BACOLOD CITY — Reaffirming his commitment to youth empowerment and public safety, Mayor Greg Gasataya, in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Bacolod, led a special recognition and turnover ceremony during the Monday flag-raising rites at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds,Monday, April 6, 2026.

Young artists, including Sosito Tubal Jr. of Sum-ag Elementary School, were commended after he secured first place in both the regional and Bacolod City Fire Station drawing contests held during the celebration of Fire Prevention Month.

The city also recognized Kish Viscilleda Berden from Handumanan National High School, who clinched third place in the regional poster-making contest after winning first place at the city level. Meanwhile, Jasper Cuyos, a fourth-year College of Criminal Justice Education student at the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos, was honored for earning second place in the regional infographics-making contest. The city administration’s active support for local arts and safety campaigns was further highlighted through the success of “Diez Sitenta,” the official short film entry of the Bacolod City Fire Station.

The film, produced in close collaboration with the City Mayor’s Office and the Bacolod City Communications Office, won Best in Cinematography and secured second place overall at the BFP-NIR Apoy at Lente Short Film Making Festival. The team also placed third in the photo contest. This milestone underscores the local government’s successful integration of creative storytelling with public safety awareness.

The bureau also awarded the Barangay Tangub Community Fire Auxiliary Group for winning the recent 1st Mayor Greg Gasataya Fire and Rescue Olympics. In addition to celebrating these artistic achievements, the city government demonstrated its proactive stance on disaster readiness. Mayor Gasataya, alongside Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) Head Dr. Anna Maria Laarni M. Pornan, led the ceremonial turnover of 100 brand-new fire hoses to the BFP Bacolod City Fire Station.

The essential equipment, valued at Php 1,049,000 and funded through the city’s DRRMO, was officially received by City Fire Marshal FSUPT Jenny Mae C. Masip and Deputy City Fire Marshal FINSP Jemarie G. Tapiru. This substantial investment serves as a testament to the current administration’s unwavering dedication to equipping Bacolod’s first responders with the necessary resources to protect the community efficiently. (Bacolod City Communications Office)