AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVITY OF

UGNAYAN SA BARANGAY: A BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM

INITIATIVE  IN PREVENTING

AND SUPPRESSING FIRE IN CONCEPCION, TARLAC

A Research Study for the Subject

Values, Ethics, and Social Advocacy

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter I. The Problem and Its Background

Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 3

Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................... 4

Significance of the Study ................................................................................................... 5

Scope and Delimitation ...................................................................................................... 6

Hypothesis .......................................................................................................................... 6

Definition of Key Terms .................................................................................................... 6

Review of Related Studies and Literature ......................................................................... 7

Chapter II. Methodology of Reaserch and Procedure .................................................................. 12

Research Design ............................................................................................................... 12

Reasearch Locale ............................................................................................................. 12

Data Gathering Techniques .............................................................................................. 13

Treatment of Data ............................................................................................................ 13

Data Management and Analysis ...................................................................................... 14

Chapter III. Presentation of Data and Interpretation of Results

Demographic Profile of the Respondents

Age ...................................................................................................................... 17

Sex ........................................................................................................................ 18

Civil Status .......................................................................................................... 18

Assessment of Ugnayan sa Barangay Effectivity ............................................................ 19

Fire Related Incident Report ........................................................................................... 22

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Chapter IV. Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

Summary .......................................................................................................................... 23

Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... 25

Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 26

List of Figures

Figure 1. Concepcion, Tarlac Map Location ................................................................... 14

List of Tables

Table 1. Age ..................................................................................................................... 17

Table 2. Sex ..................................................................................................................... 18

Table 3. Civil Status ......................................................................................................... 18

Table 4. Assessment of Ugnayan sa Barangay Effectivity .............................................. 20

Table 5. 2012 Fire Related Incident Report ..................................................................... 22

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Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

"An ounce of prevention is worth more than a gallon of suppression"

Concepcion is a fast growing municipality vulnerable to fire. Fire incidents are frequently

occurring during the summer season due to the hot weather. Most of this reported incidents are

grass fires which are usually created by farmers that burns the sugarcanes and eventually this

manmade created fire are usually being uncontrollable that creates large fires that affects

neighboring field and rapidly spreads. These incidents sometimes can be life threatening when it

occurs near the residential areas owned by farmers that are made up of light materials which are

highly combustible.

Another fire incident is the structural fire which involves residential, commercial, and

industrial. This type of fire is the most alarming, because this does not only involve properties

but also lives. This destructive event takes millions of properties and crops and the worst, it takes

lives. During the first quarter of the year 2012 there were six (6) grass fires reported and one (1)

vehicular fire. This fire incidents can be prevented or minimize the damages if the community

has the knowledge and skills on how to prevent and suppress fire on their own capability, but the

problem is most of them are not well educated on this types of situation especially on the rural

areas such as baranggays or sitios where fire incidents are usually reported.  

The “Ugnayan sa Barangay” is one of the programs of the Bureau of Fire and Prevention

(BFP) that allows all barangays to be active when it comes to fire prevention. It is one among the

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many programs of the BFP that aims in educating residents of barangays in fire prevention and

basic fire suppression techniques.

There are two phases in this program, the first one is on how to prevent the outbreak of

fire, safety tips are taught to the community and first aid are introduce to them such as fire

extinguishers and “what to do in case of fire”. The second one is The Fire Suppression, which

involves the selected personnel of the barangay. They will join the training with the BFP

personnel so they can learn the basic techniques in fire fighting. With this training, they can

prevent fire or when there is fire incident, the community can help to Bureau of Fire Protection

firefighter as they arrive to suppress fire.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of the study “AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVITY OF UGNAYAN

SA BARANGAY: A BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM INITIATIVE IN

PREVENTING AND SUPPRESSING FIRE IN CONCEPCION, TARLAC” is to determine the

effectiveness of the program and the effect of the program to the community.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following problems:

1. How may the demographic profile of the respondents be described in terms of?

a. Age

b. Sex;

c. Civil status;

2. What are the benefits of fire prevention programs?

3. What factors increase the risks for wildfire?

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4. How can Ugnayan sa Barangay affect the annual number of fire incidents?

5. How effective is the Ugnayan sa Barangay initiative based on the incident reports for

the year 2012?

Significance of the Study

This study will provide knowledge about the effectiveness of the trainings and seminars

conducted on the different barangays of Concepcion, Tarlac with regards to Ugnayan sa

Barangay and was deemed significant for it benefits the following:

BFP Personnel.   The BFP personnel particularly  assigned  on Concepcion, Tarlac will

benefit with this study given that they serve as the front-liner unit in dealing with bureau of fire-

community interaction and implementing BFP planned program of activities specially on fire

prevention and suppression.

