KORONADAL CITY, March 15 -- Amid the rising heat index brought by the El Nino phenomenon, the Bureau of Fire Protection in the Soccsksargen Region (BFP-12) on Friday urged the public to take safety measures and help prevent fires.

Since January, the BFP Soccsksargen has recorded 92 fire cases in the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani and the cities of Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos.

"As compared to last year, this year's fire incidents are slightly lower, but this does make firefighters and the public to be complacent," Fire Sr. Insp. Evelyn Barbaso. BFP-12 Information unit chief, said during a Philippine Information Agency-South Cotabato social media broadcast.

Last year, Bar...