MANILA (PIA) — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is mobilizing more than 24,000 personnel across the country as part of its intensified safety and emergency preparedness measures for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting lives and ensuring public safety during one of the nation’s busiest travel and remembrance periods.
Under “OPLAN KALULUWA 2026,” BFP Officer-in-Charge Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu said the bureau will implement heightened alert protocols beginning Oct. 28, with Code Blue status from Oct. 28 to 29 and Code Red or full alert status from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.
“The OPLAN KALULUWA 2026 will address specific risks during the holiday,” Kwan Tiu said, noting that the BFP will carry out intensified public awareness campaigns, strategic personnel deployment, workforce augmentation, and field monitoring operations as millions of Filipinos visit cemeteries, memorial parks, and transport hubs nationwide.
The initiative aligns with the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach to public safety, disaster preparedness, and efficient delivery of essential services during major national events.
According to the BFP, around 24,106 personnel will be deployed in strategic areas and placed on standby to respond to emergencies and distress calls. Of the total deployment, 16,301 personnel will focus on fire suppression operations, while 3,109 emergency medical service personnel will be ready to provide immediate medical assistance.
The bureau will also position 1,187 members of its Special Rescue Force, 3,373 fire safety inspectors, 2,245 fire trucks, 371 ambulances, and 260 motorcycles in key public gathering areas, transportation terminals, major roads, and other high-traffic locations.
To further strengthen public protection, inspection teams will conduct compliance checks in transport terminals, ports, and cemeteries to ensure adherence to safety regulations and preparedness standards.
Kwan Tiu said the BFP expects large crowds in cemeteries, heavier passenger traffic in transportation hubs, and increased risks of fire incidents and theft in homes temporarily left unattended by families traveling for the annual commemoration.
“All regional command centers will maintain active and continuous communication to the National Emergency Operations Center,” he said.
The BFP will also integrate its operations with the Unified Emergency Hotline 911 through upgraded dispatch systems and real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing faster coordination and emergency response.
As part of its prevention campaign, the bureau urged the public to observe fire safety measures while honoring departed loved ones.
Residents were advised to place candles on stable, non-flammable holders away from combustible materials, avoid overloading electrical outlets, and switch off their home’s main electrical circuit breaker when leaving for extended periods.
Visitors cleaning graves were likewise reminded not to burn dried leaves or other waste materials, which remain among the common causes of fire incidents during the Undas season. Instead, the BFP encouraged proper waste disposal and the availability of water or sand containers for emergency use.
Kwan Tiu emphasized that public cooperation remains essential in ensuring a peaceful, safe, and fire-free observance of Undas.
Officials said the nationwide deployment reflects the Marcos Jr. administration’s continued focus on safeguarding communities through proactive disaster risk reduction, emergency readiness, and responsive public service, ensuring that Filipino families can commemorate the occasion with greater security and peace of mind.
In case of emergencies, the BFP advised the public to immediately contact the nearest fire station or call the Unified Emergency Hotline 911 for assistance. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
(FIle photo courtesy of BFP)
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