The Bureau of Fire Protection, an attached agency of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), on Monday said they will receive six fire trucks from the Republic of China today, 5 December, during a turn-over ceremony at the BFP National Headquarters in Quezon City.
The donation was facilitated through Task Force Bangon Marawi, an agency dedicated toward the full rehabilitation of the Islamic City which was severely destroyed during the so-called Marawi Siege in 2017.
Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos thanked China for its generosity noting that the fire trucks would help hasten the city's ongoing recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
For his part, BFP Director Louie Puracan said they will conduct training and capacity-building programs to ensure that Marawi City's firefighting personnel are fully equipped to utilize the newly acquired fire trucks and equipment.
To recall, the 2017 Marawi Siege had caused widespread destruction to vital infrastructures, facilities, and public and private buildings including the Marawi City Fire Station in Barangay Biaba-Damag.
The city fire station was razed to the ground and its four fire trucks were destroyed during the intense conflict that lasted for about five months.
The lack of firefighting capability in the area severely handicapped the local authorities during which local firefighters failed to attend and respond to at least 18 fire incidents, resulting in millions of pesos worth of damages to structures and properties.