HOUSL OF RESENTATIVES:
RBECENED
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES pave, 0.9 AUG 2016
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ae. SOY
Quezon Ci rosea
v BY: i
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session RE?'STRATION UNE

9n¢ BILLS aNd ADEX
House Bill No. © 228

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C, ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTES

The increased economic activity in the country has set aside safety standards and prevention
measures that will prevent, mitigate, and lessen, industrial and residential accidents caused by
fire.

Republic Act No. 6975 mandates the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure public safety
through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, the enforcement of the
fire code, and the investigation of all causes of firer, and if necessary, the filing of the proper
complaints with the appropriate agencies, For operational and logistical efficiency, the Bureau of
Fire Protection needs to implement a modernization program that will safeguard the populace
from the hazards of destructive fires.

This proposed measure aims to establish fire stations and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in
all local government units (LGUs). Likewise, fire trucks and similar equipment shall be
purchased to effectively respond to fire alarms in both the financial districts and residential areas
by making the capacity to navigate small roads and thoroughfares in densely populated urban
centers, In addition, trauma units in public hospitals will be upgraded, and fire personnel as well
as fire volunteers will be trained using the state-of-the-art equipment for fire prevention and
suppression,

In view of the foregoing reasons, the expeditious approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
2728

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
ORDAINING THE MODERNIZATION OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION

(BFP)
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Fire Protection
Modernization Act of 2016."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.
Protection (BFP), ensure public safety through the prevention of and suppression of all kinds of

tis the policy of the State to develop the Bureau of Fire

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 modem
equipment shall constitute the main thrust of the Fire Protection Modernization Program.

SEC. 3. Fire Protection Modernization Program. - The Vire Protection Modernization
Program shall consist of the following, for implementation over a three year (3) 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;

©) Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within the BFP such
as but not limited to; high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircrafVairport 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.

SEC. 4. Special Provident 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.

SE

Fire Protection Modernization Program is hereby appropriated from the following sources:

5. Appropriation. - The amount of Eight Billion Pesos (P8,000,000,000.00) for the

4) P2.5 Billion from the income of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices

b) PI Billion from the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation
(PAGCOR); and

c) P4.5 Billion to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year immediately
preceding the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 6, Multi-Year Contracts or Other Contractual Arrangement, ~ The Secretary of
Interior and Local Government may, subject to the approval of the President, under 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, lease-purchase
agreements, or other contractual agreements with local or foreign suppliers/ contractors in the

implementation of this Act.

SEC. 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 Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall, as far as feasible,
incorporate in cach contract agreement special foreign exchange reduction schemes such as
barter, counter-trade, in-country manufacture, co-production, build-operate-transfer (BOT), or

other innovative arrangements or combinations thereof.


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SEC, 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the
approval of this Act, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government 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 vehicles crafis of various
types, communication equipment, facilities, and other support equipment will be equitably
distributed to the different fire units for the better realization of the envisioned objectives of this
Act.

SEC. 9. Annual Reports. - The Chief Fire Marshall shall submit to the President and
Congress, through the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, 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.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall

continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 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.

SEC, 12. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,