a new inspection head,” she said.

Belmonte called on the BFP to investigate the matter and cooperate with the city government.

On August 31, a fire hit a three-story residence that was turned into a manufacturing building in Tandang Sora. Among the 15 fatalities was a three-year-old child.

According to Quezon City's Department of Building Official (DBO), the establishment does not have a building permit under the name of the owner and the same address.

On September 1, the BFP said charges would be filed against those accountable for the fire. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News