Push Admin

308 towns without fire stations, 59 without fire trucks: COA

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

MANILA- The Commission on Audit (COA) said the Bureau of Fire Protection is &quot;not on track&quot; in accomplishing its modernization program within its timelines as only 263 fire stations were built out of its target of 945.In the 2018 performance audit report on the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), government auditors found out that 44 fire stations are still being constructed but the rest have not yet started construction and only 621 out of the BFP’s target 1,057 fire trucks were procured.The primary reason for the failure of the BFP to reach its targets is funding.“The total fund allotted to the Modernization Program is P13.17 billion. This is only 22 percent of the total funding requirement in the amount of P60.29 billion,” the COA report said.As a result, the COA said only 416 out of the 945 fire stations and 597 out of the 1,057 fire trucks were funded by the government, with 152 fire trucks bought through Official Development Assistance.Another reason cited by government auditors is procurement problems as the BFP does not have a functioning Bids and Awards Committee and had to outsource the services of the Department of Budget and Management and the Philippine International Trading Corporation.The COA however noted that the BFP still failed to utilize P1.91 billion which was later on reverted to the Bureau of Treasury.The last challenge noticed by government auditors is monitoring of projects.“BFP failed to properly monitor the construction of its fire stations and the maintenance of its firetrucks. Upon inspection, 11 out of the 44 ongoing construction were already abandoned by its contractors,” the COA report said.The report also noted 308 municipalities nationwide do not have fire stations although some towns have already received lots as donations.Included in the 308 municipalities are Carasi, Ilocos Norte; Itbayat, Batanes; San Jose, Tarlac; Balete, Batangas; Agutaya, Palawan; Rapu-Rapu, Albay; Lezo, Aklan; Manjuyod, Negros Oriental; San Julian, Eastern Samar; Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur; Nunungan, Lanao del Norte; Sarangani, Davao Occidental; Luba, Abra; Sison, Surigao, del Norte; Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.There are 59 municipalities with fire stations but without fire trucks, among them Currimao, Ilocos Norte; Divilacan, Isabela; Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija; Magallanes, Cavite; Sta. Maria, Romblon; Garchitorena, Camarines, Sur; Guindulman, Bohol; La Paz, Northern Leyte; Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur; Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental; San Juan, Abra; South Upi, Maguindanao; Tubajon, Dinagat Islands.It was also noted in the report that there are 19 municipalities that have fire trucks but there are no BFP-owned fire stations.The COA report also noted, with photos included, the lack of separate quarters for female firefighters such as in Commonwealth, Quezon City; Catigbian, Bohol; Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro and Bayawan City in Negros Oriental.BFP officials however reasoned out that there was low budget utilization because of lack of project site evaluations and fear of lawsuits from losing bidders.“According to BFP officials, practically no one wants to become a BAC member for fear of being subjected to lawsuit,” the COA noted in the report.BFP officials also noted the absence of bidders in projects located on isolated islands and municipalities such as in Busuanga, Palawan and Lubang, Oriental Mindoro.“BFP officials pointed that prospective bidders are not interested to participate in the bidding since the amount stated in the ABC (Approved Budget for Contract) is not commensurate to the amount needed to transport the materials,” the COA noted in the report. The BFP also told government auditors that regional offices are “responsible for the monitoring and supervision of the implementation of their respective projects.”The BFP also noted that some lots donated by local government units were less than the minimum area of 400 square meters required for fire stations to properly accommodate personnel as well as firetrucks.The BFP also informed the audit team that there is a pending bill in Congress for the revision of the Fire Code of the Philippines which will give authority to the agency to procure lots from fire code fees.

The primary reason for the failure of the BFP to reach its targets is funding.

308 towns without fire stations, 59 without fire trucks: COA

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

308 towns without fire stations, 59 without fire trucks: COA

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 23, 2019 04:20 PM PHT

Read More:

COA

BFP

Bureau of Fire Protection

fire truck

fire station

commission on audit

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.