Marikina LGU receives new fire trucks from BFP, DILG


The Marikina City local government received two new units of 1,000-gallon-capacity, pumper fire trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in a ceremony at the BFP Headquarters in Quezon City on Monday, Feb. 20.

Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, Marikina City Fire Director Supt. Nestor Gorio, BFP-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza, and Acting Chief Directorial Staff Chief Supt. Manuel Manuel received the symbolic key to the city’s new units during the turnover ceremony.

Also present during the turnover were Senator Sonny Angara, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., and BFP Fire Director Louie Puracan.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro accepts the two new modern pumper fire trucks from the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Bureau of Fire Protection (DILG-BFP) during a ceremonial turnover at the BFP National Headquarters in Quezon City, Monday, February 20. (MARIKINA PIO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Marikina was the only city in Metro Manila to receive the fire trucks.

The local government said that the fire trucks will greatly help and improve the rescue and firefighting capabilities of the city.

“Napakahalaga ng public safety, at sa tulong ng mga bagong fire truck na ito, maitataas pa natin ang kapasidad ng bawat istasyon ng bumbero sa Marikina (Public safety is very important. With the help of these new fire trucks, we can increase the capacity of each fire station in Marikina),” Mayor Teodoro said in a statement.

The mayor also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the local and national government to streamline the delivery of services to their constituents.

“Dapat complementary ang gawin— the national and the local. Katulad nito, nagbigay ng fire trucks ang national, ika-capacitate natin ‘yung ating mga BFP personnel na naka-assign from the BFP in terms of training. Tapos, ‘yung mga istasyon nila, i-improve namin—‘yung setup nila (The national and local governments have to be complementary. The national government gave us fire trucks, we will capacitate our BFP personnel in terms of training. We will also improve the setup of their stations),” Teodoro said.

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro accepts the two new modern pumper fire trucks from the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Bureau of Fire Protection (DILG-BFP) during a ceremonial turnover at the BFP National Headquarters in Quezon City, Monday, February 20. (MARIKINA PIO / MANILA BULLETIN)

BFP-Marikina now has a total of seven functional fire trucks. According to Fire Superintendent Gorio, Marikina has five fire-fighting assets—three pumper fire trucks, one ladder fire truck, and one rescue fire truck.

BFP personnel who will operate the new fire trucks will undergo proper training, Gorio added.

The fire trucks were blessed after the distribution of the symbolic keys to the local governments.

Overall, the BFP distributed a total of 74 units of fire trucks to the local governments, fire stations and departments from the various regions of the country.

The distribution was held in time for Fire Prevention Month which is annually celebrated in March.

“We already did a good start with our procurement . We shall continue to enhance the capability of our firemen by giving them modern equipment. These firetrucks will help them strengthen their operational capability as they can now provide immediate response to calls for assistance,” said Secretary Abalos.

He also encouraged the collaboration and cooperation of all stakeholders in providing better infrastructure and tools for fire protection, suppression, and response to natural calamities.