EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
cf tiji' flirciTtai'i)
20 SEP 15 AlO :38
S. No.
SENATE
1832
RECEi' 'TjO'"
(In substitution of Senate Bilis Nos. 204,947 and 1017)
Prepared by the Committees on Pubiic Order and Dangerous Drugs; Finance; Ways 
and Means; and Locai Government with Senators Go, Sotto, Reviila, Deia Rosa, 
Cayetano, Tolentino, and Angara as authors
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING AND MODERNIZING THE BUREAU OF FIRE 
PROTECTION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1990", PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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TITLE I
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TITLE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY
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SECTION 1. This Act shali be known as the "BFP Modernization Act of 2020."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the poiicy of the State to ensure
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public safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires,
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with the active support of the community.
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Toward this end, the State shall formulate plans and programs to enhance
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and modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection, with expanded capability, responsive to
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the demands of the times.


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TITLE II
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POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BFP
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SEC. 3. Section 54, Chapter IV of Republic Act No. 6975 is hereby amended
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to read as follows:
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Section 54. Powers and Functions. - [The-Fire Bureau-shall bo
responsible-for-the-provention and-supprcsslon-of-all-dGstruetive-fires
en-bu}ldln§S7-housGG-ond-othGr-structures, forest/ land transportation
VGhiclGS-and-GquipmGntT-shlps-or^essels-doc-ked-at-plGrs-or-wharves-or
onchorod-in ' major GGaportG/-pGtfeleunr>-lndustry ■■in5tQllotions>-planG
erashGS-and-othor ■ similar IncidentSr-as-WGlI-as-thG-GnforcGmGnt-of-thG
Firo-Gode-and-othor retatecHaws-
Tho- Fire Bureau shall-have-the-powGr to invostigatG-all causos of-fires
andHf-fiGeessary-file-the-proper-complaints-wIt-Ivthe^city or provincial
preseeuteFwho-has-jurisdiction-ovGr thc-casGr]-THE BUREAU OF FIRE
PROTECTION (BFP) or FIRE BUREAU SHALL HAVE THE
FOLLOWING POWERS AND FUNCTIONS:
(a) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREVENTION AND 
SUPPRESSION OF ALL DESTRUCTIVE FIRES ON 
BUILDING, HOUSES AND OTHER STRUCTURES, 
INCLUDING THOSE FOUND IN ECONOMIC ZONES, AGRO­
INDUSTRIAL ECONOMIC ZONES, FREE PORTS, AND 
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES, IT PARKS/CENTERS, 
TOURISM ECONOMIC ZONE, AND OTHER SIMILAR 
ENTITIES, FOREST, LAND TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES 
AND EQUIPMENT, SHIPS OR VESSELS DOCKED AT PIERS 
OR WHARVES OR ANCHORED IN MAJOR SEAPORTS, 
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY INSTALLATIONS, AIRPORTS, 
PLANE CRASHES AND OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS;


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(b) RESPOND TO DISASTERS, WHETHER MAN-MADE OR
NATURAL, AND RESPOND TO OTHER EMERGENCIES, 
INCLUDING 
RESCUE, 
EMERGENCY 
MEDICAL,
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HAZMAT), 
CHEMICAL,
BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR AND EXPLOSIVE 
(CBRNE) MATERIALS AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
(c) ISSUE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND 
PRESCRIBE STANDARDS, SCHEDULE OF FEES, FIRE 
SERVICE CHARGES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES 
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER RELATED 
LAWS;
(d) REQUIRE THE BUILDING OWNER TO SUBMIT PLANS AND 
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SAID BUILDING AND OTHER 
PERTINENT DOCUMENTS AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY 
BFP AND EVALUATE THE SAME TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE 
WITH REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514 AND OTHER APPLICABLE 
CODES AND STANDARDS. FOR THIS PURPOSE, A FIRE 
SAFETY EVALUATION CLEARANCE SHALL BE ISSUED AS A 
PREREQUISITE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE BUILDING 
PERMIT;
(e) INVESTIGATE ALL CAUSES OF FIRES AND IF NECESSARY, 
FILE THE PROPER COMPLAINTS VVITH THE CITY OR 
PROVINCIAL PROSECUTOR WHO HAS JURISDICTION 
OVER THE CASE;
(f) ESTABLISH REGIONAL OFFICE WHICH SHALL 
FORMULATE POLICIES, PLANS AND PROGRAMS OF THE 
BFP, AND MONITOR, EVALUATE AND COORDINATE THE 
OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE FIRE SERVICE 
UNITS AT THE REGIONAL LEVELS IN COORDINATION 
WITH THE CENTRAL OFFICE;


