Secretary Abalos to resign from post tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines — Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos will be stepping down from his post tomorrow, October 7, 2024.

This as the DILG chief will be filing for candidacy as senator in the midterm elections.

Abalos confirmed this anew during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Baseco Fire Station in Manila yesterday.

“Aalis na po ako sa Lunes eh, hindi na po ako Secretary of the Interior. Mag re-resign na po ako…ako’y mag fa-file na po noh,” Abalos said.

But before stepping down, Abalos said he wanted to give the go signal for the Bureau of Fire Protection’s purchase of a firefighting helicopter.

“Ang sinabi ko sa pondo, bago ako umalis, pinondohan, para bumili nitong helicopter na may scoop. Para mag silbi dito sa Pilipinas…para hindi tayo mahuli,” Abalos said while saying that the Philippine government currently does not own such equipment. He, however, did not say how many will be purchased.

Abalos stressed that such helicopters will be useful, especially in areas that are not easily accessible, while emphasizing that the first two minutes of a fire is very crucial.

“Ang pinakamasaklap na mangyayari sa isang tao ay ang masunugan. Di bale manakawan ka ng ilang beses, wag ka lang masunugan,” Abalos said.

Abalos noted more fire incidents were recorded this year due to the El Niño, and worse in areas that could have been avoided.

With this, Sec. Abalos further urged local government units to work with the BFP on free inspection of areas in their respective localities to determine its safety.

“Magtulungan tayo sa barangay, sa lungsod, magkaron ng proyekto with the Bureau of Fire, mga libreng inspeksyon,” Abalos said while also encouraging everyone to always check electric connections.

Aside from the helicopter, Abalos also said he is expecting that all LGUs in the country to finally have their own firetrucks and fire stations.

He also hopes areas with informal settlers will have at least a fire hydrant for emergency purposes and for local and barangay officials to look into high rise buildings to ensure fire exits are put in place.

“Pero walang papalit sa pagtuloy-tulong…kamukha ng pinapakita nyo ngayon, ng congressman, ng mayor, ng council, ng barangay captain, ng SK, yan po ang magdadala, hindi lang ng Maynila kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” Sec.Abalos said.

Abalos is the lone Cabinet member under President Bongbong Marcos’ administration that has been endorsed as one of the latter’s senatorial bets.

Sec .Abalos previously served as MMDA chair under the Duterte administration and mayor and congressman in Mandaluyong some years back. — (FREEMAN)