The Commission on Audit (CoA) has demanded an explanation from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for the lack of active fire stations in 146 municipalities, as well as of 157 fire trucks, despite a substantial allocation for them in 2023.

A review of the BFP’s accomplishment report showed that as of the end of 2023, 146 of the 1,485 municipalities nationwide did not have fire stations. Additionally, of the cities and towns with fire stations, 157 had no fire trucks.

These “lapses” of the BFP occurred amid a total of 16,426 fire incidents recorded nationwide in 2023.

“This deficiency means these communities lack immediate access to firefighting personnel, facilities and equipment during emergencies, potentially leading to delays in response time and increased damage from accidents,” the CoA said.

“Without activated fire stations, these areas may face higher risks of property loss, injuries and even loss of life in case of fire outbreaks,” it added.

The BFP is responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires. It is mandated to use P1 billion for its modernization, including the acquisition and improvement of facilities, for the purchase of fire trucks, and personal protective equipment, in addition to the appropriated budget it receives annually.

State auditors found that of the 146 municipalities without active fire stations, 12 were awaiting bureau orders for activation, while eight were still in the process of construction.

Audit findings further revealed that among the top five regions with the highest percentage of municipalities without active fire stations, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) leads the list at 52.59 percent.

State auditors found that of the 146 municipalities without active fire stations, 12 were awaiting bureau orders for activation, while eight were still in the process of construction.

The auditors said this was due to the fact that the majority of the BARMM municipalities were not included in the funding program for fire stations in the early years.

“The lack of prioritization in constructing fire stations in municipalities without activated fire stations carries significant implications for public safety, emphasizing the urgent need to reevaluate budget priorities,” the auditing body stated.

In response, the BFP cited the limited budget provided by the Department of Budget and Management as the primary reason for the lack of fire stations.

Nevertheless, it informed the auditors that the number of municipalities without fire stations had been reduced from 146 to 138 as of April this year.