City gov’t distributes five new firetrucks

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government officially turned over yesterday five brand new fire trucks worth P27.5 million to some barangays.

The first fire truck worth P13.5 million was given to the Cebu City Fire Department, while the other four fire trucks worth P3.5 million each was given to barangays Basak San Nicholas, Basak Pardo, Suba and Quiot.

The fire trucks were blessed by Fr. Melchor Rizon.

Dave Tumulak, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, said that the fire trucks were ordered last year.

He added that the big fire truck that was given to the Cebu City Fire Department came from the budget of the Peace and Order Program. The other four came from the funds of the Cebu City Risk Reduction disaster.

"Ato ning gipanghatag sa atong mga kabaranggayan, last year pa ni nga gipang request unya karun pa lang gyud na-deliver, nalangay pud ni siya tungud sa fire volunteer nga gi-train pa," he said.

He added that firefighters should be trained first before operating the trucks because the machines are not the usual firetrucks.

"Gi-train pa ni sila on how to operate this machine especially sa firetrucks kay dili man siya mga usual nga firetrucks nga makit-an kay kini engine drive ni siya," he added.

Tumulak said that the firetrucks are also useful during the El Niño as it is equipped with a stainless tank that can carry potable water.

 "This year 2016 daghan firetrucks nga atong gipang distribute, besides this Friday there's another batch of ambulances para sa atong mga barangay nga ipanghatag unya mga 10 ambulances ni sila to be  release on Friday sa disaster gihapon nga budget," he said

He added that it is not their fault that the timing of the distribution accompanies the upcoming elections.

"Kung imong i-hold until mahuman ang election in case dunay mahitabo, its very essential to the public dili mani mahulog nga pamulitika kay this will serve all constituents and secondly, ang pag-abot sa mga ekipo dili sad puwede nga i-standby sa bodega kay i-release gyud siya, at least pud ang mga tawo ma-proud nga naa'y ekipo nga makita." Tumulak said.

Yolandito Cagang, Basak Pardo Barangay Captain, said they are thankful for the city government for firetrucks because they have long been requesting for this.

"Years mi nanganduy ani nga naay gyud mi firetruck unya karun, ang akong ikasulti kay salamat unya may unta nga pun-an pa, kinahanglan man kayo ni namu bisa’g wala pa ang El Niño kay last year naa toy dako nga sunog unya wala dayon mabuhat dayon," he said. — (FREEMAN)