Barangay officials and elders of Bontoc Ili declared a tengaw or cultural lockdown amidst the recent forest fires in the municipality.
Recognizing the importance of blending culture with modern science, Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr., convened the officials, elders, community members, and concerned offices of the local government unit to discuss interventions that can be undertaken by the barangay and the LGU in preventing and stopping the increasing number of forest fires in the municipality.
During the meeting, the mayor underscored the ongoing efforts to combat these fires while introducing a new initiative: the recruitment of trained personnel as Bantay Gubat, to augment in the firefighting efforts of the municipality.
He also mandated the strict enforcement of barangay ordinances aimed at penalizing offenders contributing to fire hazards.
Tudlong said he has allocated additional funding for the procurement and installation of fire hydrants in the barangay as part of an ongoing effort to enhance firefighting capabilities and ensure prompt response to fire incidents.
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Johanna Padaen said 29 forest fires, including one structural fire were reported by the Bontoc Municipal Fire Station since January.
Bontoc Ili Punong Barangay Eva Mila Fana-ang said two individuals faced penalties imposed by the barangay for violating the barangay ordinance of Bontoc Ili.
Sangguniang Bayan Members Timothy Pongad, Jr. and Viola Okko shared the mayor’s sentiments and extended their appeal to the public to cooperate in stopping and preventing forest fires in the municipality. – Christy Mae C. Pangesfan
