Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session
gerca” 282

House

Introduced by Honorable Roilo Golez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The increased economic activity in the country has set aside safety standards and prevention
measures that could prevent, mitigate, lessen the harm of potential industrial and residential accidents such
as fire.

Republic Act No. 6975 mandated the Bureau of Fire to ensure public safely through the prevention
and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, enforce the fire code, end investigate all causes of fires, 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 hazard of
destructive fires.

Fire stations and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will have to be created in all local
government units; fire trucks that can respond to buildings in fnancial districts and can navigate small
foads and thoroughfares in densely populated urban centers will have to be purchased; trauma units in
public hospitals will have to be upgraded; and fire personnel as well as fire volunteers will have to be
trained to the state of the art in terms of fire prevention and suppression.

Passage of the measure is earnestly requested.



Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Ses,
329

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Roilo Golez

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF FIRE PROTECTION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION J Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Fire Protection
Modernization Act of 2010."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t 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 the Presidential Decree No. 1185 and further
strengthen local goverment capability aimed towards the effective delivery and competent fire protection
personnel. The acquisition of modem equipment shall constitute the main thrust of the Fire Protection
Modernization Program.

SEC, 3. Component . - The Fire Protection Modemization Program shall consist of the
following, for implementation over a third-year period:

A Establishment of Fire Protection Services (FBS) in the 1,053 local government units with
no existing fire protection services;

B. Upgrading of existing fire protection services;

C. __ Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within the BFP such as
but not limited to: high-rise building fies, forest fires, arcraftairport fires, ship fires, chemical fires, disaster
rescue services, emergency, medical services and the like.

D. _ Establishment of training facilities, including the hiring of internationally accredited training
Consultants and advisers if this experts of equal qualification cannot be secured locally to accelerate the
personnel development program; and


SEC. 4. ‘Special Provident Fund . - A special Provident Fund shall be created under the
BFP solely for retirement, disability, death benefit for members and scholarships for dependents.

SEC. 5. Budget. - The amount of Eight Billion Pesos (P 8,000.000,000.00) for the Fire
Protection Modemization Program is hereby appropriated from the following sources, to wit:

(a) P3.5 Billion - from the thirty-two and five tenths percent (32.5%) share of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines pursuant to Sec. 8 (1) of Republic Act No. 7227;

(b) P25 Billion - from the income of Philippine Lottery;

(6) P1.0 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.

SEC. 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 mult-year contracts, lease/lease-purchase agreements or other
contractual arrangements with local or foreign suppliersicontractors 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 contractiagreement special foreign
exchange reduction schemes such as barter, counter trade, in-country manufacture, co-production, build-
operate transfer (BOT or other innovative arrangements or combination thereof.

SEC. 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
vehiclesicrafts 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 envisioned objectives of this
Act.

SEC. 9. Annual Reports . -The Chief Fire Marshal 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 Modemization 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 the Fire Protection Modernization Program Trust Fund as provided for in
Section 4 hereof.


SEC. 10. — Repealing Clause . - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and all other
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 11.  Separability Clause. - if any part or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or
invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect,

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,