 Community . To the community of Concepcion, wherefrom fire services begins and end,

this study represent the BFP’s continuing attempts to improve delivery of fire prevention

services through a more effective prevention programs anchored upon fire department-

community relationships, thus, will more likely to reveal how responsive the two-way

communication between the bureau of fire and the community could be firmly established with

the end on view of attaining better safety in communities and consequently, to identify the extent

to which this programs and activities were being implemented.

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Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The research study was conducted at Concepcion, Tarlac. It is focused on the fire

incidents and seminar programs given by the Bureau of Fire protection in the different

barangays of Concepcion. The study was conducted on January to February 2013 and

particularly aims to identify the effectiveness of “Ugnayan sa Barangay” year 2012.

Hypothesis

This study will be guided by the hypothesis that: If the implementation strategies have

been effective, positive and sustainable changes in fire prevention and awareness of the

community.

Definition of Key Terms

 Terms here are conceptually and operationally defined for better understanding of the

readers.

Fire – Is an active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.

Fire Incident – The situation where an outbreak of fire happens or an uncontrollable fire

occurs.

Grass Fire – A type of fire that involves wild grass or field crops.

Structural Fire – A type of fire that involves building such as residential, commercial and

industrial areas.

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Fire Prevention – These are the safety tips on how to prevent the outbreak of fire.

Fire Suppression - The process on which the fire is extinguished proper and safe manner.

Fire loss potential - the relative likelihood of a devastating wildfire occurring within a specific

area.

Wildfire Hazard - the relative likelihood that a fire, once started, will become disastrous.

Review of Related Studies and Literature

Foreign Literature

Introducing community fire safety programmes is complex since the system

involves many different parties. The programmes are linked to national goals and

developed in a process that includes both legislation and education. There are local,

national, private and official organizations with knowledge, interest and competence that

should be involved. Focus should be on domestic dwellings but take into consideration

the risk of fire in other buildings.

School children and the elderly are examples of victim groups that could be

reached by information. The partnership includes industry and the owners of many

facilities where inspections and legal action is needed. Many methods are used to achieve

the targets and several means can be used at the same time. Try to get community fire

safety on the agenda. It is a way to strengthen the position of fire safety. To be systematic

a risk-based approach is used. (Swedish Rescue Services Agency and co financed by the

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European Commission, Civil Protection Unit under the Community action programme in

the field of civil protection (2000-2004)

Local Literature

Concepcion is a first class urban municipality in the province of Tarlac,

Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 139,832 people. The

2007 Municipal Survey counted Concepcion with 133,011 of Population.

Concepcion is one of the largest municipalities of the province of Tarlac. It is 7.5

kilometers from the Capas junction along McArthur Highway. It lies on the southeastern

tip of Tarlac, bordered in the south by Magalang, Pampanga, in the east by San Antonio,

Nueva Ecija, in the northeast by La Paz, in the northwest by Tarlac City, in the west by

Capas, and in the southwest by Bamban. It covers an area of 245.7 km² and populated by

103,081 (1990 NCSO Census) /115,138 (Municipal Survey) and recently last 2007

Census it has 135, 213 inhabitants . It has two great rivers, the first being Lucong river

which originates from Dingding and Namria creeks in Capas, Tarlac is visible from the

bridge at Barangay Santiago, it merges with the Rio Chico before joining the Pampanga

River. The second is Parua river which originates from Sacobia-Bamban river that comes

from Mount Pinatubo. Parua River is heavily silted with 7 meters of sand deposits, it's

bridge was destroyed by Lahar and is visible at Barangay San Nicolas Balas, it also

merges with the Rio Chico before joining Pampanga River. Both rivers are utilized for

irrigating agricultural lands of the town, consisting mainly of rice and sugar crops. Parua

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river which at times appears as a bed of sand due to the scarcity of water, is also a Quarry

site for sand and Ash used as construction material etc. (www.wikipedia.com)

Barangays

Concepcion is politically subdivided into 45 barangays.

