FIVE towns in Maguindanao del Norte and one in Maguindanao del Sur are set to receive P41.8 million worth of brand-new firetrucks from the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MILG-Barmm) to enhance local firefighting capabilities and public safety.
Barmm Chief Minister and concurrent MILG Minister Abdulraof Macacua turned over new fire trucks to the Bureau of Fire Protection–Barmm in a ceremony Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Barmm Government Center in Cotabato City.
Macacua said each fire truck, worth P6.97 million, has a 500-gallon capacity and was funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act of Barmm.
The BFP-Barmm will, in turn, distribute the vehicles to the municipalities of Parang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Kudarat, Northern Kabuntalan, and Datu Blah Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte, and Pagalungan in Maguindanao del Sur.
Macacua underscored the MILG’s commitment to “work as one” with the BFP-Barmm and local government units in safeguarding Bangsamoro communities.
“Let us continue working together with unity, readiness, and compassion so that in moments of danger our communities can count on us without hesitation—because in protecting our people there’s no room for hesitation, only action, unity, and service,” Macacua said.
During the turnover ceremony, Macacua and the mayors of the beneficiary towns signed a memorandum of agreement to ensure the proper use and maintenance of the fire trucks. They also committed to provide the necessary logistics for their upkeep.
BFP-Barmm Acting Regional Director Kadil Acalul expressed gratitude to the Barmm Government for the initiative.
“More fire trucks means being more prepared,” Acalul added. (SunStar Zamboanga)