BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
A portion of a mountain in Barangay Bakakeng Norte, Baguio City, caught fire on the evening of March 17.
Authorities believe the fire started from unattended burning trash.
Residents of a nearby subdivision were alarmed when they saw the large fire spreading in the area around 6 p.m.
Videos taken by concerned citizens showed some residents moving their vehicles away from the fire, fearing it would spread further. Firefighters soon arrived to contain the blaze.
By morning, the damage was evident.
Around 1,000 square meters of land had been burned, with several pine trees scorched at the base.
According to Barangay Kagawad Benito Silvino, the fire was caused by an elderly worker who left the burning trash unattended.
“The worker was told not to leave the burning trash, but he still did,” Silvino said in a phone interview. He also emphasized that the barangay regularly reminds residents that burning trash is prohibited.
The fire was put out an hour after it was reported to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Open burning of waste and dry leaves is illegal under Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Waste Management Act.
Violators may face fines ranging from 300 pesos to 1,000 pesos or imprisonment of one to 15 days.
