VILLAR LEADS SENATE IN COMMENDING PARALYZED FIREFIGHTER

Sen. Manny Villar led the Senate in its commendation of Paraaque City Fire Inspector Enrique Francisco for his heroism, valor, and devotion to his job as a firefighter.

Villar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order, filed Senate Resolution No. 475, commending Francisco who suffered spinal cord damage, leaving him paralyzed and in a body cast for over ten months, when part of a burning roof fell on him as he was working to save a housemaid trapped inside a house at Block 3, Lot 3, Equity Homes subdivision in Barangay San Antonio, Paraaque City last May 27, 2005.

The Paraaque residence was already ablaze when Francisco learned that someone was trapped inside. Francisco rushed into the house and saw the woman unconscious. He called Fire Chief Inspector Gregorio Elbambo and FO3 Artemio Villalino for help. The woman Franciscos group rescued died of smoke inhalation, but due to their efforts, her body was not charred. Francisco however broke his back, damaging his spinal cord, when the burning roof collapsed.

Fire Inspector Enrique Franciscos selflessness and courage is a shining example of Filipino heroism. His strong desire to put on his firemans uniform and get back into fighting form despite the pain and paralysis that ail him shows his devotion to his job as a firefighter, Villar said.

The Senate adopted Villars resolution which will be presented to Francisco in a formal ceremony. The senators will affix their signatures and the Senate seal to the framed resolution to honor Francisco.

Franciscos commendation comes at a time that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is observing Fire Prevention Month. Based on records from March 1 to 13, there were 97 fires, compared to the 112 fires reported during the same period last year. The BFP reported that one person died and estimated property damage in these fires was P16.8 million. This is less that last years figures of 11 deaths and an estimated P51 million worth of property lost to fire.

We will support the P352 million increase in the BFPs budget to fully implement the salary standardization of the BFP uniformed personnel, the hiring of 381 Fire Officers-I, mandatory expenditures, and the acquisition of firemens equipment such as hoses, nozzles, and firemans protective gears which our firefighters badly need, Villar said.

The BFPs budget for 2006 amounts to P4.2 billion compared to its 2005 budget of P3.6 billion.