Rama gives P20 million for firefighting equipment

CEBU, Philippines – Augmenting the city's firefighting capabilities is a priority of the city government, thus, the insertion of a P20-million budget in the 5th supplemental budget.

Mayor Michael Rama said the P20 million will be used to purchase fire trucks and other firefighting equipment, admitting that the city government has the obligation to help the Bureau of Fire Protection. 

Rama admitted the city needs additional fire trucks, as several of the existing trucks are already dilapidated.

"Wala na gani ko makakita adtong mga fire trucks sa una nga dunay mora'g machine gun nga pump nga direkta gikan sa truck nga dili na mag-agi og hose. Kusug kaayo to nga mosirit og tubig," Rama said.

He said he received information from a member of the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade that there are used fire trucks that can be bought from other countries at a cheaper price. These trucks reportedly only need minor repair.

Former city councilor Gerardo Carillo, currently Rama's consultant on disaster preparedness, said he wants the city to prioritize the purchase of fire fighting equipment because some of the hoses that are being used by the city fire department are already old.

The planned purchase of the firefighting equipment has put on hold Rama's plan of buying a helicopter that would be used as "eye in the sky" during calamities, but he said the plan stays.

For now, Rama said the city might just have to tap on the resources of the Philippine Air Force.

The Cebu Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade also plans to seek help with the Air Force to improve its fire fighting operations.

Rama yesterday instructed City Hall consultant Rene Mercado to coordinate with Alvin Santillana, executive officer of the City Disaster Coordinating Council, to schedule a meeting with PAF officials. (FREEMAN)