Construction of the P19.4-million fire station in Panglao is set to start in July amid the resort town’s projected economic boom and mulled cityhood application, said a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) official.
Panglao fire marshal Senior Inspector Raul Bustaliño told dyRD Balita on Wednesday that the multi-million facility is being funded through a budget allocated for the BFP.
“Actually ang storya sa atong national headquarters sugdan akrong July. Kay actually ang pondo ana gi-download na sa region, 19.4 million. Sa Bureau of Fire g’yud ni na funding,” said Bustaliño.
The two-story building which will have a total floor area of 800 square meters will be erected in a 973-sqm lot located near the town’s municipal hall in Barangay Poblacion.
Bustaliño said that the land was donated by the Panglao local government unit (LGU).
Construction of the building is expected to be completed within one year.
“Ibutang nalang nato nga one year, pinaka conservative na estimate,” he added.
However, bidding for the facility’s construction has yet to be completed.
According to Bustaliño, the fire station can accommodate four fire trucks and one ambulance.
He said that the ambulance will be part of the LGU-established Panglao Emergency and Medical Rescue Unit (PEMRU) which he will head.
“In preparation pud kay ga plano sila og mo apply og cityhood ang Panglao. Kay actually qualified naman ang Panglao sa area ug income pud…kay busy naman gud ang Panglao kinahilanglan na pud og response unit,” he added.
Meanwhile, construction of a privately-funded fire substation in the Alona area between the villages of Tawala and Danao is ongoing.
It is a project of the Panglao Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PICCI) and the Alona Beach Community Association Inc.(ABCAI) through Bohol Divers Resort owner Paz Trotin.
According to Bustaliño, the substation will be manned by a 14-man team while 48 personnel will be assigned at the central Panglao Fire Station once completed.
The current Panglao Fire Station has 19 personnel and one active fire truck. (R. Tutas)