Participate, Interfere, Cooperate, Act Now!

PARTICIPATE, INTERFERE, COOPERATE: ACT NOW!

By Jay-R5 B. Sibonga

                Billions worth of properties are burned, millions are injured, and hundreds of thousands are killed by the wild, catastrophic, ferocious and perilous element on earth: fire.

                Fire plays an important role in our everyday lives: in cooking food, recycling nutrients, giving warmth, and supplying energy to living organisms. It also gives us light to help us see things clearly. This element really does great help to humans, but this can also be a catastrophe and chaos when not properly used.

                Thousands and thousands of fire accidents are results of carelessness of one’s use of fire. Some of these are accidental and some are intentional. Truly, fire is a great and powerful element that turns anything it touches to ash. Even a little ignite of fire can result to a great devastation if not properly handled. We must be aware of everything that surrounds us and be sensitive to our environment.

                Summer is fast approaching. It is the season of the year when people are getting busy on their vacations, maybe on summer vacations spots like Boracay, Baguio, etc. This is also the reason when the temperature is fast rising and people are exhausted because of extreme heat. They want to go on a vacation provided that their safety is at hand. We all want to have a safe and happy summer vacation, right?

                Every March of each year, the Bureau of Fire Protection celebrates the “Fire Prevention Month”. It aims to inform the  people about fire-safety tips and activities. This year’s theme: “Makiisa, Makialam at Makipagtulungan, Upang Sunog ay Maiiwasan” calls each and every Filipino citizen, young and old, to be aware of fire-safety. It also calls us to join and participate in the activities of BFP to prevent the ill effects of the destructive fire. It reminds us of our responsibility in the safety of the whole community as well as the whole nation.

                MAKIISA. Every campaign and project that is to be done needs active participation from the members of the group. BFP calls us to actively participate in the activities of the organization for the benefit of all.  They aim and expect the active participation that every Filipino can give. We are also expected to do our best for the success of the fire prevention campaign of our government to prevent loss of properties and even loss of lives.

                MAKIALAM. Joining and/or participating in an activity means being sensitive, aware and informed about the things that must be done for its success. Doing the best feasible things and ways to be aware for public safety will be of great help. We must interfere and do the best that we can give. It is not enough that one will just say: “I will participate! I will join!” but does nothing to help in the group. Words are worthless without actions that must be done.

                MAKIPAGTULUNGAN. Cooperation is the key to success. Without cooperation and participation, there will be no success. Every activity needs cooperation to bear fruitful results. Cooperation may serve as the fuel of a car to make it move. Thus, without cooperation, a group may just disintegrate and none of the group’s goals and aspirations will be achieved. Everyone is expected to cooperate in the best way possible to support, and help fire-prevention campaigns.

                MAKIISA, MAKIALAM at MAKIPAGTULUNGAN. This year’s theme believes in the power of the Filipino people to give their best. This calls for an effective move in the prevention of fire accidents. It may be in our own little ways like unplugging unused appliances, keeping unused gas stove closed, checking electrical wirings, keeping flammable things out of children’s reach, taking care of our environment, teaching and informing Filipino citizens, especially the youth of today in their unique role for the safety of the public.

                It is the duty of everyone to spare themselves, their families and their neighbors from the dangers of fire. We are doing this not only for ourselves but rather for our loved ones. When is the right time to act? When the time we will be affected? Our families killed? Our properties burned? Are we going to wait for that time we find ourselves mourning and suffering? This is the right time to unite, to act and to give our best efforts to save the community, and even the country as well, from the destruction of fire.

                                                                 (BFP Fire Prevention Month Celebration 2012 Winning Essay

                                                                                First Place Regional and National Level)