MANILA - The Department of the Interior and Local Government confirmed Wednesday an audit report that 176 of the 469 China-made fire trucks purchased by the government in 2015 were defective.

"Roughly 37 percent ay may mga defect -- from simple defects sa side mirror up to medyo serious na finding like problem sa engine, sudden acceleration," DILG Secretary Catalino Cuy said in a radio DZMM interview.

(Roughly 37 percent have defects -- ranging from simple problems with the side mirror to serious findings like issues with engine, sudden acceleration.)

The Bureau of Fire Protection, Cuy said, repaired and has been using the trucks with minor defects.

Fire trucks with graver defects meanwhile remain unused.

Cuy said the supplier should replace the defective vehicles.

He said the DILG is studying a recommendation of the Commission on Audit to fine the supplier P16 million.

Some 400 municipalities across the country do not have their own fire trucks while other towns make do with outdated trucks, Cuy noted.

DZMM TeleRadyo, 28 June 2017