June 29, 2023
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. led the distribution of 56 new firetrucks to recipient local government units (LGUs) nationwide as he assured the public that public safety remains to be top a priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the Department.
“Ang pamamahagi ng mga makabago at state-of-the-art fire trucks na ito ay isang testamento na pangunahing prayoridad ng ating Pangulong Marcos at ng DILG ang kaligtasan ng ating mga pamayanan at ng mga mamamayan,” Abalos said during the turnover ceremony in the Bureau of Fire (BFP) Headquarters in Quezon City.
Abalos said the firetrucks, which cost P14-million each, were distributed to Region 1 with six units; Region 2 with three; Region 3 with five; Region 4A with seven; Region 4B with four; Region 5 with three; Region 6 with three; Region 7 with four; Region 8 with two; Region 9 with four; Region 10 with one; Region 11 with four; and, Region 12 with five.
The Bangsamorro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao also received one firetruck; two for the Cordillera Administrative Region; and one each for National Capital Region and CARAGA.
Each of the firetrucks is fully equipped with firefighting equipment, such as a complete set of Firefighter’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Firefighter’s Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); firefighting hoses and nozzles; foam generating nozzle with alcohol-resistant – aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF); and other firefighting operation tools and accessories designed using the appropriate fire service standards adaptable to the country’s condition.
Abalos said the distributed firetrucks are among the 94 units of 1000-capacity fire trucks that were part of the 2022 procurement plan of BFP. He said 63 more units of 1000-gallon capacity fire trucks and other modern equipment are expected to be procured for BFP this 2023.
The DILG Secretary likewise assured of the continued enhancement of firefighters skills saying that the BFP is gearing towards introducing new learning, firefighting techniques and up-to-date technologies in the near future.
“Tuloy-tuloy po ang pagpapalawig natin sa kakayanan at kakayahan ng ating mga firefighters to realize the Bureau’s vision to of a modern fire service fully capable of ensuring a fire-safe nation by 2034. With the modern equipment we are providing our BFP, let us remember that our equipment is only as effective as the individual who runs it,” Abalos said.
With the DILG Chief during the turnover ceremony were BFP Chief Louie S. Puracan, Acting Deputy Chief for Administration Jesus P. Fernandez, DILG Undersecretary Juan Victor R. Llamas, and other BFP officials. Local chief executives and other representatives from LGUs were also present during the said activity.
Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-assures-public-safety-is-a-priority-of-PBBM-DILG-distributes-56-firetrucks-to-LGUs/NC-2023-1115