BFP seeks LGUs' help to improve its services

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fire Protection-7 is eyeing an overall improvement in its equipment and services this year in compliance with the Republic Act 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.

In his New Year’s Call speech, BFP-7 director Aloveel Ferrer challenged his men to join his efforts to have a united goal for the improvement of the entire bureau.

Ferrer said this year should be the right time for the much awaited change that the bureau waited for so long. “The new year of 2011 offers us with a lot of opportunities and reasons to be joyous.”

“Help me preserve the Bureau along with its power and authority further zealously guard it from any erosion of any kind…only good performance, solid achievement and plain service to the public would get us back to good,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ferrer said that after 20 years of existence in the region, the BFP-7 still has no building of its own.

“Only two are BFP-owned, all the rest are either rented or provided by the local government unit just like in Region-7,” he continued.

Ferrer asked his men to help him lobby for their own building to be built possibly within this year to ensure the improvement of their services.

“In all our undertaking to develop respect, entails rising above the ordinary and pride of one’s work and confidence in the best of your ability,” he told his men.

However, he cautioned his men to be considerate in making goals, for there is always a possibility for failure and dismay.

“In the process you might just be wasting limited resources, time and manpower, do not do things at the same time, and be reasonable about your expectations,” said Ferrer.

He added that one of their primary concerns will be on fire fighting skills enhancement for rescue personnel, training for investigators, driving skills, technology literacy and other necessary improvements for the bureau.

“If we will not keep pace with technology and scientific development in fire operation, we shall be left behind,” he said, adding at present, they are suffering from lack of equipment for responding in fire emergencies. BFP-7 records show that around 50 percent of the municipalities in the region still do not have their own fire stations.

Most of their firetrucks are already in existence since 1980 which they just painstakingly maintained for the past years because of the absence of new ones.

But through the RA 9514, the bureau can now purchase new equipment for their operations, further training of their men and new recruits, and for construction of fire offices in the region.

Yesterday marked the 20th year of the BFP-7.

To further reach its goals, the BFP is appealing for help from the LGUs in the region to support their respective fire stations and offices to further improve their services during emergencies.

Officials from different LGUs gathered yesterday for the annual New Year’s Call of the BFP-7 at Cebu Business hotel where they discussed their plans for 2011.   (FREEMAN NEWS)