4 cities in Cebu get new firetrucks

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is scheduled to give today four brand new firetrucks to Cebu City and three other cities in Cebu.

Aside from the Cebu City Fire Station, the cities of Lapulapu, Mandaue and Talisay will be also given one Rosenbauer TLF 4000-model fire truck each.

Mayor Michael Rama has been invited by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Acting Director Carlito Romero to be present during the turnover of the new firefighting equipment at Camp Crame tomorrow.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said the arrival of a new firetruck for Cebu City is very timely because of the report of Cebu City Fire Marshall William Tacaldo that some of the firetrucks in the city are unserviceable.

Tacaldo even asked the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) to help him facilitate the approval of his request for the purchase of additional firefighting equipment for his station.

One of Tacaldo’s requests is for the city to purchase a fire truck that is capable to combat fires in high-rise buildings.

Records showed that there are still several municipalities in Cebu that do not have firetrucks. The national government cannot afford to purchase brand new fire trucks for all towns because a fire truck cost about P20 million.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Fire Marshal Ronaldo Orbita leave for Manila today to receive the firetruck.

Aside from cities in Cebu, Bayawan city in Negros Oriental will also receive one together with another city in Panay island.

Orbita said that the arrival of the one unit of firetruck in Mandaue is good timing as the city will also celebrate the Fire Prevention Month this coming March .

Orbita earlier said that the city is in dire need of new fire trucks as most of its firetrucks are mostly dilapidated.

Cortes made a follow-up letter asking for one unit of firetruck after DILG Secretary Mar Roxas was installed into office. A letter asking for such was already sent before the death of former DILG secretary Robredo.

It was also learned that Cortes is more keen on buying additional firetrucks for the city rather than repairing the dilapidated ones. —/JPM (FREEMAN)