Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno lauded the unified efforts of various government agencies in addressing the recent grass fire in Carasi, Ilocos Norte. He emphasized that the strong spirit of cooperation demonstrated throughout the emergency reflects President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a whole-of-government approach to disaster response.
“The commitment we have witnessed is a shining example of the Filipino bayanihan spirit,” Nepomuceno stated. “It is this spirit of unity, strengthened by the guidance of our President, that empowers us to overcome challenges together.”
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Ilocos Region, under the leadership of Director Laurence Mina, played a pivotal role in continuous monitoring and coordinating response efforts with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Ilocos Norte, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Carasi, and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Additionally, the OCD requested air support from the Tactical Operations Group 1 (TOG1) and Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) for aerial reconnaissance and heli-bucket operations.
Incident Overview:
On January 30, 2025, at 2:30 PM, the MDRRMO of Carasi reported a significant grass fire in Barangay Barbaquezo, affecting approximately 287 hectares of land, including 50 hectares under the National Greening Program managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Swift and Coordinated Response:
The MDRRMO Carasi, in coordination with the BFP and DENR forest rangers, responded promptly to contain the fire, preventing further spread and reducing its intensity. The Carasi Municipal Police Station, along with the 1st and 2nd Philippine Marine Force Companies (PMFC), provided security and logistical support to the firefighting teams.
On January 31, the Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group 1 arrived to conduct heli-bucket operations. Their specialized training in aerial firefighting, completed the previous year, proved instrumental in effectively managing the blaze.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, the BFP Ilocos Norte declared the situation under control by noon on January 31, with heli-bucket operations continuing throughout the day to saturate hotspots and prevent reignition. By 2:00 PM, the fire was officially declared extinguished. However, ground teams remained vigilant to ensure safety in the affected areas.
Post-Incident Assessment and Agreements:
On February 1, 2025, at 7:00 AM, aerial reconnaissance was conducted to assess the aftermath of the incident. This was followed by a Management Team Close-Out Meeting at 8:00 AM, where key agreements were established:
- Establishment of fire lines to prevent future outbreaks.
- Continuous monitoring of residual smoke by DENR forest rangers.
- Reinforcement of interoperability between National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs).
- Commendation proposals for all responders through certificates of recognition.
- Acknowledgment of the exceptional efforts of uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Operations were officially terminated at 8:40 AM.
Leadership and Multi-Agency Collaboration:
Director Laurence Mina presided over the situation update briefing and coordinated with key local offices and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) via video conference from Laoag International Airport.
The incident response showcased exemplary collaboration, involving personnel from multiple agencies:
- BFP Ilocos Norte: 10 personnel
- PNP Ilocos Norte: 12 personnel
- 1st & 2nd Ilocos Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company (INPMFC): 14 personnel
- MDRRMO Carasi: 3 personnel
- 4th Marine Brigade: 16 personnel
- DENR Ilocos Norte: 10 personnel
- Philippine Army (102nd Infantry Brigade): 20 personnel
- PDRRMO Ilocos Norte: 2 personnel
The NDRRMC also provided critical support by deploying two aerial assets—a Blackhawk helicopter and a Huey helicopter—to bolster firefighting operations.
Moving Forward:
The MDRRMO of Carasi continues to monitor the area closely and will provide updates as necessary. This incident highlights the importance of preparedness, inter-agency collaboration, and swift response in mitigating the impact of natural hazards. It also underscores the resilience and unity of the Filipino people in safeguarding communities against disasters.