MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief on Wednesday said at least 600 municipalities all over the country have no fire trucks.
In an interview, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said the number does not include cities that also lack fire trucks despite having bigger populations.
“If you have 600 towns without fire trucks, and each fire truck costs about P4 million-P5 million, then you need P3 billion to buy a fire truck for each town. This includes other firefighting equipment and uniforms for firefighters,” he told radio dzMM.
Robredo said he has submitted several proposals to Malacañang to address the lack of firefighting equipment and fire trucks all over the country.
The proposals include tapping the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for additional government assistance and using the calamity funds of local government units to purchase fire trucks and firefighting equipment.
The lack of fire trucks came to light after a deadly blaze killed 16 people in a Tuguegarao City pension house last Sunday. Most of the victims were nursing graduates about to take the nursing licensure exams.
Sharing of equipment
ABS-CBN News found out that 69 personnel of the Tuguegarao fire fighting office have to share 5 boots, 5 trousers, 5 firecoats, one flashlight, and a broken axe when responding to emergencies.
Tuguegarao fire chief Jesus Fernandez admitted that they lack equipment but denied that his men were drunk when they responded to the fire, as witnesses claimed.
He added that his men did not receive a fire alarm despite the blaze being only half a kilometer away. A passing motorist only informed them about the fire, he said.
Robredo has ordered the relief of 8 Tuguegarao fire inspectors for failing to inspect the Bed and Breakfast Pension House.
He said he will also issue a memorandum that will make provincial fire marshalls accountable for the regular quarterly fire inspections of business establishments. “Sometimes, you cannot stop a fire from happening but you can stop the loss of life,” he said. –abs-cbnNEWS.com
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
