REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 7101

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

When Republic Act No. 9263, also known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004", was enacted into law new and
more stringent requirements were imposed for those intending to join the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to professionalize
their ranks. RA 9263 was amended by RA 9592 last May 8, 2009 in order to adjust the
requirements to allow the retention of existing personnel of both the BFP and BJMP.

Although these legislations proved to be beneficial to the concemed agencies, the updated
standards pertaining to educational qualification and civil service eligibility have rendered it
difficult for many applicants to qualify for entry-level positions at the BFP, particularly those
aspiring to become Truck Drivers/Mechanics. This fact has resulted to fairly low employment
rate in the said agency.

This is contrary to the lofty intentions of our Constitution, which seeks, among others, to
enhance full protection to labor and to promote full employment and equality of employment
‘opportunities for all.

Therefore, in accordance to the policy of the State, this bill is being proposed to address this
issue by rationalizing the qualifications for the appointment to entry-level positions of the BFP,
while upholding professionalism in the said agency.

It is hoped that the passage of this measure will open up more opportunities for qualified
applicants who aspire to serve our country and our people as part of the uniformed personnel of
the Bureau of Fire Protection.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 710 1

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

AN ACT
CREATING THE POSITION/RANK OF FIRE TRUCK OFFICER (FTO) IN THE
BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION

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

SECTION I. Title of the Act. ~ This Act shall be known as the "The Fire Truck Officer
Act of 2018."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of
life, liberty and property and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by
all the people of the blessings of democracy.

The State shall likewise afford full protection to labor and promote fill employment and
equality of employment opportunities for all.

SEC. 3. — There shall be created the position and rank of Fire Truck Officer in the
Bureau of Fire Protection with the designation of Fire Truck Driver-Mechanic. For purposes of
promotion within the rank, a Fire Truck Officer can hold the Item of Fire Truck Officer 1
(FTO1), Fire Truck Officer 2 (FTO2) or Fire Truck Officer 3 (FTO3).

SEC. 4. Requirements and Qualifications. — No person shall be appointed as Fire Truck
Officer (FTO) in the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) unless he/she possesses the following
minimum qualifications:

a. A citizen of the Republic of the Philippines;
b. A person of good moral character;

c. Must have passed the neuro-psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests for the
purpose of determining his/her physical and mental health;

d. Must be at least a High School Graduate from recognized institution of learning;
¢. Must be a driver (NC3) and must possess a valid professional driver's license with
restrictions 1, 2 and 3;

£. Must be a mechanic duly certified by the Technical Education Skills and Development
Authority (TESDA) or by any private institution accredited by the latter;


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g. Must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving
moral turpitude;

h. Must be at least twenty one (21) years old but not more than thirty five (35) years of
age at the time of his/her appointment;

i, Must be at least one meter and sixty two centimeters (1.62m) in height for male and
one meter and fifty- seven centimeters (1.57m) for female: Provided, That a waiver for
height and age requirements shall be automatically granted to applicants belonging to the
cultural communities.

SEC. 5. Appointment of Fire Truck Officer of the BFP. ~ The appointment of Fire
Truck Officer 1 to Fire Truck Officer 3 (PTOI to FTO3) of the BFP shall be made by the
respective Regional Director of the BFP or by the Chief of the BFP for appointments in the
national headquarters, and attested by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

SEC. 6. Position and Designation. — Successful applicants shall have the entry position
as Fire Truck Officer | with the designation as Fire Truck Driver-Mechanic.

SEC. 7. Salaries and compensation. — The salaries and compensation of successful
applicants shall be Salary Grade 6 for Fire Truck Officer 1 (FTO1); Salary Grade 7 for Fire
Truck Officer 2 (FT02); and Salary Grade 8 for Fire Truck Officer 3 (FT03)..

SEC. 8. Mandatory Training. — As uniformed personnel of the BFP, Fire Truck Officers
shall undergo a 30-day mandatory training in accordance with the Program of Instruction (POI)
to be formulated by the National Fire Training Institute (NFT1).

SEC. 9. Opportunity for Promotions. — A Fire Truck Officer shall not be eligible for
promotion to Fire Officer 1 (FOI) unless he/she has complied with the minimum Qualification
Standard (QS) requirements set forth by RA No. 9263, as amended by RA No. 9592. However,
an FTO I shall be le for promotion to the next higher rank of FT02, and thereafter, to
FTO3, in accordance with the existing rules and regulations set by the CSC and criteria for
promotion to be established by the BFP.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. — The funds for the positions of FTO1 to FTOS created in the
staff of the BFP pursuant to this law shall be included in the General Annual Appropriation
(GAA) of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), for approval by Congress.

SEC. 11. Jmplementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), in coordination with the BFP, the CSC, the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) and the Department of Finance (DOF) shall, within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the
provision of this Act.


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SEC. 12. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not prejudice the validity and effectivity of the other provisions
not affected thereby.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the
country.

Approved,