Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
30 October 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the 21st anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Camp Aguinaldo and witnessed the ceremonial turnover of four refurbished fire trucks donated by the Korean Federation of Fire Associations (KFFA) to the BFP.
Two of the four units were already turned over to the municipalities of Alang-Alang, Leyte and Talacugon, Agusan Del Sur as part of the National Action Plan for the Philippines in relation the ASEAN Peatland Forest Project. The other two were given to the municipalities of Candoni, Negros Occidental and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato last September 2012. Certificates of appreciation were also given to groups of Volunteer Fire Brigade.
In his speech, the President reiterated the reforms on the BFP started by the late Sec. Jesse Robredo like the purchase of 76 Rosenbauer 1,000 gallon water pumper fire trucks for the Bureau. Twelve of these units will be available by December and the rest will be ready by the end of 2013. Around 1,800 housing units for the BFP employees will also be given before the end of August next year.
A signed tripartite agreement for the Buying a Living Tree System (BLTS) between DSWD, DILG-BFP and DENR was also presented to President Aquino. Under the system initiated by the Bureau of Fire Protection, eligible Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries shall receive P500 every month for every 500 seedlings planted but 425 living seedlings must be maintained throughout the year in order for them to continuously receive the payment on a monthly basis.
With the theme “BFP @ 21: Committed to the Promotion of Economic Development and Environmental Protection,” the event highlights BFP’s contribution to economic development by ensuring fire safety establishments and structures and in promoting environmental protection though BLTS initiative in rehabilitating, protecting and enhancing the sustainable use of forest resources through community awareness and responsibility.
* * *