| President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday led the distribution of 135 newly procured fire trucks and 144 new police patrol jeeps as part of the administration’s continuing commitment to modernize and enhance the capability of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento accompanied the President during a simple turnover ceremony at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
In his speech, the Chief Executive reported that from July 2010 to December 2015, the government procured 561 fire trucks, worth P4.25 billion.
“Dahil dito, lahat ng lungsod sa buong Pilipinas, mayroon nang di bababa sa isang fire truck; sa 1,489 namang munisipalidad sa bansa, pagkatapos nating maihandog ang mga bagong sasakyang ito, 1,194 na ang magkakaroon ng bagong fire truck,” he said.
“Ngayong taon, layon pa nating makakuha ng dagdag na 369 na mga fire trucks. 293 dito, para punuan ang kakulangan sa mga munisipalidad; 76 naman ang para sa mga lungsod at pangunahing munisipalidad ng bawat probinsya, kung saan maipagkakaloob natin ay ang Rosenbauer brand na fire trucks, o ang itinuturing na Mercedes Benz ng mga fire trucks,” he added.
The first and second batches of these fire engines were already distributed last year, while the third batch of 155 units was turned over last February 19.
According to the BFP, this is the first and the biggest fire truck procurement in its history, with a total of 469 units, 244 of which have a capacity of 1,000 gallons, and 225 with a capacity of 500 gallons.
As the Fire Prevention month culminates, the BFP has recorded at least 1,909 fire incidents nationwide, with damages for the month of March estimated at P169.3 million. The bureau said the figure is a significant drop from last year’s 2,869 fire incidents, with damages estimated at P419.2 million.
Meanwhile, President Aquino noted that 1,490 patrol jeeps were delivered from May 2015 to last March.
“Saklaw na nito ang lahat ng municipal police stations sa buong bansa, kabilang pa ang dating munisipalidad na General Trias, na ngayon ay lungsod na. Oras naman na maihatid na natin ang dagdag pang 144 patrol jeeps na nai-turnover natin ngayong umaga sa lahat ng mga lungsod sa buong bansa, sa unang pagkakataon, lahat na ng police stations sa bawat lungsod at munisipalidad sa buong bansa, magkakaroon na ng di bababa sa isang patrol jeep,” he said.
“Sa Daang Matuwid, pinaunlad din natin ang ‘Shoot, Scoot, and Communicate’ para sa ating kapulisan. Nitong 2013, naipagkaloob na natin ang 74,879 units ng Glock 17 9mm pistol sa ating PNP. Bukod sa mga patrol jeep, nariyan din ang inyong dagdag na kagamitan tulad ng 247 na 4×4 personnel carrier at 69 light transport vehicles, 1,095 motorcycles, at 12,949 handheld radios,” he added.
The President mentioned the improvement in the system for the strategic fight against crimes.
“Meron na nga kayong modernong Integrated Ballistics Identification System, pati na ang Automated Fingerprint Identification System. Dito naman sa NCR (National Capital Region), ipinapatupad ninyo ang Closed-Circuit Television Project, para bantayan ang matatawag na crime-prone areas,” he said.
President Aquino emphasized that with the new fire engines and patrol jeeps, firefighters and policemen are expected to improve their services to the public.
“Pakiusap natin sa ating kapulisan at Bureau of Fire Protection, nakita naman po ninyo ang kalinga ng Estado, ng sambayanan, ipakita naman natin sa serbisyo, para lalo pang maibigay ang mga dagdag pa ninyong pangangailangan,” he said. PND (sm) |
| Malacañang has welcomed the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing the public’s strong confidence in the performance of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said public confidence in President Aquino remains strong even as the Chief Executive nears the end of his term.
“Among the top national government officials included in the survey, only the President obtained a majority approval rating: 52 percent for performance, up from 49 percent last January. In terms of location, this is supported by majority approvals in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The President’s trust rating likewise rose to 49 percent, up from 39 percent last February—with distrust falling from 24 percent to 21 percent,” Secretary Lacierda said in a statement issued on Monday.
The Pulse Asia research team interviewed 1,800 people from March 12 to 18 for the survey.
Lacierda said President Aquino’s high rating is a reflection of the people’s approval of the Daang Matuwid, an advocacy anchored on good governance.
“Throughout his term, President Aquino has obtained historically high approval ratings. On a larger scale, these positive ratings reflect the people’s approval of Daang Matuwid—and the reforms and programs initiated under it. Just this morning, the President led the ceremonial turnover of 135 fire trucks and 144 patrol jeeps—further testaments to the extent of our country’s transformation,” he said.
“Under the consecutive leadership of Secretary Jesse Robredo, Secretary Mar Roxas, and now Secretary Mel Sarmiento, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has continued to make appropriate investments for the benefit of our citizens. As a result, all our cities now have at least one fire truck, and—upon the delivery of today’s 144 jeeps—police stations in every city and municipality will now be equipped with at least one patrol jeep,” he added.
The Palace official expressed optimism that the public would vote wisely in the May elections to ensure the continuity of the Aquino administration’s reforms and programs.
“Today’s turnover ceremony—as well as the President’s positive approval ratings—speaks volumes about our recent achievements. More than that, these developments also remind us of what is at stake in the coming elections. The President has already placed his trust in a successor who will definitely continue and accelerate Daang Matuwid. In exercising their duty as citizens, it is our hope that voters will discern well among the candidates, bear in mind the long view, and keep to the Straight Path,” said Lacierda.
For his part, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the surge in President Aquino’s ratings signifies that the gains from the government’s programs on good governance and transparency and inclusive economic growth have been spread equitably among all socio-demographic classes.
“We are extremely grateful for the show of support and confidence of our people as we vow to double our efforts in improving the quality of life of our Bosses in our remaining months in office. As we prepare for a peaceful and orderly transition of power in the coming national elections in May, we are confident that our people shall choose the candidates who shall best continue the legacy of social transformation of the Aquino administration,” Secretary Coloma said. PND (jm) |
| President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) on Luen Thai Philippines Chairman Willie Tan at the Music Room of Malacañang Palace.Tan received the award for “connecting the Philippines to global manufacturing and expanding the role of the garments and apparel industry through the clothing and accessories company Luen Thai Philippines and for steering the growth of Luen Thai and providing jobs to thousands in just two decades, from barely a thousand employees in a small factory in Tarlac, to around 18,000 Filipinos employed in Clark, Tarlac, Cebu, Bataan, and San Fernando”.
Tan was also honored for providing employment to Filipino seafarers through the Luen Thai fishing venture business and for “his commitment to service, in partnership with the Filipino people through community development, livelihood creation, and disaster relief in the aftermath of Super Typhoons Ketsana (Ondoy) and Parma (Pepeng)”.
The entrepreneur was also cited for pump-priming the Philippine tourism industry by establishing a travel and leisure business in 2014, chartering direct flights from China to the Philippines, thus building economic and cultural bridges between the two nations and for championing the Philippine manufacturing and exports industries by leading delegations for trade policy and investment mission.
He was likewise recognized for participating in the Philippine government’s first major investment roadshow in Beijing and Shanghai, China in 2011, and serving as one of the “most ardent ambassadors of the Philippines to the private sector, thus helping build trust and confidence in the Philippines and our people”.
The Order of Lakandula, which was established in 2003, is an Order of political and civic merit awarded in memory of Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage and resolve in the service of one’s people.
The award is given by the President of the Philippines to Filipino or foreign citizens who have demonstrated by their lives and deeds a dedication to the welfare of the society, or whose lives are worthy of emulation by the Filipino people. PND (jm) |
