The acquisition of firefighting equipment from the Cebu City government had been a tug of war between the fire department and the city’s barangay fire brigades.
A P96 million budget has been included under the city’s Peace and Order Program (POP) for the purchase of the firefighting equipment and accessories this year.
Thinking it’s intended for them, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7 sent a list of equipment worth P95.9 million to City Hall. A separate priority list for procurement worth P44.6 million was also sent by the BFP.
In their regular session yesterday, the council tackled the issue. Councilor Margarita Osmena who heads the committee on budget and finance pointed out the issue after a newspaper report quoting councilor Dave Tumulak that P46 million worth of firefighting gears will be given by the city to 22 barangays.
In a separate interview, Tumulak said the POP’s budget for fire equipment should not just be given to the BFP fire stations.
“Not everything should go to them (BFP) because the thrust of the mayor is to empower other barangays. It’s high time that we help our barangay fire auxiliaries, especially on their equipment because we see that they are very important,” said Tumulak who heads the city’s Peace and Order Program.
He said the BFP should not just depend on the city government since they have their own funds and knowing that the DILG also has a huge chunk of the country’s budget this year./ WITH UP INTERN MARY CLAIRE CHRISTNER U. CATADO