THE DAVAO City Fire District (DCFD) reported 530 fire incidents from January to October 2023, an 18.8% increase compared to the 446 fire incidents for the same period last year.
SFO4 Ramil Gillado, DCFD spokesperson, said most of the fires involved residential areas with 191 incidents, followed by electrical posts with 139, and waste burning with 49.
The most common causes were electrical issues, particularly arcing due to lost connection, machine overheating, and electrical short circuits, followed by the use of reckless use of fire materials, burning garbage, and unsafe littering of cigarette butts.
DCFD also recorded a total of P73,722,050 in total damage this year, representing a 26.4% increase compared to last year’s P58,290,500 in damage.
Gillado said they always reminded commercial establishments and other building owners to coordinate with them, particularly regarding fire safety, as well as seek advice from electrical experts to optimize safety.
“Daghan gyud ang mga incident involving electrical, lahi-lahi siya. Naa ta’y mga recommendations during sa atoang mga gina-conduct na lectures nga i-follow gyud dapat nila kung unsa ang naa sa atoang Philippine Electrical Code,” Gillado said.
Fermin Edillon, Davao Light and Power Company enhancement reputation officer, also urged Davaoeños to report anyone with flying connections as these will cause power overload.
“Gina-issuehan namo na sila’g violation of contract, gina-inform ug ginatagaan namo na siya’g chance to correct and tanggalon ‘tung mga flying connections. Kung nakita namo nga wala nila gi-comply atoang requirements, amoa nang i-terminate ang service sa particular nga customer nato,” Edillon said.
