08/10/2026
READ | DILG to procure 1,500 fire trucks in 2027, eyes ₱9-B savings
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to procure 1,500 fire trucks in 2027 as part of a major modernization push to address the country’s fire truck shortage, replace aging equipment, and save the government an estimated ₱9 billion.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said some fire trucks currently in service have been operating for decades, underscoring the need to modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) fleet.
“Sa buong Pilipinas meron tayong mga fire trucks na 40 years old, 1986 pa na acquire,” Remulla said during the blessing and turnover of Unified 911 emergency response vehicles to different police units in Quezon province on Wednesday.
Remulla said he and BFP Officer-in-Charge Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu went to Korea to establish a government-to-government agreement for the planned procurement. Under the arrangement, the cost of each fire truck is expected to go down from around ₱16 million to ₱10 million, translating to approximately ₱9 billion in government savings.
“Kung dati ₱16 million per fire truck, ngayon ₱10 million na lang kada fire truck. Tanggal ang corruption diyan. Ang savings natin 1,500 [firetrucks] times 6 (million pesos) -- ₱9 billion pesos ang savings natin para sa BFP,” he said.
The procurement forms part of the DILG’s broader push to strengthen public safety capabilities as communities and local economies continue to grow.
In Quezon, Remulla noted that rapid economic growth must be matched by investments in emergency response and police mobility.
“Ngayon masasabi natin ang bagong Quezon ay ang fastest growing province sa entire Region 4A, kaya congratulations,” he said.
To keep pace with this growth, the DILG is increasing police motorcycle mobility and expanding the use of drones for public safety operations, allowing authorities to respond faster and reach more communities.
“Ang aking panaginip ay gaya nang ginawa ko sa Cavite, sumobra na ang sasakyan sa pulis. Dapat lahat kayo ay may mobility,” Remulla said.
He stressed that modern equipment alone is not enough, and that effective public safety ultimately depends on national agencies, uniformed services, and local governments working together.
“Hindi natin pwedeng gawin ang public safety kung iisa lang tayo. Hindi pwedeng pulis nag-iisa lang. Hindi pwedeng BFP nag-iisa lang. Kailangan sama-sama tayo,” he said.
“We are here together to make a better [Region] 4A. To make a better Quezon. To make a better Philippines. Mabuhay kayo. Mabuhay ang Quezon. Mabuhay ang Region 4A,” he stressed.
