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Sunday, March 07, 2004
BFP 11 head asks LGUs chiefs to donate lots for fire stations
By Aurea A. Gerundio
THE chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 11 appealed to chiefs of local government units to donate to BFP the lands where the fire station buildings are erected.
Sr. Supt. Ruben Beariz Jr. said on Saturday their requested budget for building repairs from the Department of Budget Management (DBM) has not been released yet because the BFP does own the lots.
"Marami nang dapat i-renovate na buildings pero walang enough budget," Beariz said.
BFP 11 records showed there are a total of 37 fire stations in Southern Mindanao--10 in Davao City, nine in Davao del Sur, six in Davao del Norte, five in Davao Oriental, and seven in Compostela Valley province.
Beariz could tell how many BFP buildings in other municipalities were built on public-owned lots. But, he said that majority was not awarded with lots yet.
Davao City fire marshal Supt. Aladin Guimola said 10 fire stations here are still occupying public lots.
Meanwhile, Councilor Peter Laviña said he would look into the request of the BFP management.
Lack of firefighters
BFP 11 statistics reveal that there are only 741 BFP personnel for the region's total population of 3,641,614.
There should ideally be one firefighter for every 2,000 population, said Chief Insp. Manuel Moratin Jr., of the BFP's Public Information Services.
"Ngayon nagiging 1 for almost 5,000 population na. With the region's total population, dapat merong 1,821 fire-fighting men," he added.
Moratin said BFP regularly monitors buildings to prevent fire accidents.
In 2003 a total of 13,889 buildings were inspected, 2,682 establishments were corrected and 6,607 building plans were reviewed, said Moratin.
He said the total damage in 2003 is greater than in the previous year, with the damage pegged at P168.1 million in 2002, which jumped to P202.7 million the next year.
He encouraged public cooperation in the fight for fire prevention.
(March 7, 2004 issue)
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