As the Fire Prevention Month rolls down this March, the Valenzuela City Government, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Valenzuela, spearheaded a training and seminar for the Barangay Lingunan fire volunteers, known as “Bantay Sunog,” held at Disiplina Village Lingunan, March 4.

About 230 Bantay Sunog volunteers of Disiplina Village (DV) Lingunan participated in the one-day fire safety training and seminar that aims to equip fire volunteers with the basic knowledge in responding to fire incidents and reinstitute the core values of volunteerism. Additionally, 150 fire extinguishers were handed out by the local government to the DV Lingunan fire-fighting volunteers. One fire extinguisher for every four volunteers is the ratio of the following donations.

Meanwhile, Mayor WES Gatchalian, who was also present at the event, led the awarding of certificates commending the seven (7) exemplary Bantay Sunog volunteers who went the extra mile in extinguishing a fire that broke out in one of the housing units in DV Lingunan. They were able to contain the fire before it got worse and put the situation under their control. 

The volunteers who were honored were:

• Lourdes Nerpelo

• Winnie Plaza

• Renato Ortiz

• Baldomero Villanueva

• Rommel Ramo

• Lorenzo Diego

• Maribel Torres

In his message, Mayor WES acknowledged the fire volunteers. He said, “Alam niyo po, sa mga punto po ng mga ganitong insidente, tayo-tayo rin po ang magtutulungan, wala nang iba. Kaya po natutuwa po ako sa ating pong 7 na volunteers na ibinuwis ang kanilang buhay, ibinigay po ang kanilang makakaya. Hindi na po nag-complain, hindi na po nagsalita, at agad-agad pong kumilos para po tulungan po ang isang kapitbahay natin dito sa Disiplina Village Lingunan.” [You know, in such incidents, we are the only one who would help each other out, no one else will. That's why I'm happy for our 7 volunteers who risked their lives and gave their best. They didn't complain nor speak, but immediately took action to help one of our neighbors here in Disiplina Village Lingunan.]

Moreover, the fire volunteers who were recognized during the event were promoted as team leaders of the Bantay Sunog in DV Lingunan because of their prompt response during the recent fire incident.

Tracing back to 2009, when then Valenzuela City Mayor and now Senator WIN Gatchalian instituted the Bantay Sunog volunteers under his capacity-building program. Today, Valenzuela City has produced approximately 10,000 Bantay Sunog volunteers, still carrying the same mandate and responsibilities from the day of its foundation.

In keeping with the observance of fire prevention month, the city government, in partnership with the BFP Valenzuela, will continue to provide refresher courses to city fire volunteers in all thirty-three (33) barangays.

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