In 1860, the towns of Concepcion and Magalang once comprised a single town named

San Bartolome (presently an abandoned town and a barangay of Concepcion) which was

a military "Commandancia" of Pampanga under the Spanish regime. A great inundation

devastated the whole settlement of then San Bartolome in 1863 and the people were left

with no other choice but to abandon the place. It was also at this point when the people

were divided as to the place where they are to resettle. Some went North and others went

South. The first group headed by Don Pablo Luciano, the Governadorcillo, organized its

own settlement in the slope of Mt. Arayat down South and named the settlement after

him. Eventually, the place was renamed Magalang. The second group who took refuge up

North comprised the Santoses, Laxamanas, Salvadors, Yumuls, Castros, Dizons, Pinedas,

Felicianos, Aquinos, Cortezes, Bermudezes, Perezes, and many others, and settled to a

place (now called Sto. Nino) then occupied by the Lindos and the Amuraos (Don

Esquolastiquo Amurao and Don Gaston Amurao), to be their new site.

Most of the settlers became dissatisfied with the place as it abounds with snakes and was

scarce in water. They moved further South to a place we now know as Concepcion. The

settlers began clearing the land and built huts and roads. After several years, they named

their place Concepcion, after the Immaculate Concepcion, who is believed to be

miraculous and to possess power over snakes that abound the place.

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BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION

The Bureau of Fire Protection was created by virtue of RA 6975 primarily to

perform and be responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires on

building, houses and other structures, forest, land transportation vehicles and equipment,

ships vessels docked at piers or wharves anchored in major seaports, petroleum industry

installations, Plane crashes and other similar activities.

They are responsible for the enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines (PD

1185) and other related laws. Also they had the power to investigate all causes of fires

and if necessary, file the proper complaint with the city or provincial prosecutor who has

jurisdiction of the case.

In time of national emergency, all elements of the BFP shall upon direction of the

President, assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines in meeting the national emergency

and shall establish at least one (1) fire station with adequate personnel, firefighting

facilities and equipment in every provincial capital, city and municipality subject to

standard rules and regulations as maybe promulgated by the Department of Interior and

Local Government.

Bureau of Fire Protection Mission is to prevent and suppress destructive fires,

enforce fire-related laws and provide emergency medical and rescue services.

Their vision is a world class fire protection agency working towards a fire safety

conscious society.

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CHAPTER II

THE METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH AND PROCEDURE

           This chapter discusses the methods of research employed by the researcher to gather the

needed data. It includes the Research design, sampling technique, the instruments used with its

construction, validation, administration and retrieval, and the statistical treatment of data.

Research Design

 This study will employ the Descriptive Method of research. Carter and Good defines it

as a process of gathering facts concerning nature and status of anything that is of interest and

important. It is also useful when the investigation wishes to known or capture the process which

explains the characteristics and behavior of a person, group or institution under investigation.

 This Study focuses on the assessment of the effectivity of the BFP-community

relationship with regards to Ugnayan sa Barangay initiative.

Research Locale

The research study focused on twenty (20) residents of Concepcion Tarlac.

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Figure 1 Concepcion, Tarlac Map Location

Data Gathering Techniques

Internet Research. This provided various information and ideas useful in this study. It

made the researchers familiar and knowledgeable with the information needed to pursue this

study.

Interview. This is the most reliable source of information because the respondents and the

researchers have a face to face interaction. Data gathering were used in determining the demand

and supply in the given area.

Questionnaires. The researchers distributed questionnaire sheets to the respondents.

Treatment of Data

The major assumptions on the study are based on the data obtained from interviews and

questionnaires distributed.

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Data Management and Analysis

Descriptive statistics was used in analyzing the data gathered. Descriptive statistics

described the data collected on a research sample. The pertinent information on the study was

stated descriptively.

To analyze the data gathered in this study, the following statistical tools were utilized

such as frequency, percentage and weighted mean.

For the demographic profile of the respondents, the following statistical treatments used

are:

a. Frequency Distribution. It is a systematic way to list series of observation of

variables. This is done by categorizing and tabulating the frequency of each

occurrence.

b. Percentage. It had to be obtained in order to determine the portion of each response as

a part of the whole.

% = f/N x 100

Where:

% = represents percentage

f = represents frequency count

N = represents total frequency counted

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c. Weighted Mean. In order to identify the average weight or the degree of occurrence,

the weight. The formula used for the weighted mean is:

WM = TWF N

Where:

WM – represents weighted mean

WF – represents weighted frequency

N - represents number of Sample

Weighted Mean Verbal Interpretation

4.50   -   5.0 Strongly Agree

3.50   -   4.49 Agree

2.50   -   3.49 Neutral

1.50   -   2.49 Disagree

1.0     -   1.49 Strongly Disagree

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Chapter III

PRESENTATION OF DATA AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

This chapter presents the data gathering of the study, interpretation of the results from the

conducted surveys and interviews.

