Govt to turn over 17 new firetrucks to 'Yolanda' areas

MANILA, Philippines - The government will distribute tomorrow, March 3, 17 new firetrucks and three ambulances to several local government units (LGUs) affected by supertyphoon Yolanda in Visayas, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said on Monday. 

 

Roxas said that the emergency vehicles, donated by the Japanese government, will be distributed in line with the observance of the Fire Prevention Month.

 

"We are thankful to our benefactors and we believe that our LGUs will now be more equipped in responding to emergency situations," Roxas said.

 

The Japanese government, through the efforts of Senate President Franklin Drilon, selected recipients of emergency vehicles from areas heavily affected by Yolanda in 2013. 

 

The following mayors are expected to attend the turnover ceremony: Christopher Sheen Gonzales of Guian, Edgar Boco of Hernani, and Maria Fe Abunda of Borongan City; Igmedio Ponferrada of Basey;  Pelagio Ticson Jr. of Tanauan, Remedios Petilla of Palo, Elmer Codilla of Kananga, Charita Chan of Babatngon, Edward Codilla of Ormoc City and Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City; Raymund Locsin of President Roxas; Rene Cordedo of Estancia and Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City; Oscar Montilla Jr. of Sipalay and Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an; Gemma Adobo of Cabucgayan; and Ian Christopher Escario of Bantayan.

 

Roxas said that last year, his department has allocated more than P2.5 billion for 244 units of 1,000-gallon capacity firetrucks and for 225 500-gallon capacity fire trucks.

 

"We are doing this para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga Pilipino, maski sunog, bagyo at iba pang sakuna. Dapat ligtas ang lahat sa kahit ano'ng pagbabanta," Roxas said.

 

Roxas has also previously ordered to conduct an assessment on every region to determine the population, land area, and number of recorded fire incidents in the area, which serve as the basis for the distribution of firetrucks.

 

"The ideal ratio is one fire truck for every 28,000 Filipinos at walang tigil tayo sa paghahanap ng paraan para maabot iyon," Roxas said.

 

To date, the procurement of 469 firetrucks is already at its post-qualification stage.