MANILA, Philippines — Two lawmakers are asking the House Committee on Public Order and Safety to probe the lack of fire stations and the use of old fire trucks in various towns in the country.
Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao Representative Maximo Rodriguez have filed House Resolution 2250 which urges the committee to look into the lack of fire stations in roughly 645 towns as well as the continued use of old and dilapidated fire trucks in 666 more.
The resolution calls on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to look into the said issue and to activate “central fire stations” in the country in order to meet the needs of localities or municipalities for fire stations and equipment.
Citing information from the DILG, the lawmakers explained that the central fire station will act as the city or municipal fire station–accessible to areas without fire stations and will coordinate with officials of local government units with high incidences of fire.
The said fire stations will also be responsible for quick responses for fire prevention, investigation and provision of emergency and rescue services in their areas of responsbility.
The lawmakers asked the DILG to fast track its plans of acquiring new fire trucks and other necessary supplies and immediately distribute them to different cities and municipalities.
Fire incidents could be prevented if there were fire stations for municipalities and firefighters had proper equipment, Rodriguez surmised, adding that the large number of fire incidents recorded by the Bureau of Fire Protection could be attributed to the lack of firefighters’ facilities and equipment
“Our fire fighters also have to make do with old and unreliable safety equipment which put their lives at an even greater risk and also put the lives of the victims in greater danger,” the Cagayan de Oro Representative explained.