Mayor Honey Lacuna of Manila led the observance of the Fire Prevention Month and urged residents to be vigilant in watching over their households, particularly children and senior citizens.

She reminded everyone to ensure that appliances, candles, and stoves are properly unplugged to prevent any fire incidents.

At the regular Monday flagraising ceremony hosted by the Manila Fire Department (MFD) headed by Supt. Christine Doctor-Cula, Lacuna also expressed her gratitude and commendation to the MFD and their partners in helping the city during fire incidents.

The mayor particularly cited the members of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) headed by its director, Arnel Angeles and the different groups of fire volunteers who have been working hand-in-hand with the MFD in every fire incident in the city.

According to Lacuna, the MFD, MDRRMO and fire volunteers do not only respond to fires but also to calamities and other emergency situations, such as road accidents.

Residents, meanwhile, were called upon by Lacuna to see to it that the children and senior citizens in their homes are educated on how to exercise the necessary precaution and safety measures on the use of appliances to avoid making them cause fire.

"Turuan po sana natin ang ating mga anak at ating senior citizens.. palagi po natin silang antabayanan kasi minsan ay nakakalimutan po nila o naiiwang bukas ang ibang kagamitan kaya mag-ingat tayo,"(Teach our children and senior citizens about fire prevention. Monitor them everytime because they tend to be forgetful like turning off things. Let us all be safe.) she said.

Lacuna noted that even before the Fire Prevention Month, fires have already been hitting the city and even other parts of Metro Manila.

"Kaya naman ganoon na lamang ang aking pasasalamat sa Manila Fire Department sa lahat-lahat ng kanilang ginagawa. Kung minsan, dalawang magkasabay o kaya sunod-sunod na araw sabay-sabay, pero parang di sila napapagod. Kahit alam nila kung gaano kadelikado, sugod pa rin sila nang sugod. Ganyan nila pinahahalagahan ang buhay at ari-arian ng bawat isang Manilenyo," (That is why I'm so thankful to our partners at Manila Fire Department because they do everything. Even doing things that is risky, they still do it. That's how they give importance to the lives and valuables of every Manilenyo) Lacuna stressed.

In commending the MFD, Lacuna also cited the MDRRMO teams and the fire volunteers who have been aiding the MFD in its firefighting and emergency response efforts.

"Saludo po ako sa inyong lahat at 'wag po sana kayong magsasawa na kami ay alagaan at proteksyunan lalo na sa mga sakuna," (My snappy salute to all of you and please don't get tired of protecting us especially in emergencies.) the mayor said.