MANILA – Local government units (LGUs) nationwide will have new firetrucks after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) turned over 56 units to the Bureau of Fire (BFP).

In a news release on Sunday, the DILG said the fire trucks will be distributed to Ilocos Region, six units; Cagayan Valley, three; Central Luzon, five; Calabarzon, seven; Mimaropa, four; Bicol, three; Western Visayas, three; Central Visayas, four; Eastern Visayas, two; Zamboanga Peninsula, four; Davao Region four; Soccsksargen, five; Cordillera Administrative Region, two; and Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, National Capital Region, and Caraga, one each.

Each truck has a complete set of firefighter’s personal protective equipment and breathing apparatus, hoses and nozzles, foam generating nozzle with alcohol-resistant – aqueous film forming foam, and other tools and accessories using the appropriate fire service standards adaptable to the country’s conditions.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the fire trucks are among the 94 units of 1000-gallon capacity fire trucks under the 2022 BFP procurement plan.

Sixty-three more units and other modern equipment are expected to be procured within the year.

“Ang pamamahagi ng mga makabago at state-of-the-art fire trucks na ito ay isang testamento na pangunahing prayoridad ng ating Pangulong (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) at ng DILG ang kaligtasan ng ating mga pamayanan at ng mga mamamayan (The distribution of these modern and state-of-the-art fire trucks is a testament that President Marcos and the DILG’s top priority is the safety of our communities and citizens),” Abalos said during the turnover ceremony at the BFP headquarters in Quezon City on Friday. 

He likewise assured of the continued enhancement of firefighters’ skills to realize BFP’s vision to be fully capable of ensuring a fire-safe nation.

“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. 

Meanwhile, Abalos visited Negros Oriental on Saturday where he stressed to local government executives, Philippine National Police (PNP) officials and representatives of some sectors that “economic development is always intertwined with peace and order.”

He said the military, police and the public must work together for a good peace and order situation and for the economy of the province to take off.

Abalos said after the murder of Gov. Roel Degamo on March 4, Negros Oriental’s peace and order situation is improving due to the efforts of law enforcement authorities.

He noted that the number of crime incidents in the province continues to decrease, according to the PNP data.

“Marami nang nangyari. Ang importante (A lot of things have happened. What’s important is), we should look forward and take control of the situation. We owe it to our province and the people of Negros,” he said in a separate statement on Sunday.

“Hangad ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. na tayo ay magtulungan para makamtan ang hustisya at umunlad ang ekonomiya. Ang Importante ay mabuhay ang probinsya, ang negosyo pumasok, ang mga turista ay pumunta. Palakasin pa natin, pagtulungan pa natin (President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. wants that we work together to achieve justice and develop the economy. The important thing is that the province survives, business enters, tourists come. Let’s make it stronger, let’s work together),” he stressed.

The DILG chief also assured the public that justice will be served for the killing of Degamo and other crime victims. (PNA)