BFP 11 builds 12 new fire stations
THE Bureau of Fire Protection 11 (BFP 11) said 12 fire stations were constructed in the region between 2016 and 2017.
BFP 11 regional director Fire Senior Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu said yesterday during the AFP-PNP press forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that the national headquarters is pushing for the construction of fire stations and renovations of older stations that will have the same design.
“Some of our fire stations are categorized as fire hazards. We are imple- menting fire safety especially the provisions of the fire code but without knowing that our fire stations are also subject for inspection,” Kwan Tiu told the media.
The fire stations each had a budget between P7 million to P11 million, depending on the size of the building.
“Marami tayong dilapidated [fire stations], maraming subject for repair and renovation and as I said meron tayong 12 na bago,” he said. Of the 12, five have been completed already while
another five are still in the process of completion. The remaining two, Kwan Tiu said, had problems with the contractor who told them that they could no longer finish the project. Thus, they are looking for new contractor to complete the construction.
Meanwhile, he said they have allocated a budget for the construction of five more stations but locations will have yet to be determined.
“Ang requirement kasi is a deed of donation or use of prop. We cannot afford or we are not allowed to buy lot for fire station and that is why we are negotiating with the local government units and some private entities to donate lots,” Kwan Tiu said.