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)
