CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Northern Mindanao recorded 644 fire incidents from January to
July 2026, causing more than P523.8 million in property damage and leaving 10 people dead and
28 others injured, prompting the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to call for stronger fire
prevention and preparedness across the region.

Faulty-wiring incidents accounted for more than 60 percent of the reported fires, with overloaded
outlets, electrical overloads, arcing, loose connections, and unsafe “octopus” wiring among the
identified hazards.
The BFP also cited unattended liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves, unsupervised firewood
cooking, and improperly discarded cigarette embers as other common fire triggers.
Speaking during the third-quarter Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(RDRRMC)-10 Disaster Preparedness Committee Meeting on Sept. 14, SFO4 Adones G. Llenas,
chief of the BFP Special Operations Section, said fire prevention requires action from
government agencies, local governments, businesses, and communities.
“Fire prevention is not the sole responsibility of the Bureau of Fire Protection; it requires the
collective commitment of government agencies, local government units, barangays, businesses,
establishments, communities, families, and individuals,” Llenas said.
He said coordinated action is needed to identify hazards, comply with fire safety standards, and
maintain readiness for emergencies.
“The best fire response is prevention, and the best preparedness begins before the alarm sounds,”
he said.
Misamis Oriental recorded the largest amount of property damage during the seven months, with
P252.1 million in losses from 422 incidents. Lanao del Norte followed with P238.9 million in
damages from 161 incidents.
Bukidnon recorded 163 incidents resulting in P24.3 million in property damage, while Misamis
Occidental reported 36 incidents with P4.7 million in losses. Camiguin recorded 25 incidents,
with property damage amounting to P708,200.

The BFP identified informal settler housing areas and residential communities near dry
vegetation as among the areas vulnerable to fire, particularly during periods of elevated
temperatures and changing weather conditions.
The agency also cited climate and weather information from the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), including El Niño-Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) advisories, variations in rainfall and temperatures in lowland areas reaching
37.5 degrees Celsius.
Llenas said the BFP’s prevention efforts include public information campaigns under Oplan
Ligtas na Pamayanan, regular fire and emergency drills, enforcement of fire safety regulations,
personnel training, and coordination with other government agencies.
He outlined four areas of action: prevention, preparation, response, and recovery.
He said prevention focuses on identifying and eliminating hazards, ensuring compliance with fire
safety requirements, and strengthening public awareness. Preparation includes regular emergency
drills, maintaining clear evacuation routes, and ensuring that response equipment and personnel
are ready.
During an incident, the response phase calls for immediate reporting and coordination among the
BFP, local government units, disaster risk reduction and management councils, police, medical
responders, and utility providers.
The recovery phase includes post-incident investigations, after-action review, and corrective
measures to address vulnerabilities identified during emergencies.
“The increasing number of fire incidents reminds us that fire safety cannot depend on firefighting
response alone, as the most effective fire [safety measure] is the one that is prevented before it
starts and the most effective preparedness is the one practiced before an emergency occurs,”
Llenas said.
He urged communities and other sectors to turn identified fire hazards into preventive action.
“Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility, preparedness is our collective duty, and let us act
before the alarm sounds, because every fire prevented is