THE firefighting capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod was given a new boost as the city received a brand new Isuzu fire truck worth P12.5 million from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Bacolod city fire marshal Chief Inspector Publio Ploteña received the fire truck at the distribution and turnover ceremony for 74 fire trucks to respective local government units (LGUs) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City Tuesday, February 11.

The turnover ceremony was led by President Rodrigo Duterte. He was assisted by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) OIC-Chief Superintendent Jose Embang Jr.

Also gracing the ceremonies were Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa.

Leonardia, the national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), said, “We thank President Duterte and Secretary Año for putting Bacolod among the top priority to receive the much-needed equipment which will help the firefighting capabilities of our BFP, and boost the development and progress of the city.”

Bacolod was one of the 74 recipients out of the 1,400 LGUs in the country. Ploteña said Bacolod now has 11 fire trucks.

Ploteña added that the water tender firetruck has a water capacity of 2,400 gallons (10,000 liters), and will yield an increase in water capacity in times of fire suppression which means lesser damage to properties. (PR)