• 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS or THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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'14 
AUG 14 P5 :46 
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Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
ORDAINING THE MODERNIZATION OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION 
Explanatory Note 
The economic and human costs of fires are great. In 2012, the World Fire Statistics 
Commission (WFSC) estimated that the annual cost of fire losses around the world was I percent 
of global GDP. This is equivalent to billions of dollars in direct losses due to damaged property'. 
In the Philippines, the following most recent statistics provide a backdrop that fire 
accidents and incidents are a malaise to the country's development2; 
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On the avemge, for every Phpl million of the country's GDP, the Philippines lost to fire 
Php 437 in 2010 and Php 411 in 2011. 
1. 
In 2010, Region IV A (CALABARZON) was the biggest loser from fire incidents. The 
region suffered losses due to fire worth Php 1,402 for every Php I million of its gross 
regional domestic product (GRDP). Other regions that suffered the heaviest losses were 
CARAGA and ARMM. Region V (Bicol Region), on the other hand, suffered the least 
from fire incidents with an estimated loss in 2010 amounting to Php203 for every Phpl 
million it earned in its GRDP. Other regions with minimllm losses from fire per Php I 
million of GRDP were NCR and Region X (Northern Mindanao). 
2. 
In 20 II, Caraga recorded the highest amount oflosses from fire with Php 9,133 lost per 
Phpl million regional GRDP, followed by Region III and Cordillera Administrative 
Region (CAR). Meanwhile, Region V (Bicol Region) sllffered the least losses due to fire 
amollnting to Phpl24 for every Phpl million in its GRDP during the period, followed by 
MIMAROPA and Region II (Cagayan Valley). Looks like Bkol is the safest region in 
the ~hi1ippines fire-wise. 
3. During the period January to February 2012, Region III (Central Luzon), NCR and 
CARAGA posted the highest amount of fire-related damages, while Region II (Cagayan 
Valley), Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) and Region I (llocos Region) posted the 
lowest amount of damages due to fires. 
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For every 1,000,000 persons in the Philippines, an average of 3 civilians and firefighters 
in 2010 and 2 in 2011 died from fire-related causes. 
I. In 20 II, there were 219 fire-related fatalities among civilians and firefighters down from 
275 in 2010. 
1 www.pids.com. from the study Epidemiological Assessment of Fires in the Philippines, 201O~2013, by Dr. Gloria 
Nenita Velasco 
, Philippine Statistics Authority, Sunog, March 2012 


2. NCR had the highest nwnber offatalities for both years with 42 and 64 fatalities for 2010 
and 2011, respectively. CARAGA recorded the lowest number of 2 fire-related fatalities 
in 2010; for 20 11, it was ARMM that had the lowest with 3 fatalities. 
3. The highest recorded fire-related fatalities among civilians and firefighters in 2010 was in 
the 4th quarter when 88 fire-related fatalities was recorded, while, in 2011 the highest 
was recorded in the I st quarter with 70 fire-related fatalities. 
. 
With the information above, this legislation is submitted. 
The increased economic activity in the country has set aside safety standards and 
measures that could prevent, mitigate and lessen the harm of potential industrial and residential 
accidents like fire. 
Republic Act No. 6975 mandated the Bureau of Fire protection to ensure public safety 
through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, enforce the Fire Code, 
investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaints with the appropriate 
agencies. For operational and logistical efficiency, the BFP will have to implement a 
modernization program that would safeguard the populace from the hazards of destructive fires. 
With this legislation, the following goals should be realized: (I) fire stations and 
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will have to be created in all local government units; (2) 
fire trucks that can respond to buildings in financial districts and can navigate small roads and 
thoroughfares in densely populated urban centers will have to be purchased; (3) trauma units in 
public hospitals will have to be upgraded; (4) rescue hotlines promoted; and (5) fire personnel, as 
well as fire volunteers, will have to be trained to be state of the art in terms of fire prevention and 
suppression. 
Early enactment of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. 2359 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
'14 
AUG 14 P 5 :46 
ORDAINING THE MODERNIZATION OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fire Protection 
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Modernization Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to develop the Bureau 
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of Fire Protection (BFP), ensure public safety through the prevention of and suppression of all 
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kinds of destructive fires with the active support of the community, enforce Presidential Decree 
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No. 1185, and further strengthen the local government capability aimed towards the effective 
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delivery of fire protection service and competent fite protection personnel. The acquisition of 
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modem equipment shall constitute the main thrust of the Fire Protection Modernization Program. 
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SECTION 3. Fire Protection Modernization Program. - The Fire Protection 
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Modernization Program shall consist of the following, for implementation over a three year 
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period: 
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a) Establishment of Fire protection Service (FPS) in all local government units with no 
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existing fire protection services; 
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b) Upgrading of existing fire protection equipment and services; 
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c) Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within the BFP such as 
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but not limited to; high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircraft/airport fires, ship fires, 
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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 
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training consultants and advisers if experts of equal qualification cannot be secured 
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locally, to accelerate the personnel development program. 
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SECTION 4. Special Provident Fund. - A special provident fund shall be created under 
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the BFP solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits for members and scholarship for 
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dependents. 
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SECTION 5. Budget. - The amount of Eight Billion Pesos (P8,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) for the 
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Fire Protection Modernization Program is hereby appropriated from the following sources: 
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a) P2.5 Billion from the income ofthe Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; 
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b) PI Billion from the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation 
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(PAGCOR); and 
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c) P4.5 Billion to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year immediately 
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preceding the effectivity of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Multi-Year Contracts or Other Contractual Arrangement. - The 
2 
Secretary oflnterior and .Local Government may, subject to the approval of the President, under 
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provisions of existing laws and regulations including those of the Commission on Audit and 
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under such terms and conditions favorable to the government, enter into multi-year contracts, 1 
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ease-
purchase agreements, or other contractual agreements with local or foreign 
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suppliers/contractors in the implementation ofthis Act. 
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SECTION 7. Special Foreign Exchange Reduction Scheme. - In order to reduce 
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foreign exchange outflow, generate local employment opportunities, and enhance technology 
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transfer to the Philippines, the Secretary of Interior and Local Govemment shall, as far as 
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feasible, incorporate in each contract agreement special tl)reign exchange reduction schemes 
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such as barter, counter-trade, in-country manufacture, co-production, build-operate-transfer 
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(BOT), or other innovative arrangements or combinations thereof. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
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approval of this Act, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall promulgate the rules 
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and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act; Provided, that such 
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implementing rules and regulations shall ensure that the fire protection vehicles crafts of various 
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types, communication equipment, facilities, and other support equipment will be equitably 
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distributed to the different fire units for the better realization of the envisioned objectives of this 
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Act. 
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SECTION 9. Annual Reports. - The Chief Fire Marshall shall submit to the president 
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and Congress, through the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, an arrnual report 
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containing the process of the implementation of the Fire Protection Modemization program as 
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provided for in this Act. The Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall submit to the 
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President and Congress an annual report of the status of Fire Protection Modernization Program 
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Trust Fund as provided for by Section 4 hereof. 
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SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall 
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continue to be in full force aud effect. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 12. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after its complete 
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,