“Siyam na local government units (LGUs) in Bicol ang walang firetrucks, at ang siyam na ito ay walang fire stations. Ang target namin bago matapos ang taon na ito, matayuan sila ng fire stations,” Perdigon said.
(Nine local government units (LGUs) in Bicol do not have firetrucks and fire stations. However, the BFP aims to build fire stations in these LGUs before the end of this year.)
Out of the nine LGUs, four already have fire stations under construction, while the remaining five still need sites for the construction of their stations.
Perdigon assured that the BFP can build these stations within the year, provided that the LGUs can provide the necessary land for construction.
“Kaya namin ngayong taon na matayuan sila basta yung LGUs ay magbigay ng lupa na pagtatayuan,” he
added.
(We can build them this year provided the LGUs donate the land.)
Perdigon said the LGUs that lack fire stations and fire trucks are in Masbate, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.
In the event of a fire, neighboring LGUs respond to these areas, Perdigon said.
Adette (name changed) shared her experience of a fire incident in her neighbor's retail store in Masbate that nearly leveled her ancestral house during the dry season of 2022.
"It is frightening when your house catches fire. But it's more terrifying when your house catches fire and there's no fire station near you," she said.
Once the new fire stations and modern fire trucks are in place, firefighters will be able to respond to fires quicker than the standard seven minutes per kilometer, Perdigon said. (PIA 5)
