The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Tuesday presented a plaque of appreciation to Tagbilaran City for its efforts in fire prevention and fire fighting readiness. Tagbilaran was the only local government unit cited in Central Visayas. Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim personally received the citation along with other awardees during the 20 th anniversary of the BFP. The ceremonies were held at the Quezon City Sports Club with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo as guest of honor. Among the awardees were Rep. Rodolfo Biazon and Mayor Aldrin San Pedro of Muntinglupa City, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City, Engr. Severino Carbonell, former mayor of Santo Tomas, La Union; Villaverde Fire Brigade Emergency Response Team of Nueva Vizcaya, Mayor Lorna Silverio of San Rafael, Bulacan; Mayor Maria Angeles Caranzo-Casubuan of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen of Iriga City, Mayor Luben Vilches of Sibunag, Guimaras; Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City; Mayor Rogelio Castillanes of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon; Mayor Basilio Libayao of Talaingod, Davao del Norte and Sunshine Volunteer Fire Brigade of Baguio City. The theme for this year’s BFP celebration is “BFP: Two Decades of Committed Fire Service to the Filipino People”. Commenting on the citation, Lim said that while the city is honored for the recognition, there is still a lot more to be done.

The mayor pointed out that as far as fire prevention capability is concerned, Bohol lags very far behind other provinces. “I think Bohol is among the provinces with the least number of fire trucks in the entire country,” he noted. The mayor said this is lamentable because the provincial leaders could have requested for it especially during the previous administration when Bohol was very close to the heart of the national leadership. “Instead, there was even an instance when the move to give a fire truck to the town of Maribojoc was objected to by an influential official,” he added. Lim said no one in his right mind would object to the acquisition of a fire truck so he was taken aback when the official did everything to prevent Maribojoc from owning one. The mayor said that while Tagbilaran may have been given recognition for its efforts towards fire prevention, there is still a lot to be done. “We all know that everybody has to rush and help when fire breaks out in any part of the province,” he added. Lim said that for this reason, he has made initial contacts with BFP officials for the acquisition of more fire trucks for other towns in Bohol. “I have no problem if politicians claim credit for future acquisitions because the bottom line is common good,” he stressed.