BFP: Metro Manila lacks nearly 90 fire stations

Following the series of fire breakouts in Metro Manila, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Saturday admitted that it still needs to augment the number of fire stations in the metropolitan area. According to a report by GMA News’ Claire Delfin, Metro Manila lacks 87 fire stations as per international standards of fire safety. The guideline requires one fire station in every area or community with commercial, industrial, and residential structures.
Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna, BFP head in the National Capital Region, said the cities of Taguig, Caloocan, and Quezon are in need of more fire stations. BFP records showed that Metro Manila has a total of 127 fire stations at present. Laguna pointed out that the bureau is dependent on the local government’s efforts to allocate lots for fire stations. “Ang pag-i-establish ng fire stations sa Metro Manila ay depende sa ina-allocate na lote ng local government units," he told GMA News in an interview. Densely inhabited villages The BFP said at least eight fire incidents take place in Metro Manila — particularly in slum areas — on a daily basis. Laguna pointed out that houses in communities marked by poverty and inferior living conditions are prone to be razed by fire. He gave the example of the slum area along and near Agham Road in the Central District of Quezon City, according to Delfin’s report. Even residents have lost track of counting the number of fire blasts in the area, it added. “[Mga bahay dito ay gawa sa] marurupok nang plywood. Parang papel lang kung masunog," said Daylinda Tubal, a resident in the Agham Road community. The story is different in Barangay Payatas, however. The report said the densely inhabited village has a fire station and a fire truck, and the residents receive fire prevention seminar on a regular basis. “Kung sakaling may disgrasyang ganyan, isang bahay lang [ang naaapektuhan]… Naaagapan agad," Ross Estrella, a Payatas resident.—Jesse Edep/JV, GMA News