MALAY, Aklan – The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) wants the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to expedite the construction of a fire station in mainland Malay in the next three years.
The municipal government is donating an around 400-square meter vacant lot in Barangay Caticlan to the BFP.
“Three years are enough for BFP to process the donation and construction of the fire station building,” said SB member Jupiter Aelred Gallenero.
A fire station in the first-class municipality will enable the firefighters and volunteers to immediately respond to fire incidents in urban areas in mainland Malay.
Gallenero said the BFP officials appealed to the municipal government during a committee hearing this December for a longer time to process the new deed of donation for a parcel of land and fire station construction.
Last year, the legislative council endorsed a resolution stating the local government unit will only provide the lot for the fire station.
The national government – through the BFP – should allocate funds for the station’s personnel and fire trucks, the resolution said.
“We will develop the land for other purposes if there is no construction of fire building in the next two or three years,” SB member Floribar Bautista said.
Currently, the BFP has a fire sub-station in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island.
In Aklan, the towns of Kalibo, New Washington, Balete, Altavas, Libacao, Numancia, Tangalan, Ibajay and Buruanga have their own fire stations.
Fire stations in Malinao, Makato and Madalag were now undergoing construction. The towns of Lezo, Batan, Nabas, and Banga, meanwhile, do not have their own fire stations. (With a report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
