Report by: Mary Antonie Joan Alberto at Angelo James Fababeir
Promoting safety and readiness of the university, the University of the Philippines Los Baños Safety and Security Office (UPLB-SSO) officially launched its groundbreaking alternative fire alarm system this morning, March 22, at the Student Union Building Entrance.
The Babala at Abiso para sa Tiyak Na Kaligtasan ng Bawat Isa (BATINGAW) is an alternative fire alarm system that serves as an early warning device for disasters and emergencies especially during power interruptions in the university.
RING THE BATINGAW. Chancellor Jose V. Camacho leads the striking of the newly launched UPLB BATINGAW fire alarm system, an early warning device spearheaded by the UPLB Safety and Security Office. (Photo by: Joey Alberto)
The device is a future-proofing effort in disaster response of the UPLB Risk, Emergency, And Disaster (READY) program of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs (OVCCA) through the UPLB-SSO.
The event was also graced by UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr., Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Robert P. Cereno, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Janette H. Malata-Silva, UPLB Planning and Maintenance Office (UPMO) Director Haerold Dean Layaoen, SSO Deputy Director Rene Melgar, and College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technologies Student Council (CEAT-CSC) Chairperson Mark Angelo Roma.
Through this launching, the first BATINGAW was turned over to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA).
Security Officer II Grizelda P. Marza of the Crisis and Emergency Response Unit (CERU) of SSO highlighted that there are already three more BATINGAW pieces ready to be strategically placed in different buildings of the university including dormitories and public spaces.
“We have 99 buildings as per the UPMO, so iyon ang goal namin, at least malagyan ang majority ng mga buildings natin ng UPLB BATINGAW kasi very helpful sya dahil kapag nawalan ng kuryente, paano malalaman ng iba na may ganito [emergency],” SO II Marza explained.
(We have 99 buildings as per the UPMO, so our goal is to at least provide the majority of our buildings with the UPLB BATINGAW since it is very helpful to be informed of emergencies, especially when there are power interruptions.)
Moreover, according to Special Police Assistant Chief Jonathan D. Maliwat of the CERU, the creation of the new fire alarm system was a response to the feedback of several fire and earthquake drills and exercises that there were non-functional fire alarms and were mostly dependent on electricity.
SECURED SUSTAINABLY. The UPLB BATINGAW alternative fire alarm system promotes sustainability through utilizing sustainable materials in its creation while ensuring safety among UPLB constituents. (Photo by: Joey Alberto)
Fostering sustainability, the BATINGAW is made out of recycled LPG tanks, dumbbell weights, and metal chains mostly donated by SSO staff. Its frame is made out of metal bars with wheel attachments to ensure its mobility, if needed.
The SSO also expressed their openness for both in-kind and cash donations to sustain the creation of more BATINGAWs that will be provided to other buildings and units in the university. For those who are willing to donate, they are recommended to visit the UPLB SSO Headquarters or reach out to SO II Marza.