Demographic Profile of the Respondents

a. Age

Table 1 shows the age bracket of the respondents. 60% of them is 31-40 years of

age, 20% are 41-50 years old, 15% belongs to the 21-30 bracket while the

remaining 5% if 51-above.

Table 1 Age

Age Bracket Frequency Percentage

21-30 3 15%

31-40 12 60%

41-50 4 20%

51-above 1 5%

Total 20 100%

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b. Sex

The table below shows the gender distribution of the respondents. 65% or

the majority of the respondents are male while the remaining 35% are

female.

Table 2 Sex

Frequency Percentage

Male 13 65%

Female 7 35%

Total 20 100%

c. Civil status

When it comes to the civil status of the respondents, the majority or 75% of them

are married, 20% are single and 5% are separated.

Table 3 Civil Status

Frequency Percentage

Single 4 20%

Married 15 75%

Separated 1 5%

Widowed 0 0%

Total 20 100%

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Table 4 shows the responses of the respondents with their weighted mean and their

respective verbal interpretation.

Ninety five percent (95%) of the respondents believed that their community possesses

potential fire problems and needs to be addresses quickly, with a weighted mean of 4.95 and a

verbal interpretation of strongly agree. This means that the respondents are aware that their

community requires changes in order to address the needs.

Rapid urban expansion and uses of resources challenges land and resource managers,

urban planners, governing entities, and emergency service agencies. It also has the potential to

greatly affect the quality of life for people who use and choose to live in the area known as the

wildland/urban interface.

Addressing the fire prevention problem requires a community and government

understanding of all resource management challenges associated with urban growth and

increased use. This is best accomplished at the local level where problems are the most obvious

and immediate.

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Table 4 Assessment of Ugnayan sa Barangay Effectivity

Mean

Verbal

Interpretation

Our community possesses potential fire problems and

needs to be addresses quickly.4.95 Strongly Agree

The fire prevention and suppression initiatives of the local

Fire Department meets the needs of the community.4.70 Strongly Agree

The trainings conducted provided ample knowledge with

fire prevention and basic fire fighting techniques.4.85 Strongly Agree

The objectives of Ugnayan sa Barangay were clear. 4.80 Strongly Agree

The instructor was helpful and contributed to the learning

experience.4.90 Strongly Agree

The topics covered in this program were relevant to present

situation of our community.5.00 Strongly Agree

I will be participating in other fire prevention programs

soon.4.70 Strongly Agree

The majority of the respondents also believe that the fire prevention and suppression

initiatives of the local Fire Department meets the needs of the community. Having a weighted

mean of 4.70 and a verbal interpretation of strongly agree, this reveals that the initiatives of the

local fire department is effective given that it meets the needs of the community.

Communities need comprehensive fire prevention programs to reduce fire losses to an

acceptable level. Governmental agencies also must understand and clearly illustrate their specific

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roles in dealing with fire prevention and ensure that the public shares the responsibility for the

resolution of these problems.

Additionally, 85% of the respondents felt that the trainings conducted provided ample

knowledge with fire prevention and basic fire fighting techniques, with a weighted mean of 4.85

and a verbal interpretation of strongly agree.

A comprehensive, objective and defensible fire prevention plan will enable the fire

department to address risk management, budget and accountability issues. Identifying the fire

risks, planning appropriate solutions and implementing them reduces the possibility of the

department being found liable for damages resulting from losses.

Having a weighed mean of 4.80 and a verbal interpretation of strongly agree, the

respondents believed that the objectives of Ugnayan sa Barangay were clear. In order to

effectively implement a program, its objectives and goals must be clear to all those involved.

The majority or 90% of the respondents strongly believed that the instructor was helpful

and contributed to the learning experience, with a weighted mean of 4.90. Also, having a

weighed mean of 5.00, the respondents strongly believed that the topics covered in Ugnayan sa

Barangay were relevant to present situation of our community. Lastly, 80% of the respondents

will be participating in other fire prevention programs soon.

A fire safe community is one that has taken as many measures aspossible to survive a

fire. Staying fire safe requires regular attention and maintenance, and the support of the entire

community. By working together as partners towards a fire safe community, the local fire

department and civilians share resources and accomplish much more than they can individually.

