Fire safety and financial preparedness were highlighted during a media briefing held March 5 at Happy Garden Cafe in Makati City, where Palawan Group of Companies introduced its ProtekTODO Fire 99 microinsurance product as part of activities marking Fire Prevention Month.

Through its microinsurance arm Palawan ProtekTODO, the company is promoting a combination of fire prevention education and financial protection to help Filipino families recover from fire-related losses.

ProtekTODO Fire 99 offers financial assistance for residential properties affected by fire, as well as accidental death coverage. For P99, the product provides up to P30,000 in fire cash assistance and up to P10,000 in accidental death benefits.

During the briefing, Palawan Group chief business development officer Lisa Castro-Sabado said the program aims to help families cope with the aftermath of fire incidents.

“A fire can change everything a family has worked for in an instant. It can take their home, their belongings, and the sense of security they have built over the years. With ProtekTODO Fire 99, families can access affordable and reliable support that helps them recover from the immediate aftermath, rebuild their homes, and restore their daily lives. It gives families the confidence and hope they need to face the future, knowing they are not alone in rebuilding what fire has taken from them.”

Recent data underscore the importance of fire safety awareness. According to the Comparative Fire Incident Report of the National Capital Region office of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Metro Manila recorded 3,565 fire incidents. Electrical connections, smoking and open-flame cooking were identified as the leading causes.

During the event, Gladwin Abram So, REMT, PhD, fire marshal of the Association of Volunteer Fire Chiefs and Firefighters of the Philippines Inc., emphasized the importance of strengthening public awareness and practicing basic safety habits at home.

He noted that many fire incidents are preventable when households regularly check electrical connections, avoid leaving appliances unattended and observe basic fire safety practices.

Palawan Group chief marketing officer Bernard Kaibigan also underscored the role of accessible insurance products in helping families prepare for unexpected emergencies.

“ProtekTODO Fire 99 is built on the belief that every Filipino family deserves protection and peace of mind. Our initiative is designed to make insurance simple, accessible, and meaningful, so that when crises strike, families are supported, not alone. It’s about empowering communities to take proactive steps toward safety, security, and resilience, because no one should face life’s unexpected challenges without a safety net.”

A claimant also shared her experience during the event, recounting how the insurance helped her family rebuild after a fire broke out in their home in Addition Hills, Mandaluyong.