As the number of fire incidents grew this year from the same period last year, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) urged the public to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against urban and forest fires exacerbated by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.
 

(Photo by Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

The CCC has already created policies and strategies under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the National Climate Risk Management Framework (NCRMF) to prepare the country for climate-related impacts and disasters.
 

In underscoring the importance of taking preemptive measures against fires during the dry season, the CCC also shared methods how to prevent fires.
 

Among these methods are fireproofing properties, practicing safe and responsible cooking, and preparing for fire emergencies.
 

“Implementing the strategies and recommendations outlined in these policies and frameworks strengthens our adaptive capacity to face climate risks such as El Niño, ultimately leading to more climate-resilient communities,” said CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert Eric Borje in a statement.
 

In a statement on Friday, March 15, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said El Niño is a significant contributor to the fires, especially wildfires and forest fires. It also cited the current wildfires in the Cordillera Region.
 

“Isa pa ring challenge natin ngayon ay ‘yung El Niño. Nakikita po natin sa news, na particularly sa Cordillera area, we have recorded 72 fire incidents na (Another challenge is the El Niño. We see in the news, particularly in the Cordillera area, we have already recorded 72 fire incidents),” BFP Director Louie Puracan noted.
 

According to data from the BFP, there were already a total of 3,200 fire incidents recorded nationwide as of March 5, 2024. The month of March is also the Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines.
 

This marks a 26 percent increase compared to approximately 2,539 occurrences during the same period last year.
 

The fire incidents in 2024 have also already claimed 70 lives, a 37.25 percent increase from the 51 lives lost in fires that occurred in 2023 around the same quarter.
 

This year’s fires have also resulted in an estimated P2.33 billion loss and damage to property, representing a 59.6 percent increase compared to the P1.46 billion lost during the same period last year.