Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

(UPDATED) The fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Department of Public Works and Highways–Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH–CAR) mainly affected the office’s Financial Management Records Room, authorities confirmed on Thursday.Baguio City Fire Marshal Mark Anthony Dangatan said the fire originated from the records room.The incident was reported at around 5:25 p.m., contained by 5:36 p.m., and declared fire out at 5:43 p.m.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/15/sunog-sa-dpwh-car-nagmula-sa-financial-management-records-room-0724">Sunog sa DPWH CAR, nagmula sa financial management records room</a></div>No injuries were reported.Initial information from responders indicated that a utility worker first noticed smoke coming from the financial records room and immediately alerted security personnel and drivers in the area, according to a statement by the Baguio City Public Information Office.“Together they attempted to control the fire using four 10-lb fire extinguishers. Their efforts continued until the Baguio City Fire Station personnel arrived at the scene and took over the fire suppression operations,&quot; Dangatan said.In a separate statement, the DPWH Central Office said the site is now fully secured.“The Department is currently working in close coordination with the BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) and the Local Government of Baguio City to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the cause of the incident,” it added.ABS-CBN News tried to get more information on which documents were affected and if there were backup copies available, but the DPWH said the investigation is still underway, noting that “additional information will be provided as soon as available.”This is the second DPWH office hit by a fire amid investigations into anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.Last October 2025, fire also struck the DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards building in Quezon City. But Secretary Vince Dizon assured the public that they had already digitally backed up all relevant documents in the affected offices.<div> </div><div>WITNESSES</div><div> </div>Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said witnesses reported seeing a spark from an electrical post beside the DPWH–CAR office shortly before a fire broke out at the building.Magalong said this is based on the initial investigation of the Baguio City Fire Station (BCFS). “Ang sabi ng mga imbestigador, ang mga witnesses daw, before nangyari yung sunog, nagkaroon ng spark yung isang electrical post sa tabi ng DPWH Regional Office. After that it was followed by the fluctuation ng current and then doon na yun, nakaamoy na sila ng sunog, trinace nga nila, doon nila na-determine na umaapoy na yung kanilang stock room,” said Magalong. The BFCS has submitted pieces of evidence to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Central Office, which Magalong said will now take over the probe. They have yet to determine whether the fire was accidental or intentional. “Ang mga ebidensyang nakuha nila, itong mga materials na para macheck nila kung talagang may accelerators, doon mo made-determine kasi kung talagang intentional. Kumuha rin sila ng mga sample ng wires… Doon rin nila malalaman kung talagang electrical ba yung cause,” he said. Magalong hopes the BFP will be able to come out with the results of their investigation by Monday or after five days. In the meantime, Magalong said the DPWH–CAR office has been secured, with access restricted to authorized personnel only. “Nag-usap na kaagad kami ni (Public Works) Secretary Vince Dizon. Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Don’t you worry, our fire and our policemen, magdadagdag pa ‘ko ng mga tao, para siguradong walang makakapasok doon sa site of incident nung fire,’” he said.Field officers from the DPWH Central Office have also arrived in Baguio City to conduct a parallel assessment and to determine which specific documents were affected by the fire. Baguio City Fire Marshal Mark Anthony Dangatan earlier said that the fire originated from the Financial Management Records Room, with an estimated affected area of about one square meter inside the building.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/14/ex-dpwh-sec-bonoan-gave-wrong-coordinates-of-flood-control-projects-lacson-2126">Ex-DPWH Sec. Bonoan gave wrong coordinates of flood control projects—Lacson</a></div>Magalong admitted he initially felt suspicious upon learning about the incident, especially amid ongoing investigations into anomalous flood control projects. But he said he is choosing to refrain from speculation, and to just let the probe into the fire run its course. “I cannot deny the fact na naging suspetyoso rin ako when I found out na nagkaroon ng sunog. Ang una kong tinanong is, ano mga nasunog? May mga dokumento bang nasunog? Kasi importante talaga lagi yun. Being an investigator, I would always base my statement on facts and supported by evidence. Pinakamaganda siguro, let us not come up with intriguing comments,” added Magalong.

The fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Department of Public Works and Highways–Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH–CAR) mainly affected the office’s Financial Management Records Room, authorities confirmed on Thursday.

The fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon at the Department of Public Works and Highways–Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH–CAR) mainly affected the office’s Financial Management Records Room, authorities confirmed on Thursday.

Fire hits DPWH-Cordillera financial records room in Baguio City

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Fire hits DPWH-Cordillera financial records room in Baguio City

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 15, 2026 04:14 PM PHT

|

Updated Jan 15, 2026 07:54 PM PHT

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DPWH-Cordillera

Sunog

Baguio City

Financial management records

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