Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) employees from the Central Office (CO) held a Fire Safety Awareness Seminar and Fire Drill in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Star Special Corporate Security Management, Inc. (SSCSMI) on November 25, 2022.

Employees attended the fire safety seminar under the provisions of the Republic Act 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, which aims to ensure public safety and promote economic development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires.

BFP Fire Office 3 (FO3) Jan Marde A. del Rosario and FO2 Katrina C. Catangui served as the resource speakers during the seminar. They talked about how fire incidents pose a significant risk to businesses and severely harm people. With that, FO3 del Rosario and FO2 Catangui discussed the importance of compliance with RA 9514 on prevention, mitigation, and response to fire incidents was heavily emphasized.

They also noted that fire safety is not just the responsibility of the BFP, but of every individual.

Aside from training on fire prevention, FO3 del Rosario and FO2 Catangui also discussed the importance of fire drills in workplaces. They said that these simulations will prepare everyone on how to manage themselves and others in case a real fire incident breaks in a workplace.

After the seminar, CO employees took part in the simulated fire and earthquake drill. Employees performed the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” method as one of the immediate actions during an earthquake. Afterward, they exercised what they learned during the fire safety seminar, including the proper use of a firefighting hose and fire extinguishers.

The drill was supervised by the BFP – National Capital Region District 5 of Quezon City led by Inspector Rodrigo A. Delos Santos and SSCSMI Operations Manager Mr. Rodel Villamin.

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)