The fire at the Old Public Market has exposed a chain of weaknesses in Puerto Princesa City’s fire safety and emergency response system, from the absence of a confirmed cause to gaps in equipment, infrastructure, relocation safety, and emergency communications.
Cause of fire still unclear, forensic exam underway
Fire officials told the City Council that they are still verifying three different versions on how the January 28 fire started, underscoring the lack of a clear and final explanation weeks after the incident.
FO2 Randy Paz Jr., the designated arson investigator, said they can no longer rely on witness accounts alone and must depend on scientific and forensic examination to determine what really caused the fire.
According to Paz, the first version suggests that strong winds hit a tarpaulin, which struck styrofoam and then came into contact with a lighted bulb, causing sparks. The second version points to a post near the road that allegedly sparked. The third version involves the possible use of a heater.
“Base sa ating mga witness, ‘yung isa ay nakita n’ya na ‘yung trapal ay hinangin at tumama sa styro na tumama sa bulb na naka-on at nag-spark. Mayroon naman na witness natin na nakita ‘yung poste na malapit sa daan ng public market natin ay nag-spark,” Paz told the City Council/
“‘Yung sa may saksakan, nag-spark at doon may nakalagay na mga bag na gawa sa buri at tinamaan na rin ang mga light materials kaya sumiklab ang apoy. Ang isa namang witness ay nagsabi na may heater daw na pinagmulan daw ng sunog,” he added.
He said physical evidence recovered from Stall No. 17, identified as the fire’s point of origin, will be sent to the BFP main headquarters for forensic testing.
“Ipapadala na namin ang nakuhang physical evidence sa amin main headquarters para tingnan ng forensic experts. Ang maipapadala lang sa atin ng aming national headquarters sa forensic exams ay kung ito bang wire na ito ay nagkaroon ng short circuit o overloading or may iba pang specifics na nangyari doon sa wire na ‘yun,” he stated.
While the investigation continues, the City BFP said electrical failure remains the primary working theory, with the focus now on how the fire exactly started inside the stall.
One fire truck used during the blaze
The fire also revealed Puerto Princesa’s limited fire response capacity. During the incident, only one operational fire truck from the City BFP was used, forcing responders to rely on fire trucks from the city government, provincial government, and other agencies.
Palawan 3rd District Representative Gil Acosta Jr. said the lack of fire trucks has long been raised by the City BFP and was again discussed during their January 30 meeting at the office of Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
Push for more fire trucks and equipment
Acosta said he will seek additional fire trucks from the national government through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He said the city’s fire response weaknesses are often addressed only after major incidents.
“Dapat this year [2026] ay makapag-produce kami ng fire truck para sa BFP. Although mayroon ang city, pero doon mismo sa BFP ay dapat dagdagan naman nila. Dapat dagdagan ang fire truck kasi kung ako ang tatanungin mo, dapat bawat police station ay may fire station. Paano ang nasa labas [malalayong barangay] kapag nagkasunog doon, ano ang gagawin,” Acosta said.
Acosta also stressed the need to address gaps in fire hydrants and equipment.
He said lawmakers are aiming to secure at least one fire truck for Puerto Princesa City this year.
“Dapat alam din natin kung saan pa ba ang mga hot zones. Mayroon pa bang fire hydrants na dapat pagsaksakan ng kanilang mga tubo? As per BFP, mayroon naman pero kulang sa gamit at ‘yun ang dapat na sunod na tututukan natin,” he pointed out.
Acosta said Palawan’s representatives, including 1st District Representative Rose Salvame, 2nd District Representative Jose Ch. Alvarez, 3rd District Representative Gil Acosta Jr., and Pinoy Workers party-list Representative Franz Vincent Legazpi, are seeking to secure at least one fire truck for Puerto Princesa City this year through the national government, with plans to add more in the following years until each police station has access to a fire truck, or through a cost-sharing arrangement in which the city provides the land while the national government funds the building and facilities.
Vendors raise safety concerns over relocation plan
Safety concerns were also raised over plans to relocate fire-hit vendors to the second floor of the Old Public Market.
The Market Vendors Multi-Purpose and Producers Incorporated called on market authorities and the Office of the City Engineer to ensure the safety of the area before any relocation.
MMPPI President Teresa Gabayan said vendors from the shell section were previously removed due to falling concrete from the second floor, posing a risk to vendors and the public.
She questioned why vendors were allowed to return and why the same floor is now being considered for temporary use despite known structural hazards.
“Dapat siguro i-check po talaga kung saan doon yong mga talagang pwedeng mapaglagyan ng pwesto,” she said.
“Kung natandaan ninyo, yong ating shell section, binakante na po yon. Tinanggal na yon, inaalis yong mga nagtitinda sa shell section. Base na rin sa abiso ng ating engineering, na yong taas noon, pati yong kinalalagyan ng shell section, ay delikado na,” she asserted.
“Marami kasing nahuhulog na mga semento doon, baka mamaya ay maano tayo sa ganoong sitwasyon,” she further noted.
Gabayan said the group is not against relocation as long as safety is assured.
The Office of the City Engineer said it will re-inspect the second floor and admitted that the area has no occupancy permit, though a temporary permit may be issued.
Emergency hotline found busy during Council session
City councilors also questioned the reliability of the City BFP hotline after it was found busy when Councilor Herbert “Bong” Dilig tried to call it during a City Council session attended by BFP officials.
Dilig said the incident showed the need for a separate hotline exclusively for fire emergencies.
“Hihiling lang ako sa BFP-PPC na sana ay magkaroon kayo ng hotline na para lang talaga sa tawag ng emergency,” he said.
SFO Leonard Bryan Gacayan, deputy city fire marshall, explained that the City BFP currently uses only one number for all calls, which causes the line to become busy even if they follow the “3-rings rule.”
“Lahat ng kliyente, pumapasok dyan ang [tawag] ng mga magpa-follow up ng permits. Pag may mga concern, dyan lahat ng tawag. Minsan may mga request letter, basta ‘yan ang hotline number ng istasyon,” he said.
Councilor Modesto “Jonjie” Rodriguez II later clarified that he was the one speaking with City Fire personnel at the time Dilig made the call and that the hotline was eventually answered after two rings when tested again.
Despite this, councilors maintained that a dedicated fire emergency hotline is needed to avoid response delays and renewed public criticism.
BFP officials said they are working to fast-track the investigation results as affected vendors and residents continue to wait for clear answers on the Old Public Market fire.
