MANILA -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is set to boost its firefighting capabilities with the acquisition of 266 new fire trucks.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the new fire trucks, which are set to be distributed to key cities and municipalities this year and next year, will further beef up the fire prevention and suppression efforts of the BFP, especially during March with the onset of the dry season.
Of the 266 fire trucks, 56 units with 1,000-gallon capacity, which were part of last year’s procurement program, will be delivered anytime soon for distribution to fire stations without fire trucks and to re-fleet 20-year-old units.
“Fire incidents usually peak during summer and we want our firefighters to be ready to be of assistance to the public during conflagrations and other emergencies,” Año said in a statement.
“We are hopeful that with the acquisition of new fire trucks, the BFP will be more than equipped to rush to the location of the blaze to put out the fire and rescue possible victims,” he added.
For this year’s procurement, the DILG chief noted that the acquisition of another 56 units worth around PHP700-million, 1,260 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus, and three units of rescue trucks have already passed the early procurement stage and a Notice of Award will soon be issued to the winning bidder.
On the other hand, the procurement of 126 units of 1,000-gallon fire trucks is now in the hands of the Philippine International Trading Corporation which is conducting post-qualification of the lowest calculated bidder.
“We expect that the award of this project will be made this year,” the DILG Secretary said.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of 28 other units of fire trucks for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which is being handled by the DBM Procurement Service, is still ongoing.
“Ensuring public safety is one of the primary tasks of the government. This is why it fully supports the BFP’s modernization program by setting aside funds for the purchase of new fire trucks and equipment every year,” said Año.
The ideal fire truck to population ratio is 1 for every 28,000 residents.
Also for delivery this year are three units of collapsed structure and rescue trucks worth PHP64.5 million which will be given to BFP National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
Five aerial ladders and 20 units of water tenders (2,500-gallon capacity fire truck) with a combined cost of around PHP576-million are also up for delivery to be used by highly urbanized cities.
A total of 81 BFP district and provincial offices will also receive self-contained breathing apparatus refilling systems. (PNA)
