Manila, Sept. 10 -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is seeking about PHP3.1 billion under the proposed 2027 budget to maintain fire trucks, facilities, and fire stations, after senators raised concerns that some fire trucks in the provinces remain unusable due to delayed repairs and spare parts.

During the Senate Finance Subcommittee J hearing on the Department of the Interior and Local Government's proposed budget, Senator Erwin Tulfo asked whether the BFP had set aside funds for preventive maintenance, saying firefighters in the provinces had complained of non-working fire trucks.

"May mga fire trucks natin sa mga probinsya, hindi ho gumagana. Ang reason na sinasabi ng bumbero, nagaantay pa roon ng request dito sa main office (Som...