BFP 10 inks agreement with local govts to boost fire safety

By LOUI MALIZA,
Stringer

Northern Mindanao mayors and the Bureau of Fire Protection have forged an agreement to boost fire safety in their localities, announced BFP 10 chief Domingo V. Tambalo.

Tambalo said this is in line with the government’s effort to establish fire stations in every town and city in the region.

He said the mayors have committed to scout and donate lands to the bureau for the construction of fire stations through the memorandum of agreement between the local government units and BFP 10.

“After constructing the fire stations, next would be the purchase of fire trucks and hiring of personnel,” Tambalo told reporters on Thursday.

“Marami tayong budget. But what we want is for the LGUs to counterpart through donating land,” he said.

Tambalo said the bureau has P1 billion allocation every year, enough to fund the construction of fire stations, purchase of fire trucks and hiring of personnel.

“Ito yong mga priority natin, mga bayan and city sub-stations. These will be the programs under my administration (as Regional Director),” he said.

He said El Salvador City intends to donate a 2.6-hectare property, Iligan City has about P11 million in counterpart funds, while Malaybalay City has alloted P5 million.

“Yong iba (towns and cities) follow-up na lang ang kulang,” he said.

Tambalo said they are currently working with the construction of the Mindanao Fire Training Institute in partnership with the Mindanao University of Science and Technology to address the backlogs in the number of personnel.

He said the training center would be established in a 10-hectare property in Alubijid town, Misamis Oriental.

“Governor (Yevgeny Vincente) Emano has committed to construct a road leading to the training center,” Tambalo added.