Fire volunteers celebrate 53 years in Iloilo City

A VOLUNTEER fire brigade composed of Filipino-Chinese in Iloilo City is celebrating its more than 50 years presence this week with a simple celebration on Sunday, August 12.

The Iloilo Citizens Action Group (Icag) was re-organized on February 1979 to make it more effective and efficient fire service team after being known for 20 years as the Iloilo Filipino-Chinese Fire Prevention Association.

Icag’s Charles Ho said with its significant contribution to the city as a non-government organization (NGO), Icag is currently known as an ally of the Iloilo City Government and Ilonggo residents as the protector of lives and properties from fire and other calamities.

Ho said Icag is synonymous to fire fighting and community service in the city and a by-word as fire fighters and heroes during calamities assured by its experienced and professional fire fighting volunteers.

During the tenure of Icag President Tomas Tan, the group received a usufruct lot from the City Government through then city mayor and now Congressman Jerry P. Treñas. The lot is located at a side street of M.H. del Pilar in Molo district, popularly known as Icag Road.

Icag is a recipient of fire trucks donation from the Tan Tiak Wan-go Siokching Foundation, Tiu Cho Teg Foundation, Iloilo Fil-Cantonese Association and also from the ICAG members and other donors. The fire trucks include a ladder truck, tanker and conventional fire trucks. (Lydia C. Pendon)