Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has promised that the remaining local government units (LGUs) in Romblon will have their own fire trucks by the end of the year.
In an interview with PIA Romblon on Thursday, Abalos said only three towns in the province currently lack their own fire trucks for emergency use, especially in case of fires.
“Dadating na po ang fire trucks, I think it's August or September, and they are one of the recipients (The fire trucks are arriving, I think in August or September, and they are one of the recipients),” according to Abalos.
He shared that when President Marcos assumed office, he instructed to find a way to provide fire trucks to municipalities across the country that do not have them.
Aside from the fire trucks, Abalos is hopeful that all LGUs in Romblon will have Bureau of Fire Protection-standard fire station buildings by the end of 2024.
Abalos mentioned that the annual P1 billion allocated for Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) modernization is insufficient to meet the needs. He convinced the Department of Budget Management and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to allocate additional funds to acquire the necessary equipment and infrastructure.
Abalos, along with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., led the distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) to 3,000 farmers and fishermen on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who couldn't attend due to inclement weather.
