Group hits BFP over 'obsolete' fire trucks

MANILA, Philippines - Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones asked Bureau of Fire Protection chief Gen. Roland Bandilla yesterday to show a purported survey of BFP regional directors and field fire marshals who reportedly recommended the procurement of “obsolete” imported power takeoff (PTO) engines over locally manufactured fire trucks.

Last week, Bandilla said most of the BFP regional directors prefer PTO fire trucks. Palmones said aside from PTO fire trucks being costly and imported, this technology is “considered obsolete” in the US, Japan and Australia.

These PTO fire engines are also disadvantageous to the Filipino people because they offer no after sales care and have no warranty over its parts and services, he said.

Maria Estrella Garcia of Anos Research Manufacturing challenged Bandilla to test their Anos Pinoy fire truck against an imported PTO truck in a head-to-head performance and physical comparative test.

This is to prove the world-class design, ingenuity, strength and compatibility of their Filipino-made fire truck, she said.

Garcia said Anos is the only Filipino fire truck manufacturer in the country today, and has passed all technical standards and specifications of the BFP.