Chief Insp. Bartolome Biliran assumed his post as Bacolod Fire Marshal yesterday.

Biliran, a 2001 graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy and formerly assigned as Operations Division chief of the BFP Region 6 Office, said being the new fire chief of Bacolod is a big challenge for him.

Biliran said he is planning to meet the city’s businessmen to discuss the law requiring fire sprinklers systems.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia on Friday said he wrote to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo appealing for the retention of Chief Inspector Pamela Candido as Bacolod fire marshal, citing her dedication to public service and active involvement in activities that bring government closer to the people.

Leonardia said he is not giving up on the appeal to reinstate Candido even if Biliran has already taken over her post, but if the DILG will not heed their request, they will accept the decision and wish Candido luck in her new assignment as fire marshal of Bago City, Negros Occidental.

The mayor also assured that they will support Biliran the same way they supported Candido.

Biliran said he respects the decision of Leonardia to seek the retention of Candido, but he said there’s an order, they have to follow and he will meet the mayor any time this week to discuss his plans for the BFP.

Candido, meanwhile, said that she is happy to know that the city government is rallying behind her but she has to abide by the order transferring her to Bago City.

She appealed to the city government to also support Biliran, her classmate and whom she described as a good leader.

Candido said she is happy that under her six-year term as the fire marshal of Bacolod, the BFP was able to acquire three fire trucks, and two sub-stations were built in barangays Pahanocoy and Granada.

She also thanked the Bacolod BFP-personnel, and the Tanduay, Amity and Chamber Chinese volunteer fire brigades for their support to the BFP.*APN

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