BAGUIO City Councilor Elmer Datuin said barangays have to form their own fire inspection teams to augment the firefighting force of the Baguio Fire Department (BFD).

Recognizing that the BFD does not have enough manpower to inspect all of Baguio's buildings, Datuin asked barangay councils to create their respective fire inspection teams that would inspect houses, buildings and establishments within their areas of responsibility.

The barangays, meantime, would have to be furnished guidelines and other instructions for the conduct of inspections.

"Such a preventive measure would benefit the barangays, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of our constituents," he said.

"It is common knowledge and a perennial occurrence that fires are prevalent during the summer season, causing damage and losses to both life and property," Datuin said, adding that even a government office was not spared from fire.

The councilor cited the fire that hit the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila on March 11 and destroyed valuable documents that relate to election protests.