Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has assured that efforts are underway to address the shortage of operational fire trucks after an inventory showed that some municipalities in the province are currently without a functional firefighting vehicle.
The inventory, conducted by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Iloilo Chapter as of March 18, 2026, found that only 41 of the province’s 77 fire trucks are operational. Fifteen units have been classified as dilapidated due to age, while 22 are undergoing major repairs.
The assessment identified Tubungan, Leon, Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Anilao, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Lemery, and San Dionisio as the municipalities currently without a functional fire truck, raising concerns over their emergency response capability.
In a press conference, Defensor said the provincial government is exploring possible financial assistance for affected local government units (LGUs), including the use of funds from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Peace and Order Fund to help municipalities acquire replacement fire trucks.
The governor also said he plans to personally meet Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla to formally request additional fire trucks for the province.
“Fire trucks really need addition. Sang una, may mga banwa pa kita waay sang fire stations and fire trucks pero kumpleto na kita subong, except ang fire trucks sang una nagdaan na kag kinahanglan nga islan,” Defensor said.
LMP-Iloilo Chapter president and Badiangan Mayor Suzette Mamon said the inventory has already been endorsed to the provincial government for onward submission to the DILG and other concerned national government agencies to seek funding support.
She said the assessment was intended to strengthen the fire response capability of municipalities by identifying areas with the greatest need for replacement or repair of firefighting equipment.
According to Mamon, some fire trucks listed as undergoing repairs continue to respond to emergencies despite their condition, but maintenance costs have continued to increase because of their age.
She added that the inventory is regularly updated as some units may have already been repaired while others may require replacement.
Based on the inventory, the 15 dilapidated fire trucks are located in Bingawan, which has two units, and one unit each in Oton, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Zarraga, Cabatuan, Calinog, Dingle, Dumangas, Barotac Viejo, Batad, San Dionisio, and Sara.
Meanwhile, the 22 fire trucks undergoing major repairs are assigned to Badiangan and Barotac Nuevo, with two units each, and one unit each in Guimbal, Miag-ao, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Leganes, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Mina, Dueñas, Dumangas, Anilao, Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Carles, and Lemery.
Mamon said many municipalities cannot afford to purchase new fire trucks using only their local funds, underscoring the need for additional assistance from the national government and the Bureau of Fire Protection to ensure communities have adequate firefighting capability.Pia Maleriado, WVSU-COC intern/IMT
