DEPDev Region 5

DEPDEV BICOL STRENGTHENS WORKPLACE PREPAREDNESS THRU FIRE SAFETY ORIENTATION, SIMULATION DRILL

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development ( DEPDev) Region 5 conducted a fire safety orientation and fire drill on May 11, 2026, at the DEPDev 5 Office, Arimbay, Legazpi City.

Republic Act No. 9514, also known as the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, mandates the conduct of regular drills and that all buildings—including government offices—are to comply with fire safety measures.

Resource persons from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), SFO1 Ryan Irris C. Lodana and FO1 Marvin R. Peñarubia, were invited to share their expertise on the topic. They presented the causes of building fires, the 3Ps of fire safety (prevent, protect, and prepare), and the correct procedures to follow during emergencies. They advised that fire drills should be conducted at least twice a year or semi-annually.

After the orientation, a fire drill was conducted to simulate an emergency situation, highlighting the proper protocols and response procedures for an onset of fire in the office vicinity. These include the quick response of personnel in informing everyone in the office about the fire, coordinating with the BFP, proper evacuation procedures, and the manual operation and proper use of a fire extinguisher. The resource persons from the BFP monitored the drill to evaluate the effectiveness of the evacuation process. While the participants were able to properly execute the drill, it was recommended that further familiarization with the roles and procedures during a fire drill is still needed.

The activities served as an opportunity for the participants to be aware of fire hazards, ways to avoid them, and to learn about fire emergency protocols and response procedures.

DEPDev Region 5 is committed to conducting the prescribed semi-annual fire drills, acknowledging that continuous hands-on training is vital for protecting lives and property.

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DEPDev Region 5 proudly joins the 2026 Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month!

In line with Proclamation No. 818 s. 2025, we celebrate with ARTA under the theme “Achieving Results Through Transparency and Accountability: Towards a More Productive Bagong Pilipinas".

Through sustained reforms, innovation, and responsive governance, DEPDev remains committed to building a government that is transparent, efficient, and people‑centered—a government that empowers communities and drives inclusive growth across the Bicol Region.

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