By Leilanie Adriano
LAOAG CITY – The province of Ilocos Norte is revisiting some proactive measures to prevent forest fires, which have been prevalent from January to March.
Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc on Tuesday reminded all mayors in the 21 towns and two cities of the province to prepare for the upcoming forest fire season.
“Before the year ends, let us align and prepare for next year. Let us revisit some of the strategies we used before such as the establishment of checkpoints, placement of trucks, water sourcing, and air assets, including discussion on the possible livelihood projects with the Indigenous Peoples,” he said during the joint conduct of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting at the Capitol session hall.
Police checkpoints and a registry of civilians going to the mountains had been implemented in the towns of Solsona, Nueva Era, and Piddig last summer following a series of forest fire incidents in these areas.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the primary causes of fires in the province are open flame from rubbish fire, smoking, ignition of materials from embers, open flame in farmlands, electrical ignition caused by a loose connection, open flame from cooking, fireworks, arcing, overheated home appliances, and open flame from kaingin (slash and burn) and kerosene lamps.
While there have been no reported forest fires in the fourth quarter of this year, the BFP, in coordination with the Ilocos Norte government, has tapped the assistance of the 4th Marine Brigade, the Philippine Army and local disaster risk management and reduction units of the province to sustain their efforts to prevent fire incidents in the province.
Among the strategies include the regular patrolling of forested areas and the hiring of more forest rangers to minimize hazardous blazes.
Record shows the wildfires in Ilocos Norte are mostly “accidental fires” caused by dry weather, discarded lit cigarettes, open fires from campers or hikers, wildlife hunters, and burning of agriculture wastes. (PNA)
