The city government here on Tuesday announced it is allocating some PHP10 million to build 20 water tanks in this island city especially in highly congested areas deemed as fire hazards.

Mayor Junard Chan, in a social media post, said five permanent tanks have so far been built. These are in Sitio New Paradise in Barangay Pajo, Barangay Looc, Barangay Kalawisan, and Sitio Masulog and Sto. Niño Village in Barangay Basak.

Quoting a study conducted by the University of the Philippines (UP), the mayor said inner communities have narrow roads for trucks, making it hard for firemen to penetrate and fire trucks to maneuver in case fire incidents occur.

Given these tight surroundings, the water tanks will serve as support to fire control measures.

Chan said these water tanks are equipped with a water pump to fill the tanks from the ground source, fire hose and nozzle.

“We’ll train the people in the areas as firefighters,” the mayor said, adding that these community fire brigades will be the first to respond in case a fire happens.

He said some 20 firefighters will be trained in every barangay.

He said each water tank with equipment costs PHP500,000 and the local government has allocated PHP10 million for the 20 water tanks. (PNA)