FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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7 t\p,'! 20 
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First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The increased economic activity in the country has set aside safety standards and 
prevention measures that could prevent, mitigate and lessen the harm of potential 
industrial and residential accidents like fire. 
Republic Act No. 6975 mandated the Bureau of Fire protection to ensure public 
safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, enforce the 
Fire Code, investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaints with 
the appropriate agencies. For operational and logistical efficiency, the BFP will have to 
effect a modernization program that would safeguard the populace from the hazards of 
destructive fires. 
The following goals should be realized (1) Fire stations and Emergency Medical 
Services (EMS) will have to be created in all local governleiit units; (2) fire trucks that 
can respond to buildings in financial districts and can navigate small roads and 
thoroughfares in densely populated urban centers will have to be purchased; (3) trauma 
units in public hospitals will have to be upgraded; (4) rescue hotlines promoted; and (5) 
fire personnel, as well as fire volunteers, will have to be trained to be state of the art in 
terms of fire prevention and suppression. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 !][]I/ 
26 c':; 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF FIRE PROTECTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fire Protection 
Modernization Act of 2007". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to develop the 
Bureau of Fire Protection BFP), ensure public safety through the prevention of and 
suppression of all kinds of destructive fires with the active support of the community, 
enforce Presidential Decree No. 1185, and further strengthen the local government 
capability aimed towards the effective delivery of fire protection service and competent 
fire protection personnel. The acquisition of modern equipment shall constitute the main 
thrust of the Fire Protection Modernization Program. 
SECTION 3. Component. - The Fire Protection Modernization Program shall 
consist of the following, for implementation over a three year period:: 
(a) Establishment of Fire protection Service (FPS) in all local government units 
with no existing fire protection services; 
(b) Upgrading of existing fire protection equipment and services; 
(e) Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within the 
BFP such as but not limited to: high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircraft/airport fires, 
ship fires, chemical fires, disaster rescue services, emergency medical services and the 
like; and 
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(d) Establishment of training facilities including the hiring of internationally 
accredited training consultants and advisers if experts of equal qualification cannot be 
secured locally to accelerate the personnel development program. 
SECTION 4. SpeciulProvident Fund. - A Special provident Fund shall be created 
under the BFP solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits for members and 
scholarship for dependents. 
SECTION 5. Budget. - The amount of Eight Billion Pesos (P 8,000,000,000.00) 
for the Fire Protection Modernization Program is hereby appropriated from the following 
sources: 
(a) P 3.5 Billion from the 32.5% share of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 7227, Section 8(1); 
(b) P 2.5 Billion from the income of the Philippine Lottery; 
(c) P 1.0 Billion from the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming 
Corporation (PAGCOR); 
(d) 1.0 Billion to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year 
immediately preceding the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Multi-Year Contracts or Other Contractual Arrangement. - The 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) may, subject to the approval of the 
President, provisions of existing laws and regulations including those of the Commission 
on Audit and under such terms and conditions favorable to the government, enter into 
multi-year contracts, 1easeAease-purchase agreements or other contractual agreements 
with local or foreign suppliers/contractors in the implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Special Foreign Exchange Reduction Scheme. - In order to reduce 
foreign exchange outflow, generate local employment opportunities, and enhance 
technology transfer to the Philippines, the DILG shall, as far as feasible, incorporate in 
each contractkgreement special foreign exchange reduction schemes such as barter, 
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counter trade, in-country manufacture, co-production, build-operate transfer (BOT) or 
other innovative arrangements or combinations thereof. 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from 
the approval of this Act, the DILG shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to 
implement the provisions of this Act; Provided, that such implementing rules and 
regulations shall ensure that the fire protection vehiclesicraft s of various types, 
communication equipment and facilities, and other support equipment will be equitably 
distributed to the different fire units for the better realization o€ the envisioned objectives 
of this Act. 
SECTION 9. Annual Reports. - The Chief Fire Marshall shall submit to the 
president and Congress, through the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local 
Governments, an annual report containing the process of the implementation of the Fire 
Protection Modernization program as provided for in this Act. 
The Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall submit to the President and 
Congress an annual report of the status of Fire Protection Modernization Program Trust 
Fund as provided for by Section 4 hereof. 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of 
this Act is declared unconstitutional or illegal, other parts or provisions hereof which are 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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