With all three of its existing firetrucks in a state of disrepair, the Virac Fire Station got a much-needed boost in its firefighting capability with two new 1,000-gallon capacity firetrucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
In a ceremony at the BFP National Headquarters in Quezon City last Dec. 15, 2023, Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes, represented by Evan Vargas, and Virac Fire Marshal FSInsp. Dennis Tadoy, received the symbolic key from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos and BFP Chief F/Director Louie Puracan.
Also present were Acting Chief Directorial Staff F/CSupt. Manuel Manuel, Acting Deputy Chief for Administration F/CSupt. Jesus Fernandez, and BFP Bicol Regional Director F/CSupt Ricardo Perdigon.
Also getting one firetruck each are the towns of Bato and Baras, with Mayor Juan Rodulfo and Mayor Jose Paolo Teves III attending the turnover rite.
Mayor Laynes told the Tribune that he made the urgent request for new firetrucks to the BFP headquarters after learning from FSInsp. Tadoy that all of the Virac Fire Station’s three firetrucks are currently unserviceable for various mechanical defects although efforts are being made to repair them.
Laynes gave credit to TGP Partylist Congressman Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. for persistently following up the request with the BFP leadership, particularly during the October 2022 budget hearing for the agency’s 2023 funding allocation.
Sec. Abalos said the 54 newly procured firetrucks will be distributed to fire stations with no adequate firefighting capability and to re-fleet aging and deteriorating firetrucks.
Of the 54 firetrucks, Bicol Region received the most firetrucks with eight, followed by Caraga with seven; and Northern Mindanao with five.
Calabarzon, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon got four firetrucks each while Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN, NCR, had three each.
Two firetrucks each were released to Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and BARMM while only one went to CAR.
Purchased through the 2022 budget and 2023 Early Procurement Activity, the brand- new fire trucks are fully equipped with basic firefighting equipment, such as Fire Fighting Hoses and nozzles, Foam Generating Nozzle with Alcohol Resistant – Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and other firefighting operation tools and accessories designed using the appropriate fire service standards adaptable to Philippine conditions.
The DILG chief also assured that aside from acquiring new fire trucks, ambulances, and equipment, the firefighters’ skills and expertise will also be enhanced through capacity-building activities that introduce new firefighting techniques, and up-to-date technologies as part of the BFP modernization program.