UP Cebu Chancellor Atty. Leo Malagar, FireCheck 2.0 Project Leader Dr. Jonnifer Sinogaya, BFP 7 Regional Director FC Supt. Roberto Genave, and Cebu City Fire Marshal F Supt. Reynaldo Enoc signed the Memorandum of Agreement between UP Cebu and Bureau of Fire Protection Region VII to solidify the collaboration and partnership for FireCheck 2.0.
FireCheck 2.0 is a fire hazard mapping and investment planning project covering fire-prone barangays in Cebu City. It is one of the twenty-five projects funded by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) through its Innovation Grants.
Dr. Jonnifer Sinogaya was glad to announce that the project will be implemented in Cebu City as a follow-up project of the DOST-funded project, with the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-lapu as initial collaborators. For its second iteration, dubbed FireCheck 2.0, it will install a fire-fighting facility in a fire-prone area based on the fire hazard map and suitability analysis.
Lead researcher Mr. Jao Bañados presented the project’s workplan and updates. He emphasized that through the signing of the MOA, the project team and the BFP VII could work closely on the project’s investment planning and neighborhood evacuation planning phases.
BFP Regional Director Genave expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with UP Cebu as it would introduce innovations to prevent and manage fire incidents.
Councilor Joel Garganera, Chairman of the Committee on Disaster Response of the Cebu City Council, witnessed the MOA signing. He shared that the MOA signing is apt as we celebrate National Disaster Resilience Month.
Also present to witness the MOA signing were Assistant Regional Director for Operations, FS Supt. Pedro Balatero, Chief Legal Officer, F. Supt. Rodolfo Pfleider, and Marfy Lita from the National Research Council of the Philippines. ###