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(g) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN REGIONAL FIRE 
LABORATORY AND RESEARCH AND TESTING FACILITIES 
WITH COMPLETE EQUIPMENT FOR THIS PURPOSE;
(h) CONDUCT TRAINING OF ITS PERSONNEL AND OFFICERS 
INCLUDING FIRE VOLUNTEERS, FIRE SAFETY 
PRACTITIONERS AND FIRE VOLUNTEER 
ORGANIZATIONS, PERTAINING TO FIRE PREVENTION 
AND SUPPRESSION, INVESTIGATION, DISASTER 
PREPAREDNESS, RESCUE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, 
HAZMAT, CBRNE, AND OTHER OPERATIONS;
(i) CONDUCT MONTHLY FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS 
AND INFORMATION DRIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF 
THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG);
0) ENTER INTO A CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION FOR THE 
ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, POSSESSION, USE, 
ADMINISTRATION, LEASE, DISPOSITION, OR 
ACCEPTANCE OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY IN ITS 
NAME;
(k) REQUEST ASSISTANCE OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, OR ANY 
OTHER AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING 
GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND/OR CONTROLLED 
CORPORATIONS, IN EXERCISING ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTION, SUCH ASSISTANCE MAY INCLUDE THE USE 
OF THE AGENCY'S PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES UPON 
APPROVAL BY THE HEAD OF THE AGENCY CONCERNED;
(l) PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS THE PRESIDENT 
OR THE SECRETARY OF DILG MAY ASSIGN.
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TITLE III
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BFP MODERNIZATION PROGRAM
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SEC. 4. BFP Modernization Program. - The BFP, in coordination with the DILG,
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shaii estabiish and impiement the BFP Modernization Program geared towards the
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capabiiity enhancement of its personnei and acquisition of state-of-the-art fire
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prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation, emergency medicai and rescue
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services apparatus, which shaii consist of the foiiowing components:
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(a) Fire Protection Service - The modernization program shaii inciude the
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estabiishment of Fire Protection Service inciuding the estabiishment of rescue
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hotiines in ali iocal government units;
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(b) Force Restructuring and Organizationai Deveiopment - The BFP shaii deveiop
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the BFP into a compact, efficient, responsive and modern with the capabiiity
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to implement Republic Act No. 9514. Within ninety (90) days from the
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promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act, the
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BFP shall recommend and submit to the Secretaries of the DILG and the
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Department of Budget and Management the revised organizational structure
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and staffing pattern for officers and personnel of the BFP. The BFP shall
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design and establish a qualifications upgrading program for the BFP officers
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and personnel in accordance with the Civil Service Commission's rules and
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regulations;
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(c) Capability, Material, and Technology Development - The modernization
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program shall upgrade existing fire protection equipment and services and
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acquire of new equipment for fire protection: Provided, That the acquisition of


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new equipment shall be synchronized with the phase-out of uneconomical
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and obsolete major equipment and weapons systems in the BFP inventory;
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(d) Specialized Services Development - The modernization program shall
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establish specialized fire protection services within the BFP such as but not
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limited to high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircraft and airport fires,
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chemical fires, disaster rescue services, emergency medical services. It shall
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also Include establishment of a Search and Rescue Force and HAZMAT units in
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every Region and City, as well as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in every
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first to 3rd class municipalities and cities;
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(e) Human Resource Development - The modernization program shall include
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trainings for BFP personnel, and establish training facilities, hire
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internationally accredited training consultants and advisers if experts of equal
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qualification cannot be secured locally, to accelerate the personnel
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development program. A newly appointed uniformed personnel of the BFP
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shall undergo a Mandatory Training Program.
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SEC. 5. Submission to Congress. - Within one hundred eighty (180) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the BFP, in consultation with the Secretaries of the
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DILG, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Finance,
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shall submit the BFP Modernization Program to Congress.
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SEC. 6. Muiti-Year Contract and Other Contractuai Arrangement - (a)
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The BFP, pursuant to the BFP Modernization Program, projects and appropriations
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approved by Congress, may subject to the approval of the President, provisions of
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existing laws and regulations Including those of the Commission on Audit and under


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such terms and conditions most favorabie to the government, enter into a muiti-year
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contracts, iease, and iease purchase agreement;
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(b) For muiti-year contracts. Congress shaii, upon issuance of a multi-year
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obligational authority by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), make
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the corresponding appropriation for the ensuing fiscal years: Provldedf That the BFP
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and the DBM shaii issue the impiementing. guidelines to ensure consistency with
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the PNP Modernization Program and existing guidelines in the contracting of multi-
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year projects;
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(c) The Chief of BFP shall submit to Congress, through the Chairpersons of the
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Senate Committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Finance and the
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Chairpersons of the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and
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Appropriations, copies of these multi-year contracts and other
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agreements/arrangements to enable Congress to appropriate funds.
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SEC. 7. Period of Implementation, - The BFP Modernization Program shall be
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implemented over a period of three (3) years effective upon the date of the approval
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of this Act: Provided, That payment for amortization of outstanding multi-year
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contract, obligations incurred under the modernization program may extend beyond
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this period.
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SEC. 8. Appropriation, - The amount needed for the Initial implementation of
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this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the BFP.
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Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued Implementation of this
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Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


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TITLE III
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FINAL PROVISIONS
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SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the BFP and DILG, and other concerned government
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agencies and stakeholders shail formulate the necessary rules and regulations for
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the effective impiementation of this Act.
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act
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is deciared invalid or unconstitutionai, the sections or provisions which are not
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affected shali remain valid and subsisting.
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause.— Aii laws, decrees, ordinances, ruies,
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reguiations, other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
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hereby repealed or modified accordingiy.
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SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days
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after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,