Prioritize firetrucks over firearms – solons
By Nidz Godino
“May savings kasi kami ngayon around P94 million out of savings from procurement of firetrucks and we request for DBM to authorize us to use our savings for procurement of these firearms,” Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Chief Director Louie Puracan said two senators urged upper chamber to prioritize procurement of firetrucks rather than weapons for firefighters. At the Senate Finance Committee hearing on the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) proposed budget for 2023, Senate Minority Floor Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III asked for updates on procurement of firearms in line with implementation of BFP Modernization Act.
In 2021, then President Rodrigo Duterte signed the BFP Modernization Act, which allows firefighters to carry firearms during their operations.
Under the law, Puracan said they were supposed to procure 2,282 firearms for personnel in 146 cities and 72 regional offices.
However, Department of Budget and Management “begged to defer” funding for firearms procurement due to shortage of funds.
Puracan then asked DBM to authorize BFP to use its P94-million savings from fire truck procurement for purchase of firearms which will cost around P45 million.
But in Friday’s Senate finance panel hearing, Pimentel questioned procurement priorities of BFP.
“I’m saddened with the idea to use savings from firetrucks to buy firearms…so ang tanong ko na lang, if that is within your power and authority under your review system gawin niyo yan, pero 45 million pesos is good for how many firetrucks?” Pimentel pointed out.
Puracan, in response, said each fire truck costs P15 million.
“Good for three firetrucks… so, the policy question is: three more firetrucks or 2,000 plus firearms…so I think for Bureau of Fire Protection, that should be a no-brainer because you know what you are supposed to do,” Pimentel said.
Senator Nancy Binay backed Pimentel’s manifestation, saying it’s better to procure firetrucks first as BFP can tap Philippine National Police to address public order concerns during fire rescue operations.
“I also support the call of minority floor leader na baka mas maigi nga na pambili na lang to ng firetrucks kesa don sa baril kasi kung may magandang coordination naman ang PNP tsaka yung BFP, PNP can provide security for our fire personnel pag may mga sunog tayo,” Binay said.
At the early part of the hearing, the BFP was also urged to prioritize poorer local government units in the distribution of firetrucks.
Senator JV Ejercito made the call after the BFP disclosed that there are no fire stations in 203 local government units.
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