The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to roll out 1,500 firetrucks nationwide over the next one and a half years to address gaps in firefighting equipment and strengthen emergency response capabilities across the country.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the firetrucks will be acquired through a government-to-government agreement with the Republic of Korea, ensuring a direct and transparent procurement process without middlemen.

“Within one and a half years, kumpleto na lahat ang munisipyo, wala na tayong magiging problema. Kumpleto na sa buong Pilipinas,” Remulla said.

He said the Office of the President, DILG, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are coordinating directly with the South Korean government on the acquisition.

“This is the cleanest transaction that is possible with the best possible benefit sa lahat ng mga Pilipino,” he added.

Remulla made the announcement during the turnover of 20 Class 1 Unified 911 emergency response motorcycles to Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) at Camp General Martin Teofilo B. Delgado in Iloilo City.

“People should expect more. They should not expect less from their police and the BFP,” he said.

Of the 20 Honda PCX160 motorcycles, 10 were turned over to the Aklan Police Provincial Office, received by Police Colonel Arnel P. Ramos and Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores. The remaining 10 were turned over to the Iloilo City Police Office, received by Police Colonel Wilbert T. Parilla and Iloilo City Administrator Melchor Tan.

Remulla said the motorcycles will reinforce the logistical capabilities of emergency responders following the nationwide rollout of Unified 911, which provides Filipinos with a single, accessible emergency hotline.

He added that the system uses geolocation to connect callers with local responders who can communicate in the language used in their area.

“Lahat ng mga language na ’yan, kung saan ka naroroon, kapag na-geotag ang tawag ninyo, ang sasagot sa inyo ay ang local language na.”

Remulla said addressing language barriers can reduce delays in emergencies and help responders act more quickly and effectively.