The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that anomalies in firetruck procurement have significantly worsened the equipment shortage of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), limiting the government’s capacity to respond to emergencies nationwide.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the BFP’s current deficit of around 600 firetrucks is partly driven by overpriced contracts and alleged bid rigging in recent years, which reduced the number of units that could have been procured for public safety.

“Because of corruption and overpricing, we could have already procured an additional 400 fire trucks,” Remulla said, underscoring how irregularities directly translate to fewer resources on the ground.

He stressed that while demand from local government units remains high, internal reforms must come first to ensure that every peso is used properly.

“Sa akin, tiis-tiis muna tayo. Isasara ko muna ‘yung gripo sa loob ng BFP, aayusin ko lahat ‘yan, tapos bibili na tayo ng fire trucks,” he said.

“Ang karma lalabas sa mga anak mo. Wala sa dibdib ko (gawin ito), lima ang anak ko, na yung ipapakain ko sa kanila, yung pera, galing dito sa corruption na ‘to,” he added, noting that he had previously been offered a kickback of P1.5 million per firetruck.

As reforms continue within the BFP, the DILG is now moving to rebuild the Bureau’s operational capacity and close long-standing resource gaps.

“So ngayon, hopefully itong 2026 makaka-procure kami. I think we’re targeting 300 trucks this year and 300 trucks next year,” Remulla said.

The Department emphasized that strengthening accountability in procurement is critical not only to restoring public trust, but to ensuring that emergency responders are properly equipped to save lives when it matters most.