12 Metro Manila villages identified as fire-prone – research

Twelve villages in Metro Manila were identified as fire prone by GMA News Research, with most of these villages considered slums where illegal electricity connections are rampant. “Ang mga kabahayan sa mga lugar na ito ay yari lang sa mga light materials, so napaka highly combustible,” Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Capital Region (NCR) director Santiago Laguna said in an interview aired on GMA News TV's “Balitanghali” on Monday. “Karamihan may mga illegal connections ng kuryente, ito madalas ang pinagmumulan ng sunog,” he added. In a study done by GMA News Research, the 12 areas in Metro Manila identified as most fire-prone were:

• Tondo and Sampaloc in Manila,
• Barangay Bahay Toro,
• Barangay Unang Sigaw,
• Barangay Culiat and Mayon Street in Quezon City,
• Barangay 120 in Caloocan City,
• Malibay Street, Pasay,
• Barangay Don Bosco and Barangay Sun Valley in Parañaque,
• and Barangay Pio Del Pilar and Barangay Singkamas in Makati.

The study was based on the frequency of fires in Metro Manila for the last three years. According to the records of the BFP-NCR the top five causes of fire in Metro Manila in 2013 were:

• faulty electric connections 49%,
• lit cigarette butts 11%,
• open flame from a torch or sulo 5%,
• unattended cooking fires 4%,
• and electric appliances 3%.

“Yung mga sala-salabat na linya ng kuryente na kung tawagin natin 'spaghetti'... kapag sa tagal ng panahon may nabalatan na linya ng kuryente, magdidikit-dikit na yan , mag-iispark, pagmumulan na ng sunog yan,” said a BFP official. Laguna meanwhile urged the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to be stricter in monitoring the condition of its electric lines. “Programa kasi ng Meralco na lahat ng nangangailangan ng electricity ay mabigyan, subalit sa pagkabit ng connection ng mga kuryente sa mga lugar na ito, maaring hindi na nila namo-monitor,” Laguna said. Meralco on the other hand said they conduct regular monitoring of electric lines. “Marami tayong mga ginagawa para masiguro natin na yung komunidad na pinaglilingkuran natin ay ligtas, isa na po sa mga efforts na ito ay yung paglagay ng elevated metering centers,”said Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga. The BFP recommends that electric fans and aircondition units should be unplugged from outlets when not in use. The bureau also encourages the installation of circuit breakers to avoid short circuits and overloading. — Elizabeth Marcelo/DVM, GMA News