Maripipi, a remote town on Biliran Island, will soon see its first-ever fire station, set for completion by June 2025. The ₱10 million project, funded by the Bureau of Fire Protection, aims to improve emergency response and public safety in the area.
Project Details and Timeline
The new fire station will be located on a 400-square-meter lot near Maripipi’s town hall in Ermita village. The local government donated the land, ensuring a central location for ease of access across the island.
Construction of the fire station is scheduled to begin in September 2024, with completion targeted for the middle of 2025. Six personnel, a significant increase from the current two assigned to the area without proper facilities, will man the fire station once it becomes operational.
Image from Discover The Philippines/Wikipedia
Mayor Joseph Caingcoy emphasized the importance of the fire station for Maripipi, even though the town has not recorded any fire incidents in recent years. He highlighted that establishing a fire station fulfills both a legal mandate and a proactive safety measure
“Having a fire station is mandated by law. Even if our town is peaceful and has never recorded any fire incident, it is one of our visions to establish a fire station that will help prevent incidents of fire in the future.” Caingcoy said in an interview.
The fire station is especially important for Maripipi given its geographical isolation. The town is accessible only by boat from Biliran’s mainland, meaning emergency response time is critical for the community’s safety.
Current Fire Preparedness Efforts
Since the town of Maripipi is currently without a formal fire station, the people there have relied on a small team of fire personnel and community volunteers to conduct fire safety drills and awareness programs. While these efforts have been essential in raising safety awareness, the completion of the fire station will allow a more organized and efficient emergency response system, strengthening fire preparedness on the island.
The new fire station is expected to improve response times for emergencies and enhance safety for Maripipi’s 15 villages. This project could also serve as a model for similar safety initiatives in other remote areas of Biliran province, demonstrating the importance of proactive safety measures in rural development.
References:
Amazona, R. (2024, November 12). Biliran island town builds 1st fire station. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1237655
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