Monday, April 21, 2008 Fire chief: P10 million not enough
THE P10 million proposed for disbursement at the City Council for the purchase of additional firefighting equipment for Baguio City' Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is insufficient to cover the cost of the equipment.
One mini firetruck costs around P4 to P6 million, said Fire Marshall Jovencio Marquez, who quickly added they are thankful for the initiative from the City Government.
The BFP is also waiting for the donation of a firetruck from a Korean national. Marquez said the donor will pay for the freight from Korea to the Philippines but it would be the BFP that would pay for transport and customs duties.
The proposal was suggested by Baguio Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas and is pending before the Council.
The three big fires and the recent one that hit the sari-sari section of the market prompted city officials to pursue the purchase of equipment that would facilitate the faster dousing of fire, which results in saving more life and property.
"Our experiences in fighting fires in Baguio, both in residential and commercial areas, have seen the inadequacy or inappropriateness of firefighting trucks and equipment," Fariñas said in his proposal.
The vice mayor said ladders currently used by the BFP could only reach a certain height and are not suitable for high-rise buildings. Also, narrow alleys could hardly be penetrated by BFP trucks.
Firetrucks with booms and ladders, hoses and extenders, and other apparatus for high-rise buildings and narrow streets should be bought. (RO)
