MORE FIRETRUCKS FOR QC

Quezon City will get more firefighting equipment, including firetrucks, from the Department of Interior and Local Government starting next year.

DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno gave this assurance today to Mayor Herbert Bautista and QC firemen during the city’s commemoration of the 115th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Usec Puno was guest of honor during the commemorative ceremonies near the Rizal monument at QC Hall grounds. After the Rizal Day program, Puno also spoke before QC firemen during the launching of the city’s three-day yearend drive to seek public cooperation in preventing New Year’s Eve accidents and fire.

Puno said the DILG intends to buy more firetrucks and other firefighting equipment next year under a program that focuses more on fire prevention than on fire suppression.

He said that the firetrucks will be much cheaper than those acquired before 2010.

He also announced that the DILG wants to build a hospital for fire personnel and police officers, and is finalizing plans for an arrangement with the QC government to boost the department’s fire prevention efforts and provide more firefighting equipment to the city.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bautista has instructed QC fire officials and the city planning and development office to determine which barangays or areas in QC must be prioritized in the establishment of local fire stations.

The Mayor said community fire stations must first be established to justify to stationing of firefighting personnel and the acquisition of the necessary equipment in the priority areas. Mencio/Precy/Maureen Quiñones, PAISO