Bongbong-Sara tandem wants immediate enforcement of law modernizing BFP

The tandem of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday underscored the immediate need to implement the law that modernizes the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The tandem said the BFP should recruit more firefighters and provide them with specialized training.

Marcos and Duterte said implementing Republic Act 11589, or “An Act Strengthening and Modernizing the Bureau of Fire Protection and Appropriating Funds, therefore,” would transform the BFP into a modern and world-class institution.

“Kung kayang gawin ito sa loob ng mas maikling panahon, gagawin natin dahil ang BFP hindi lang sa sunog, rumeresponde. Tumutulong din ito kapag may iba pang kalamidad,” the tandem said in statement released Monday.

(If we can implement this immediately, we will do it as the BFP not only responds to fire incidents but also in other calamities.)

“We are observing Fire Prevention Month this March. It is ironic that, as we have experienced in the past years, parang mas maraming nangyayaring sunog kapag ganitong buwan (more fire incidents are happening this month). We have to improve the services and capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection to make it more responsive,” it added.

In September of last year, President Rodrigo Duterte inked into law the Republic Act 11589, which allows firefighters to carry firearms.

Duterte said some victims of fires would threaten firemen and insist that their areas would be prioritized. He noted that by carrying firearms, the firefighters would be confident in doing their jobs. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News