MANILA, Philippines – By the end of the year, different cities and towns around the Philippines will be receiving new fire trucks, as part of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “modernization” program.

During the kick-off ceremony of the Fire Prevention Month, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will buy and deliver to various areas 300 more Rosenbauer fire trucks by the end of the year.

(READ: Why is March Fire Prevention Month?)

At least 22 cities on Monday, March 3, also received new Rosenbauer fire trucks which Roxas called “the Mercedes Benz of fire-fighting vehicles.” The 22 firetrucks bring to 76 the total number of highly-urbanized cities with “world-class fire-fighting equipment,” according to statement from the DILG.

“Kabahagi ito ng programa ni Pangulong PNoy sa tuwid na daan na kung saan dahil sa tama at wastong pagbibili nitong mga kagamitan na ito ay dekalidad at standard subalit dahil maramihan ay napapababa natin ang mga cost ng mga bagay na ito,” Roxas said in a speech. (This is part of the President’s “straight and narrow” path. We buy in bulk so we are able to buy quality equipment at a low cost.)

According to the DILG, the Austria-made Rosenbauer fire trucks cost less than locally-made fire trucks, at around P7 million per truck. Locally-assembled trucks purchased by the DILG in the past cost the department from P8 to P9.9 million, said Roxas.

Roughly P600 million was spent to buy the 76 or so firetrucks. Another P1.6 billion will be spent for the 300 or so additional fire trucks.

The goal, said Roxas, is for every town in the Philippines to have its own fire truck.

The 76 fire trucks are part of a 2013 deal. The additional 300 trucks will be procured in the next few weeks, added Roxas. Other agencies under the DILG – the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – are also undergoing “modernization” programs.

The 76 local government units which received new fire trucks include:

1. Las Piñas City F/S
2. Parañaque City F/S
3. Malabon City F/S
4. Pasay City F/S
5. San Juan City F/S
6. Mandaluyong City F/S
7. Quezon City F/S
8. Manila City F/S
9. Caloocan City F/S
10. Taguig City F/S NCR
11. Pasig City F/S
12. Antipolo City F/S
13. Meycauyan City F/S
14. San Jose Del Monte City F/S
15. Calamba City F/S
16. Tanauan City F/S
17. Batangas City F/S
18. Baguio City F/S 
19. Lipa City F/S
20. Angeles City F/S
21. Cebu City F/S
22. Mandaue City F/S
23. Lapu-Lapu City F/S
24. Talisay City F/S
25. Tanjay City F/S
26. Bayawan City F/S
27. Bacolod City F/S
28. Iloilo City F/S
29. Baybay City F/S
30. Zamboanga City F/S
31. Dapitan City F/S
32. Pagadian City F/S
33. Davao City
34. Digos City F/S
35. Tagum City
36. Kidapawan City F/S
37. Cotabato City F/S
38. Gen Santos City F/S
39. Valenzuela City F/S
40. Muntinlupa City F/S
41. Marikina City F/S
42. Navotas City F/S
43. Makati City F/S
44. San Pablo City F/S
45. Tagaytay City F/S
46. Lucena City F/S
47. Naga City F/S
48. Malolos City F/S
49. San Fernando City F/S
50. San Fernando City F/S
51. Kabankalan City F/S
52. Borongan City F/S
53. Valencia City F/S
54. Malaybalay City F/S
55. Iligan City F/S
56. Cagayan De Oro City F/S
57. Panabo City F/S
58. Mati City F/S
59. Koronadal City F/S
60. Lamitan City F/S
61. Marawi City F/S
62. Butuan City F/S
63. Tuguegarao City F/S
64. Santiago City F/S
65. Cauayan City F/S
66. San Jose City F/S
67. Tarlac City F/S
68. Olongapo City F/S
69. Trece Martires City F/S
70. Calapan City F/S
71. Legazpi City F/S
72. City of Sorsogon F/S
73. Tabuk City F/S
74. Roxas City F/S
75. Passi City F/S
76. Bais City F/S

Disaster risk reduction too

Roxas also called on the BFP to make disaster preparedness and response a part of its information and education campaign.

“Ituloy ninyo ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa bawat barangay— at sa bawat pamilya pa nga kung kakayanin— masiguro lamang natin na lahat ay handa sa panahon ng sunog at anumang banta ng sakuna,” said Roxas. (Continue working with communities, and with families to ensure their preparedness in the event of a fire or any other calamity.)

Roxas lauded the BFP for their courage in times of distress, especially during the 2013 Zamboanga crisis. BFP members who were trying to put our fires in the city were shot at by rebels, said Roxas.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, members of the BFP were tasked with collecting the dead. “Your heroism, and your commitment and the upholding of the ideals na nasabi nung fireman sa pledge ay talaga namang kitang-kita, sariwang-sariwa sa inyong pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay at gawain,” he said. (Your heroism, your commitment in upholding the ideals in the fireman’s pledge is clear in your everyday work.) – Rappler.com