BFP, DILG gear up for Eleksyon 2025

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are assisting the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the for the conduct of the National and Local Elections (NLE) on Monday, May 12, 2025.

In a press briefing on Friday, BFP spokesperson Fire Senior Superintendent Annalee Carbajal-Atienza said the red alert status was raised nationwide starting Friday, May 9, 2025 up to Tuesday, May 13, 2025 or a day after the election.

The BFP inspected a total of 22,946 polling precincts while 5,571 are still ongoing processing of compliance requirements.

They have also deployed around 32,000 BFP personnel nationwide who will be on standby at polling precincts.

“Sa atin pong preparation ng Bureau of Fire Protection since January this year, we have already activated the contingency plan ng National and Local Elections. So, this is a continuation naman ng ating campaign for the patuloy na inspection ng polling precincts, as well as conduct of fire drills,” she shared.

(Our preparation of the Bureau of Fire Protection since January this year, we have already activated the contingency plan ng National and Local Elections. So, this is a continuation of our campaign for the continued inspection of polling precincts, as well as conduct of fire drills.)

“As of this time, yung mga establishments or areas na non-compliant are still in the process of complying up to siguro before magkaroon ng election day. Ang ating tropa sa field ay ongoing din ng firetruck visibility sa areas na ito,” she added.

(As of this time, the establishments or areas that are still non-compliant are still in the process of complying up to most likely before the election day. Our troops on the field are conducting ongoing fire truck visibility in these areas.)

The DILG also confirmed that the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has already been activated since April 2025, and is looking into protecting the media amid election season.

Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications Rolando Puno also shared that the media vanguards are now looking into the death of ex-mayor and veteran journalist Juan “Johnny” Dayang, who was shot down inside his residence in Kalibo, Aklan on April 29.

“Medyo high-profile na ang ginagawa natin yan… (We are treating is as high-profile…) DOJ, from what I understand, is conducting an investigation, and the President himself has taken an interest in that,” he shared.

Despite the incident, Puno shared that there were no recorded cases of media killings since 2024 up until the death of Dayang.

“We were hoping to keep that record clean until that incident the other week… May assurance naman ng PTFoMS and DILG Secretary na palaging nakatutok sila diyan and really, all the efforts have been made to ensure that all our friends in the media are protected,” he shared.

(We were hoping to keep that record clean until that incident the other week… There was assurance from the PTFoMS and DILG Secretary that is always observing this and really, all the efforts have been made to ensure that all our friends in the media are protected.)

Fire Safety

The DILG also reminded the public to ensure their safety from fire incidents on all areas and critical facilities.

Undersecretary for Public Safety Serafin Barreto Jr. reminded the public to cooperate with authorities, and take note of the following safety precautions:

• Ensure that there are enough fire exits and proper fire signages inside polling machines
• Do not block exits with items or objects that can obstruct the path
• Do not overload electrical outlets, especially in areas or rooms that use vote-counting machines and other electronics
• Ensure that fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment are ready in all facilities
• Avoid using open flame, such as candles or gas stoves, inside facilities
• Immediately inform fire stations or personnel of any fire hazards

The statement came after a fire incident broke out at a school, which was to be used as a polling precinct for Eleksyon 2025 in Bangued, Abra.

The BFP clarified that investigation is still being conducted on the cause of the fire, but that the estimated cost of the damage reached up to more or less P3.7 million.

“All we have right now is the spot reports. Wala pa tayong information on whatever [the cause is going to be]… The spot report is saying na nagkaroon fire incident last May 7 involving 4 units, the Principal’s office, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, as well as the estimated damage which is, sabi nga po, P3.7 million more or less,” she shared.

(All we have right now is the spot reports. Wala pa tayong information on whatever [the cause is going to be]… The spot report is saying that there was a fire incident last May 7 involving 4 units, the Principal’s office, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, as well as the estimated damage which is, like I said, P3.7 million or less.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News

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