FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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8 ,JUL 21 P? 3 i 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
For the year 2007, an estimated 9,042 fire incidents were recorded by the 
Bureau of Fire Protection. These fire incidents led to casualties consisting of 201 
deaths and 590 injuries. Aside from the damage to human lives, however, the 
damage caused by fires to properties reached an astounding amount of PhP 2.38 
billion last year. This amount excludes losses sustained from social dislocation, 
cancelled business opportunities in terms of unemployment, destruction and 
pollution to the natural environment. 
Though these incidents are unexpected and most often, unintentional, they 
can be prevented or at least their effects lessened through proper safety measures 
and protection services. With the hope of addressing the significant danger faced by 
the populace from fires, this bill proposes to establish a program strengthening the 
effective delivery of fire protection services by way of greater local government 
capability and active community support. 
This bill seeks to establish a Fire Protection Modernization Program that will 
support the Bureau of Fire Protection in executing its mandate to ensure public 
safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires. 
Components of the modernization program shall include the acquisition of modern 
fire protection equipment and advanced training for personnel, and the establishment 
of local government unit based operation centers for operational and logistical 
efficiency. For these reasons, the prompt passage of this bill is earnestly 
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sought. 
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_--7 
I M R D  J. GORDON 
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Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
8 JUL 21 P3 ::!I 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION 
SERVICES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fire Protection 
Modernization Act of 2008." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to ensure public 
safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, and to 
strengthen the effective delivery of fire protection services to the public by enhancing 
local government capability and fostering active community support. The acquisition 
of modern equipment shall constitute the main thrust of the Fire Protection 
Modernization Program. 
Sec. 3. Components of Modernization. - The Fire Protection Modernization 
Program shall consist of the following programs to be implemented over a three-year 
period: 
(a) 
Establishment of Fire Protection Services in all local government units 
with no existing fire protection services; 
Upgrading of existing fire protection equipment and services: 
Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within 
the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for the management of high-rise 
building fires, forest fires, aircraftlairport fires, ship fires, and chemical 
fires; disaster rescue services, emergency medical services and the 
like; and 
(b) 
(c) 
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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 of the BFP. 
Sec. 4. Special Provident Fund. - A  Special Provident Fund shall be created 
under the BFP solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits of members 
and scholarship for their dependents. 
Sec. 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 (P 3,500,000,000) from the 32.5% share of the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines pursuant to Section 8(1) of Republic Act No. 
7227; 
P 2.5 Billion (P 2,500,000,000) from the income of the Philippine 
Lottery; 
P 1.0 Billion (P 1,000,000,000) from the income of the Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR); 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
1.0 Billion (P 1,000,000,000) 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 Arrangements. - The 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) may, subject to the approval of 
the President, the 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 or lease-purchase agreements or 
other contractual agreements with local or foreign suppliers or 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 DILG shall, as far as feasible, incorporate 
in each 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,'lmplemeniing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from 
the approval of this Act, the DlLG 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 or crafts of various 
types, communication equipment and facilities, and other support equipment will be 
equitably distributed to the different fire units for the better realization of the 
objectives of this Act. 
Sec. 9. Annual Reports. - The Chief Fire Marshall shall submit to the 
President and Congress, through the Secretary of the DILG, an annual report 
containing the' process of the implementation of the Fire Protection Modernization 
Program. 
The Secretary of the DlLG shall submit to the President and Congress an 
annual report of the status of the Special Provident Fund as provided for under 
Section 4 of this Act. 
Sec. IO. 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. 
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 15 days after its complete 
publication in two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved 
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