Table 5 2012 Fire Related Incident Report

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No. of Barangays

trained No. of incidents

1st quarter 7 1 VEHICULAR/ 6 GRASS FIRE

2nd quarter 11 NO FIRE INCIDENT

3rd quarter 13 1 RESIDENTIAL/ 2 RESCUE

4th quarter 10 1 RESCUE(VEHICULAR)

At the beginning of the year, there was one vehicular accident and 6 reported grass fires.

There was no fire incident on the 2nd quarter of 2012; 1 residential and 2 rescue fire incidents

during the 3rd quarter. On the fourth quarter, there was 1 vehicular rescue incident. These

numbers reveal that as Ugnayan sa barangay reaches more people and more barangays, less fire

related incidents happened. This additionally proves the effectivity of the said program.

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Chapter IV

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

SUMMARY

This chapter presents the summary of the findings, conclusions and recommendations

based on the results of the study.

Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the benefits of fire prevention programs?

A fire safe community is one that has taken as many measures as possible to

survive a fire. Staying fire safe requires regular attention and maintenance, and the

support of the entire community.

Two of the most important benefits of fire prevention programs is the reduction of

loss of human life and property and the reduction for resource losses.

A safer environment is one of the obvious benefits of a fire safe community.

There are other, less tangible, advantages as well. For example, residents and business

owners who work together on fire safe projects establish pride in ownership in their

community and are more likely to maintain the results of their efforts.

There are economic benefits, too. Businesses that provide fire safe services can

expect repeat customers; fire safe properties may have higher property values and lower

insurance premiums. Lost wages, lost business, and recovery time can be reduced in the

event of a fire.

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2. What factors increase the risks for wildfire?

Based on the research performed, the following problems have increased the risks

for wildfire:

The desire to live in a secluded area surrounded by natural vegetation without

defensible space is one usual problem observed. Also, homes in Concepcion are usually

built of flammable materials. Fire equipment is also hampered from protecting an area

because of long, narrow, winding, or steep driveways.

Distance from fire departments is also another problem. Another problem is the

lack of communication in these areas.  Some of them are too far from the fire station or

don’t have landline phones to be able to directly call the station. Another one is the

distance of each baranggay. Most of this places will take about half hour or an hour

before the fire fighters reach the destination.

3. How can Ugnayan sa Barangay affect the annual number of fire incidents?

Ugnayan sa Barangay is one among the many programs of the BFP that aims in

educating residents of barangays in fire prevention and basic fire suppression techniques.

Ugnayan sa Barangay was able cut the growing statistic of destructive fires particularly in

fire prone areas or large residential areas within the city. The training provided together

with the introduction and overview of the activity on how to prevent fires, what to do in

case of fire, how to use fire extinguishers, and fire safety tips.

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4. How effective is the Ugnayan sa Barangay initiative based on the incident reports for

the year 2012?

The statistics gathered revealed that as Ugnayan sa barangay reaches more people

and more barangays, less fire related incidents happened. This additionally proves the

effectivity of the said program.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

The Bureau of Fire Protection is giving its best in helping the community. The “Ugnayan

sa Barangay” aims not only to help firefighters during the operation but also to educate the

community on how to prevent and suppress fire during fire outbreak. With this program the

firefighters will share their knowledge and skill to the community by teaming up with the

barangay officials, key personnel and more importantly the community itself.

Making the best use of available resources is essential to effectively reduce fire losses.

Fire departments must plan their fire prevention activities properly to ensure that the community

is provided with the most effective and efficient service possible.

Communities need comprehensive fire prevention programs to reduce fire losses to an

acceptable level. The process put forward in this research will assist fire departments in planning

or reviewing fire prevention programs to meet the needs of the community. It will help to

provide the best available solutions to manage fire risks through the most effective and efficient

use of resources. A comprehensive, objective and defensible fire prevention plan will enable a

department to address risk management, budget and accountability issues. Identifying the fire

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risks, planning appropriate solutions and implementing them reduces the possibility of the

department being found liable for damages resulting from losses. It will also help to ensure that

the necessary services are being provided to the community in the most effective and efficient

manner.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the above findings the following recommendations are hereby given:

Barangay residents to constantly hold the same activity to make them updated on

whatever information there is related to fire and disaster preparedness. The BFP aims to promote

awareness of the public on the hazards of fire so as to be vigilant, and the agency appeals for

their support and cooperation to their fire prevention advocacy towards the attainment of a zero

fire incident year. The success of this campaign will certainly help the city’s economic growth

and consequently of the country as well.

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