Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan expressed her gratitude and commendation to the Manila Fire District and their partners in helping the city during fire incidents.

On Monday, March 4, the Manila Fire Department (MFD) headed by Supt. Christine Doctor-Cula hosted the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony.

According to Lacuna-Pangan, the rescue teams and fire volunteers do not only respond to fires but also to calamities and other emergencies, such as road accidents.

"Kaya naman ganoon na lamang ang aking pasasalamat sa Manila Fire Department sa lahat-lahat ng kanilang ginagawa. Kung minsan, dalawang magkasabay o kaya sunod-sunod na araw sabay-sabay, pero parang di sila napapagod.  Kahit alam nila kung gaano kadelikado, sugod pa rin sila nang sugod.  Ganyan nila pinahahalagahan ang buhay at ari-arian ng bawat isang Manileños (That's why I thank the Manila Fire Department members for everything they do. Sometimes, fire incidents occur at the same time or even on consecutive days at the same time, but they don't seem to get tired. Even though they knew how dangerous it was, they still rushed to respond. That's how they value the life and property of each Manileño)," she stressed.

She also said the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) has been aiding the MFD in its firefighting and emergency response efforts.

MDRRMO is headed by its director, Arnel Angeles, and is working hand-in-hand with the fire responders in every fire incident in the city.

"Saludo po ako sa inyong lahat at 'wag po sana kayong magsasawa na kami ay alagaan at proteksyunan lalo na sa mga sakuna (I salute all of you and please don't get tired of protecting and taking care of us especially in disasters)," the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Lacuna-Pangan called on Manileños to educate their children and senior citizens in their households on how to exercise the necessary precautions and safety measures on the use of appliances to avoid overheating, which can cause fire.

"Turuan po sana natin ang ating mga anak at ating senior citizens.. palagi po natin silang antabayanan kasi minsan ay nakakalimutan po nila o naiiwang bukas ang ibang kagamitan kaya mag-ingat tayo (Let's teach our children and our senior citizens. Let's, always watch over them because sometimes they forget or leave other equipment open so let's be careful)," she said.

Mayor Honey led the observance of Fire Prevention Month on March 1, with a call to residents to carefully watch over the children and senior citizens in their households who may leave behind lit candles, unplugged appliances, or stoves that may cause fire.