By Xander Ledesma
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Antique reported no fire incidents caused by firecrackers or fireworks during the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Jefferson Cordero, head of the Fire Safety Inspection Enforcement Section, attributed the achievement to the “Oplan Paalala Iwas Paputok” campaign, which was launched on December 1. The campaign focused on raising public awareness and ensuring compliance with fire safety measures.
Seven towns in the province imposed a complete ban on firecracker sales, while other local governments restricted vendors to designated zones.
Provincial Fire Marshal Supt. Patricio Collado, along with regional officials, conducted station visits to assess preparedness and enforce safety protocols. The BFP emphasized the role of rigorous inspections and community cooperation in preventing fire incidents during the holiday period.