Deputy Speaker and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II led the turnover of two firetrucks and five ambulances to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and several barangays to boost the city’s emergency response amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent fires that struck some areas in Mandaluyong.
Two units of 45-meter aerial ladder firetrucks capable of a 15-story building elevation were turned over to BFP Mandaluyong during the ceremony graced by Gonzales, his wife Queenie, and city officials in Greenfield District.
The five ambulance units worth P2.4 million each from the Department of Health were given to Barangay Addition Hills, Barangay Hulo, Barangay Vergara, Command, and Control Center (C3), and the National Center for Mental Health.
“We are elated and thankful that, through our continuous efforts and lobbying in Congress, we are finally able to push for these firetrucks and ambulances which will play a crucial role in serving our constituents here in Mandaluyong during times of disasters and emergencies,” Gonzales said.
“We hope that through these firetrucks, we will be able to boost our firefighters’ capabilities against fire incidents especially for high-rise buildings in the city, as well as crowded areas where elevated firefighting mechanisms would have better reach,” he added.
“The five initial ambulance units from DOH will also surely help our people and serve their health and emergency needs. These are testaments of our commitment to public service during these challenging times. Our people deserve no less,” added Rep. Gonzales, who strived to allocate funds for these since the 16th Congress.
During the 17th Congress from 2016-2019, Rep. Gonzales’s wife—Congresswoman Queenie Gonzales—made sure that the request for the budget will not be disregarded since procurement of these units will take a while. Finally, under the 18th Congress, the aerial ladder fire trucks were bid and awarded to BFP in mid-2021.