CITY OF MALOLOS – Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary for Public Safety Florencio M. Bernabe, Jr. announced during the observance of Fire Prevention Month last Monday, March 4, 2024 at the Flag Raising Ceremony held at Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here that a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) will soon rise in Bulacan.
The said facility is expected to impact the lives of illegal drug dependents and help the community in its effort to curb illegal drug dependency.
He further explained that DATRC is one of the effective mechanisms in reintegrating individuals into the society through sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation.
Also, Bernabe invited the Bulakenyos to participate in the program of DILG dubbed as “BIDA – Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan”, a year-round advocacy program which aims to raise awareness and encourage participation from all sectors of the community in drug demand reduction.
The assistant secretary likewise praised the leadership of Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro for having a functioning Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office with complete emergency response equipment and tools such as newly purchased disaster response vehicle, fire suits, boots, helmet, gloves, hoses and nozzles, AED, body monitor and self-contained breathing apparatus to name a few as well as reliable and well-trained emergency responders.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Fire Protection Regional Director FCSUPT Roy Roderick P. Aguto reminded the public to be prepared for any unexpected fire incidents by staying safe and to have a list of emergency numbers ready and easily accessible to ensure help right away.
For its part, the PDRRMO headed by Manuel M. Lukban, Jr. has lined up different activities in line with the observance of Fire Prevention Month including preparatory coordination meeting; provincewide distribution of IEC materials from March 1-31; Radyo Kapitolyo’s Bulacan Rescue Program hosting at the Provincial Public Affairs Office every Tuesday at 9:00 am -10:00 am; conduct of fire safety inspection in coordination with BFP at the Provincial Capitol building and other government agencies; Oplan Lakbay Alalay (SUMVAC) in Divine Mercy Shrine in Marilao, Kapitangan, Paombong and Malolos Cathedral in City of Malolos from March 27 to 31; Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill in San Ildefonso on March 25 and PGB Fire Marshalls Quarterly Meeting at the PDRRMO Training Room on March 26.
Also, the PGB-PDRRMO, BFP, DILG, other LGUs and partner agencies kicked off the launch of Fire Prevention Month by a motorcade and conducted the oath-taking of Bulacan Fire Fighter Volunteers.
Prior to this, Basic/Advance Fire Fighting with Hazardous Materials Trainings was held in Olongapo City from February 26 to March 2 and Kaalaman at Kahandaan ay Katatagan sa Kalamidad (K4) Training last February 23 in Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Fernando urges the public to always take extra precautions to prevent fire incidents as the Bulacan PDRRMO has recorded 129 fire incident emergency responses for the year 2023.
