Dumalinao acquires its own fire truck

By Allan June A. Molde

DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur, March 21 - - -To address the need and growing demand of the people of Dumalinao and in keeping with the government’s modernization scheme, the local government of Dumalinao through the initiative of Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles recently acquired its own fire truck.

Rev. Fr. Lucas Hadi Siswo Sasmiti o, SCJ, Parish Priest of Dumalinao officiated the blessing ceremony held yesterday, March 20 which was attended by municipal and barangay officials, employees and a number of Dumalinaoans joined Mayor Ace in the historic event.

In an informal interview with the young mayor, he disclosed that it was his dream to have a fire truck to serve the needs of his constituents. It was also a long cherished dream of the people in Dumalinao.

The town, which has no fire station, is dependent on the capabilities of Pagadian City Fire Station and Dinas Fire Station.  He added that the people of Dumalinao are alarmed that when fire occurs in their town, everything would be reduced to ashes before a fire truck arrives since it will take few minutes  to travel to Dumalinao.

Mayor Cerilles recalled that in a Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Council (MRRMC) Meeting held last May 31, 2011, the council recognized that due to the fast growth and development of the municipality where migration and influx of people has intensified, business also boomed wherein bigger and better stores and commercial establishments have flourished alongside with banks and other financial institutions.

The MRRMC  noted that with these developments, the local government should also take part in bringing the much needed  security as well as better response team when tragedies and calamities occur.  Putting everything into a motion, the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 1, Series of 2011 converting one functional dump truck of the municipality into a fire truck.

In response, the Sangguniang Bayan adopted and approved  Resolution No. 050-2011 which is, “A Resolution Adopting MDC Resolution allocating funds from the 5% Calamity Fund for the Utilization of Pre-Disaster Activities of the Municipality in the Amount of Php 1,000,000.00.”

Believing that this is not just in response to the MRRMC’s request but an act of better governance, the support of the Sangguniang Bayan as well as the plan for a better Dumalinao through the efforts of Mayor Ace Cerilles has become a reality for everyone and that is – to have their own fire truck.

At present, the local government has already trained willing  and physically fit volunteers in some urban barangays which compose the Dumalinao Fire Brigade and who are now ready to respond anytime. This will enable the municipality to have its own quick–response team whenever such calamities  as fire occurs.

Perfectly timed with observance of Fire Prevention Month this March, all barangay captains have lauded the efforts of the young local chief executive. It was through his vision and hard-work that his dream for his constituents was realized. The municipality can undoubtedly achieve its battlecry which is: Padayon Paglambo Dumalinao! (AJM-MIO/ALT/PIA9-Zambo Sur).