A year after KC’s death, RP firefighters still without new equipment

One year after the youngest daughter of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was trapped to death in a fire that destroyed their Makati City mansion, the country’s firefighting units are still in need of modern equipment.

Had firemen been equipped with modern gear, "KC" or Kristina Casimira could have survived the three-hour blaze that gutted their home at Dasmariñas Village early on the morning of Dec. 16, 2004.

Members of the Makati Fire Department (MFD) said they did not have gas masks, grill cutters, floodlights, flashlights, or even a single asbestos suit.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) director Fire Chief Superintendent Rogelio Asignado deplored the lack of funds that continues to hinder their efforts.

"The lack of funds is the main problem. Although we want to purchase all the necessary equipment, we don’t have the money to pay for them," Asignado told The STAR.

Since the BFP does not have the equipment to contain fires, Asignado said they are investing more on informing the public about fire prevention measures.

"We tap the youth to help us in preventing fire incidents. The Department of Education has added fire safety in curriculum of elementary and high school students. Meralco has been providing the visuals, which we reproduce and distribute in the barangays," Asignado added.

Asignado said the BFP initially demanded P6 billion budget for the coming year but Congress pared this down to P4.1 billion.

Asignado said they were hoping De Venecia would help them out, noting the Speaker vowed to help fire departments secure a sufficient budget for their operations.

"He (De Venecia) promised to give personal attention to our budget," Asignado said. "Although he was still grieving, he knew how to help us," he said.

Asignado claimed De Venecia had promised to shell out P15 million to help the BFP purchase asbestos suits for firemen last year.

De Venecia reiterated his pledge to BFP when he was the guest of honor and speaker on Fire Service Recognition Day last Dec. 14.

The recognition day started 32 years ago after three firemen died while controlling a blaze that struck the Rockwell power plant in Makati City for almost 24 hours on Dec. 14, 1973.

"The blaze in Rockwell 32 years ago was contained when the Americans from Subic brought by helicopter film foam. The incident made the government (declare through) Presidential Decree 1312 a Fire Service Recognition Day," BFP spokesman Fire Senior Inspector Renato Marcial said.

Marcial reiterated the need to upgrade their firefighting equipment.

Some firemen even claimed they are forced to borrow boots and proper equipment from their off-duty colleagues.