Pasig City acquires new fireboat

The Pasig City government has acquired another fireboat, which will patrol on a 24-hour basis the Pasig River to safeguard the communities and factories along the river banks against fire.

The boat will also be used during search and rescue operations.

The 115-horsepower Mercury engine-powered boat costing P2 million, will join the four other fireboats owned by the city government.

Mayor Vicente Eusebio handed the keys of the brand-new fireboat to Bagong Ilog Barangay Chairman Ferdinand Asis during simple inauguration rites under the Sta. Rosa-de Lime bridge the other day.

Eusebio said they decided to acquire the fireboat not only to improve their disaster-response capabilities but also to demonstrate to businessmen that his administration is doing everything to safeguard their investments and private property.

"Since most of the large factories in Pasig are located along riverbanks, fireboats are faster and more efficient alternatives to fire- trucks in times of calamities and disasters," said Eusebio.

"If businessmen see that their investments are safeguarded, maybe they will choose to invest in Pasig," he added.

The new fireboat will be manned by a five-man team trained and led by an officer from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The city’s four other fireboats are stationed in Barangays Bambang, Rosario, Maybunga and Bagong Ilog ready to respond to emergencies not only in Pasig but also in other coastal areas of Metro Manila.

Pasig’s fireboat brigade figured prominently during the big fire that hit the Baseco squatter compound last year which merited special commendation from Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. – Non Alquitran