Fire incidents in Mandaue decline

Local

FIRE incidents in Mandaue City declined this year, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), even as authorities raised concerns over defective fire hydrants that could affect response capacity in critical areas.

Fire records showed 22 incidents as of May 2026, a 12 percent decrease from 25 cases during the same period in 2025.

The BFP attributed the improvement to sustained fire prevention efforts, including the continued implementation of Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan, along with favorable weather conditions.

Officials said residential areas remained the most common site of fire incidents in the city.

The agency also emphasized the importance of continued public awareness on fire prevention, focusing on basic ignition factors such as heat, oxygen, fuel, and chemical reactions.

Residents were reminded to practice electrical safety measures, including avoiding overloaded circuits and regularly checking appliances for defective wiring and loose connections.

Fire authorities identified 10 barangays as fire-prone areas: Subangdaku, Banilad, Tipolo, Paknaan, Canduman, Tabok, Guizo, Maguikay, Alang-alang, and Pagsabungan.

The classification was based on historical fire incidents and existing risks such as narrow road access and limited water supply during emergencies.

From these, Subangdaku, Alang-alang, and Guizo were selected as pilot areas under the Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan program, where barangay-based firefighters are deployed to monitor hazards and support early response efforts.

The BFP is also continuing its Bayanihan Program, which provides fire safety training to residents, including basic firefighting techniques and extinguisher use.

Participants may later join the Community Force Auxiliary Group (CFAG), a volunteer network being established across the city’s 27 barangays.

Fire Chief Insp. Alvin Torion underscored the role of communities in immediate response during emergencies.

“Sila ang first responders gyud, dili ang bombero, dili ang taga disaster, sila mismo kay sila ang naa ana nga community maong sila atong gi-empower,” he said.

In a separate development, the BFP reported that 13 of the city’s 35 fire hydrants are defective or non-operational, many of which are located in central, densely populated areas.

Officials said only a portion of hydrants currently provide adequate water pressure for firefighting operations, while others deliver low to medium pressure that may slow down emergency response.

The BFP has coordinated with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) regarding possible repairs, although funding constraints were cited as a major concern.

The matter has also reached the City Council, where Councilor Jennifer Del Mar called on MCWD officials to present updates on hydrant maintenance and infrastructure planning.

Authorities warned that hydrants with insufficient pressure may take hours to build up enough water supply during emergencies, particularly in major fire incidents.

Concerns were also raised over reported misuse of fire hydrants in some areas, prompting reminders for the public to help safeguard the system and report violations.

“Dili man ang fire truck ang mupalong sa kalayo, tubig man,” Torion said.

The BFP currently operates four fire trucks in Mandaue City, supported by barangay-based force multipliers to assist in emergency response operations.(MyTVCebu)