
The Chinese government has donated six fire trucks to the Bureau Fire Protection (BFP) which will be used for the rehabilitation of Marawi City.
In a statement, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the donation was facilitated through Task Force Bangon Marawi, an agency dedicated to the full rehabilitation of the Islamic City which was severely destroyed during the 2017 Marawi Siege.
The donation will be received on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. commended the Chinese government for its generosity, noting that the fire trucks would help hasten the city’s ongoing recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
BFP Director Louie Puracan said they will conduct training and capacity building programs to ensure that Marawi City’s firefighting personnel are fully equipped to utilize the newly acquired fire trucks and equipment.
The Marawi Siege caused widespread destruction to vital infrastructures, facilities, and public and private buildings including the Marawi City Fire Station in Barangay Biaba-Damag.
The city fire station was razed to the ground and its four fire trucks were destroyed during the intense conflict that lasted for about five months.
The DILG noted that the lack of firefighting capability in the area severely handicapped authorities where local firefighters failed to attend and respond to at least 18 fire incidents, resulting in millions of pesos worth of damages to structures and properties.