VP NOLI BATS FOR MORE TRAINING, BENEFITS FOR FIREFIGHTERS
March 6, 2009

VICE President Noli 'Kabayan' De Castro called on the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to provide more training and benefits for its firefighters to beef up their morale and firefighting capability.

Speaking during the inauguration of Muntinlupa City's modern fire station recently, De Castro said the advance hardware of the locality's new fire station would be useless without the commitment, dedication and determination of firefighters.

De Castro said the modern tools and equipment available to firefighters are important for the protection of lives of fire victims.

"We owe much to them--the firefighters who put their lives in harm's way to save the lives and property of others. Kaya sa palagay ko ay dapat ding pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagbibigay ng patuloy na training at benefits para sa ating mga firefighters," De Castro added.

With the onset of the fire-prevention month, De Castro also called on the officials of various local governments and agencies to implement programs and activities that focus on fire prevention.

While he commends Muntinlupa City for having the modern fire station, De Castro hopes that no fire incident will call for its use as he also challenged the public to be equally aware of fire prevention measures.

"Sana ay hindi na magkaroon ng sunog na mangangailangan ng malaking pagkilos mula sa inyong fire station at marahil pati na sa ibang mga istasyon. Sana ay hanggang fire drill na lang tayo," he said.

After a fire gutted the Muntinlupa City Hall in August 2007, the local government led by Mayor Aldrin San Pedro prioritized the upgrading of the city's firefighting facility and capability recently.

Today, the city boasts of a new 7-storey fire department building, a state-of-the-art computer-aided fire truck ladder, a brand new rescue van and three brand new pumper tanker fire trucks.

Also present during the event were Congressman Ruffy Biason, Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San pedro, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Fernando Bayani and members of the Muntinlupa City council and other local officials.

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