MANILA, Philippines — To make responses to disasters and calamities faster, the Quezon City government on Monday fielded its new emergency vehicles to barangay (village) authorities who can reach those in need quicker.
The 67 units of spanking new Foton Tornado 2 vehicles were distributed to an initial batch of barangays from Districts I and II of Quezon City Monday morning at City Hall.
According to city administrator, Dr. Victor Endriga, the city government spent P142,149,000 in buying a total of 147 units, which cost P967,000 each including the rescue equipment installed in each vehicle.
City Mayor Herbert Bautista said each of the 142 barangays would receive an emergency response vehicle, equipped with a first aid kit, chainsaw, rain boots with steel toe, reflectorized raincoat with hood, life vests, safety helmets with light, heavy duty flashlight and sirens and blinkers.
The vehicles are part of the goals under the city government’s Barangay Emergency Response Team.
The first batch of barangays which received their own Foton Tornado 2 vehicles were: Vasra, Bagong Pag-Asa, Sto. Cristo, Project 6, Ramon Magsaysay, Alicia, Bahay Toro, Katipunan, San Antonio; Veterans Village, Bungad, Phil-Am, West Triangle, Sta. Cruz, Nayong Kanluran, Paltok, Paraiso, Mariblo, Damayan, Del Monte, Masambong, Talayan, Sto. Domingo, Siena, St. Peter, San Jose; Manresa, Damar, Pag-Ibig sa Nayon, Balingasa, Sta. Teresita, San Isidro Labrador, Paang Bundok, Salvacion, N.S. Amoranto, Maharlika, and Lourdes of District I;
Barangays Holy Spirit, Batasan Hills, Commonwealth, Bagong Silangan, Payatas, Fairview, Pasong Putik Proper, Greater Lagro; North Fairview, Kaligayahan, Sta. Lucia, San Agustin, Novaliches Proper; Sta. Monica, Nagkaisang Nayon, Capri, San Bartolome, Bagbag, Sauyo, Gulod, Talipapa, Baesa, Balon Bato, Unang Sigaw, Apolonio Samson, Sangandaan, Tandang Sora, Pasong Tamo, Culiat and New Era of District II.
The BERT program aims to strengthen its disaster response capability at the barangay level, which is closest to communities, to minimize loss of lives and damage to property in disasters.
“Preparedness is the key in the prevention of any-life threatening situation,” Bautista said.
The official added that with changing patterns in the weather brought about by climate change, authorities must be alert and ready through better equipment and rescuers’ constant training.
The remaining 80 emergency response vehicles will be distributed to the other barangays of Districts III and IV next Monday, with five vehicles to be used as coordinating vehicles in each district.