The Office of the Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD 6) has initiated the repainting of fire hydrants in this city to become more visible and accessible to disaster response.

Together with the Bureau of Fire (BFP) and fire volunteers in this city, the OCD 6 was able to repaint a total of 14 fire hydrants, Cindy Ferrer, OCD 6 information officer, said in a phone interview on Saturday.

Ferrer said fire hydrants have to be given importance as it is the source of water for fire trucks. However, the fire hydrants are already rusty and often left unnoticed, she added.

“Our Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairman and OCD 6 regional director Jose Roberto Nuñez noticed that fire hydrants in Iloilo City were neglected. The location of some of the fire hydrants was used to park vehicles,” she said.

Fire hydrants have been painted yellow as the color can easily be spotted in times of fire and other emergencies, Ferrer said. The repainting of the fire hydrants is also a way for the fire volunteers to be oriented on each of its locations.

Serviceable fire hydrants in this city are located at corner Gen. Luna and Valeria streets; corner Quezon and Delgado streets; corner Quezon and De Leon streets; Molo district plaza; Mandurriao District plaza; La Paz District plaza; Sambag in Jaro District; 3 in Lopez Jaena Street in Jaro District; Quintin Salas in Jaro District; Tabuc Suba in Jaro District; Tacas Circumferential Road in Jaro District; and in Don Esteban in Lapuz village.

OCD 6 is also looking at repainting fire hydrants in other cities and provinces in the region. (PNA)