AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
August 2, 2017

“Ngayon hingiin niyo ang the best, at ibibigay ko,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the men and women of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) as he spoke of scrapping the system of having the lowest bidder win government contracts for equipment and other projects during the BFP’s 26th anniversary celebration at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“I want the best dahil ayokong madehado ang gobyerno,” continued President Duterte as he explained how the ‘lowest bidder’ procurement system is prone to corruption.

The President also spoke of how the BFP is “as important as the other branches of the government” and promised to include the BFP in the salary increase planned for all government offices, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

President Duterte also mused on the possibility of giving personal side arms to some BFP members for self-defense to help avoid the kidnap-for-ransom modus operandi of rogue elements and terrorists against government workers.

“I cannot build a nation in disarray,” said the President as he reiterated the significance of the administration’s war on illegal drugs.

Before President Duterte ended his speech, he told the members of the BFP, “Kung meron kayong problema… problema ninyo… I will always have time for you,” and said, “the only thing I ask of you is to remain loyal to the country.”

During the program, the President led the presentation of awards to several members and offices of the BFP with the help of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-In-Charge Undersecretary Catalino Cuy and BFP Acting Chief C/Supt. Leonard Bañago.

With the theme ‘BFP at 26: Embracing the Challenge of Sustaining its Commitment Toward a Fire-Safe Community,’ the bureau’s 26th anniversary celebration showcased its steadfast dedication for the continued safety of the Filipino people against fires and other disasters.

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