Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez on Monday urged the government and Congress to prioritize all efforts to modernize the Bureau of Fire and Protection.
“I appeal to our government and Speaker Alan (Cayetano) to prioritize all efforts aimed at modernizing the BFP for the best interest of the nation. Let us build fire stations and purchase modern equipment for our firefighters,” she said.
“Many towns in the countryside have been using old and dilapidated trucks,” she added.
She lamented that 26 out of 143 local government units in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) have fire trucks or fire stations.
Romualdez, committee on the welfare of children chairperson, made the call following a 17-hour fire that hit Robinsons Place mall in Tacloban City, Leyte a week ago.
Her husband, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, vowed to look for ways to “to embark on modernizing the equipment of fire fighters aimed at preventing the loss of lives and properties.”
The Leyte legislator is the chairperson of the powerful committee on rules.
“Our malasakit (compassion) for BFP is always there to ensure public safety,” he said.
The lady lawmaker said she recognized the heroism of firefighters and volunteers whose “malasakit” has been saving lives, homes, and properties from destructive fires.
She lamented the firefighters and fire victims were in great risks if firefighting equipment were not that reliable.