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Republic of the Philippines 3
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _7357

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bureau of Fire Protection (‘BFP’) is one of the most undermanned agencies of
the government.! Its current manpower is below the ideal ratio of one (1) firefighter per two
thousand (2,000) population.? In fact, the actual number of firefighters in the country is
dismayingly described as “short by more than 100 percent.”>

This shortage in the number of not just firefighters but also fire trucks is augmented
by volunteer fire brigades.*As recognized by the Public Information Office of BFP-National
Capital Region ("NCR’), volunteer fire brigades are their agency's “force multipliers.”

As of March 2018, there are a total of 813 fire brigades with a total of 4,525 volunteer
firefighters in the entire NCR.° These are divided into 578 fire brigades with 10,034
volunteer firefighters and 235 barangay fire brigades with 644 volunteer firefighters.
Volunteer fire brigades even have more fire trucks and more firefighters than the BFP.§

Just like Fire Officers of the BFP, fire volunteers battle fires, aid in search and rescue
efforts, and provide emergency medical services. Needless to say, these volunteers also
put their own lives at risk in order to protect the public at large. They themselves are
seriously injured, or, worse killed, in the spirit of pure volunteerism. Their devotion is further
tested during this pandemic as these fire volunteers are also in the frontline together with
the Fire Officers of the BFP. Aside from battling fires and providing emergency medical
services, these fire volunteers also help ration water to areas without constant water supply.

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‘Tragedy

Maguya, Jonathan,

fires: Death and destruction in the

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« Interview with SFO 1 Gladdes H. Arreco, officer in charge of the BFP-NCR Public Information Offi
Mirror per article of Jonathan Maguya, “Tragedy of fires: Death and destruction in the Philippine
bhps://businessmirror.com,ph/2018/03/21/tragedy-of-fres-death-and-destruction-in-the-philippines/. (ast

accessed 2 August 2020).

Page 1 of 4

DATE: AUS 11 20dg,



Unlike Fire Officers, however, fire volunteers do not receive regular salaries. At best,
they only receive allowances or honoraria.

In recognition of the valuable role of fire volunteers in Philippine society, this legislation
seeks to require local government units ("LGUs") to provide fire volunteers with health
insurance from reputable private health maintenance organizations ("HMOs"). Through this,
our beloved fire volunteers will need not worry about their treatment or hospitalization should
they encounter harm during the performance of their dangerous activities. This legislation
also aims to strengthen the values and spirit of volunteerism among our Kababayans
especially during these trying times.

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

Ie

HON. ALLAN BENEDICT S. reves OY /—
Representative
3” District, Quezon City

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 7357.

Introduced By Representative ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

AN ACT REQUIRING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO PROVIDE FIRE VOLUNTEERS
WITH HEALTH INSURANCE FROM REPUTABLE PRIVATE HEALTH MAINTENANCE
ORGANIZATIONS (HMOs) AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1.Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the “Fire Volunteers Health
Insurance Act of 2020.”

SECTION 2.Coverage. - This Act shall cover all members of the Association of
Philippine Volunteer Fire Brigades, Inc. or any BFP duly accredited volunteer fire
brigades in the Philippines.

SECTION 3.Additional Health Insurance.- The private health insurance provided
in this Act shall be in addition to those already provided under Republic Act No. 9241 or
An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7875, otherwise known as “An Act Instituting A
National Health Insurance Program for All Filipinos and Establishing the Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation for the Purpose” and Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise
known as “An Act Instituting Universal Health Care for All Filipinos, Prescribing Reforms
in the Health Care System, and Appropriating Funds Therefor.”

SECTION 4. Sponsored Members. Fire Volunteers, for purposes of the
Philhealth registration and contribution, shall be considered as sponsored members. The
needed premium contributions for fire volunteers shall be fully borne by their respective
LGUs.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Fire Volunteers Health Insurance Fund- There is
hereby created a Fire Volunteers Health Insurance Fund that shall consist of
appropriations earmarked by the concerned LGUs purposely for the implementation of
this Act. Disbursements from the said Fund shall be subject to the usual accounting and
budgeting rules and regulations.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the appropriate government office

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or agency in coordination with all the stakeholders and covered establishments and
institutions.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative
orders, rules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 8.Separability Clause- If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

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