The Bureau of Fire Protection in Negros Occidental is now suffering from a shortage of gasoline for its fire trucks.

Worse, this may hamper the firefighters’ response in case of fires.

This is because BFP-Negros Occidental has not received any budget for its gasoline allowance from July to September from their regional office, Supt. Fred Trajeras, provincial BFP chief, said yesterday.

The BFP has 44 serviceable fire trucks in Negros Occidental, with 244 personnel.

Trajeras said each fire truck has a fuel budget of P19,000 to P20,000 every quarter of the year. If the delay in the budget continues, this will have an impact on the delivery of their services to Negrenses, he said.

Senior Supt. Eleuterio Iturriaga, BFP regional director, could not be reached for comment, as of this time. However, there are reports that Iturriaga may personally deliver the gasoline allocation of the BFP-Negros Occidental next week.

Trajeras expressed his dismay that other BFP provincial offices in Western Visayas already received their budgets for gasoline in the third quarter of 2012, but not Negros Occidental.

He said he is thankful that local governments in Negros Occidental and volunteer groups are very supportive, which has made their job easier.

Complaints were also aired against the delayed releases of salaries and other benefits of BFP personnel in Negros Occidental.*GPB

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