Politics · Philippines Bureau
Philippines plans major fire truck modernization drive with Korean imports
The Department of the Interior and Local Government will procure 1,500 new fire trucks by 2027 to replace aging equipment across the country. The P15 billion investment aims to address critical shortages while generating significant savings.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is moving forward with an ambitious fleet modernization program, planning to acquire 1,500 Korean-manufactured fire trucks in 2027 at an estimated cost of P15 billion.
The procurement initiative addresses a long-standing infrastructure challenge facing Philippine emergency services. Many fire stations across the country operate equipment dating back to the 1980s, with some units more than 40 years old. The DILG has identified the aging fleet as a critical operational constraint affecting emergency response capabilities nationwide.
Office officials said the large-scale purchase is expected to yield substantial fiscal benefits, with projections indicating the government could realize approximately P9 billion in savings through the modernization effort. The financial analysis suggests the Korean-made vehicles will offer improved operational efficiency and reduced maintenance costs compared to the aging fleet currently in service.
The procurement timeline positions the delivery and deployment of new fire trucks to coincide with the department's broader infrastructure modernization strategy. The initiative represents one of the largest equipment purchases undertaken by the DILG in recent years, reflecting the scale of fleet replacement needed to bring Philippine fire services to contemporary operational standards.