ILOILO City – The city government has reinforced its disaster response arsenal with the acquisition of a brand-new, P8.68-million custom-built Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) truck, marking a significant leap in its capacity to handle complex emergencies and offer aid across Panay Island.
“This is a strategic investment in public safety,” said Darwin Papa, head of the Disaster Response Division of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO). “With this new truck, we’re not just expanding our capacity to respond to disasters in Iloilo City — we’re also better positioned to help our neighboring municipalities during large-scale emergencies.”
The technical rescue truck is the city’s first custom-fabricated vehicle dedicated to technical rescues such as mid-rise extractions, road accidents, and flood emergencies.
Built on an Isuzu NQR75 Euro IV chassis, it has an 8,500-kg gross vehicle weight (GVW) and is equipped with advanced tools sourced internationally.
Among its standout features are a three-ton capacity crane from Japan, an Italian-made insulated work basket for elevated rescues, and a United States-made lighting system capable of producing 40,000 lumens for night or low-visibility operations.
It also has a 13,500-pound front winch and extended bumper designed for vehicle extrication and recovery missions.
“This vehicle was built with versatility in mind. It’s equipped to respond to urban collapses, flood rescues, traffic accidents, and more,” Papa explained. “We designed it so that in one deployment, we can do the work of multiple specialized units.”
This latest addition brings the city’s rescue fleet to three. The first is a surplus unit tailored for structural collapse and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response, while the second supports water rescues and doubles as a mobile incident command center with spotlight systems and a boat towing function.
“This new addition will be assigned to technical rescues, especially in road incidents and extrication operations. It’s the first of its kind in the city,” Papa added. “And because it’s custom-built for our needs, it fits perfectly with our mission to ensure no Ilonggo is left behind in times of disaster.”
The vehicle also includes a built-in generator with waterproof sockets, allowing operations in power-deprived or remote areas. It is expected to be particularly crucial during the rainy season and in future large-scale emergency scenarios.
“Whenever there’s a big emergency in Panay, we are often among the first to respond. This vehicle ensures we can do that more efficiently, safely, and effectively,” Papa said.
“This acquisition is a reflection of Iloilo City’s proactive approach to disaster risk reduction,” he added. “It’s not just about having equipment — it’s about being ready, mobile, and capable when people’s lives are on the line.”
The technical rescue truck will begin operations this month./PN