SEN ENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
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“i j  
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U N
•19 
MAR 12 
P 2  3 5
SENATE
S. n o . 2 2 1 4
RECEi;LD&..
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV
AN ACT
PROMDING FOR REORGANIZATION AND REFORM OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE 
UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION, AMENDING 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9263 
AND OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Over the past few years, efforts to establish safety standards and prevention measures that will seek 
to avoid, alleviate, and reduce industrial and residential incidents brought about by fire, accident, 
and other tragedies have been neglected. Regrettably, the increasing necessity to ensure fire safety, 
disaster prevention, and emergency response has been ignored.
As a reaction to this, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to secure the people's lives and 
property against fire and other emergencies. This bill primarily aims to transfomi the BFP to become 
the main government agency responsible for the avoidance and elimination of all destructive fires, as 
well as the improved enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines and other related laws. The bill 
also suggests to grant the BFP the authority to investigate all causes of fires and the power to 
respond to all types of disasters and emergencies including rescue, medical, and other calamities.
Through the years, the BFP has developed from being an agency tasked to implement fire prevention 
laws, respond to and investigate fire emergencies to becoming an agency assigned to respond to 
medical emergencies and carry out rescue operations during disasters and other forms of tragedies. 
In addition to this, it has also been engaged in medical responses to both fire-related and non fire- 
related incidents.
The BFP has also been active on the aspects of disaster preparedness and response. Climate change 
has led to stronger and more destructive typhoons passing through the country. In response to this, 
the BFP has organized its units in the clearing of roads, emergency evacuation of families, and 
distribution of relief goods in areas which are massively damaged by the typhoons. The BFP is 
honored to affirm that it is the agency that had been at the forefront of the aftermath of the typhoon 
Yolanda tragedy, from its beginning to its conclusion, recovering cadavers and providing aid to the 
people through its inadequate resources.
As highlighted by the above-mentioned facts, there is an urgent need for a measure that will broaden 
the powers and functions of the BFP and increase its manpower. The said measure will boost the 
operational efficiency of the BFP and will address the evolving demand of the citizens for a fire and 
medical emergency and rescue services agency that can effectively and efficiently respond to the 
dangers of destructive fires, accidents, and other natural and man-made tragedies and other 
catastrophes.


The necessity to have additional firefighters has also been heightened by the constant expanding 
population of the country. As of the 2015 census, the Philippine population is already at 
100,981,437. Thus, considering that Section 5 of PD 1184 of 1977 necessitates that there should be 
one (1) fireman for every 2,000 population, there should be a toial of 50,491 firefighters in the 
frontline operations of the BFP as of 2015. However, at present, there are only a total of 8,238 
personnel who are working as firefighters which highlights the immense need to enhance the 
responding manpower along with the ranks of the officers and personnel.
Moreover, it is also worth noting that the BFP is among the unifonned services of the country which 
includes the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Amied Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the 
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), among others, whose highest ranks are all equivalent to a four-star 
general. However, unlike them, the highest ranking officer of the BFP is only equivalent to a two- 
star general. Therefore, taking into account the principle of equality, it is just appropriate that the 
officers of the BFP should be given a position which is at par with those of their counterparts from 
the PNP, AFP, and PCG.
In view of all of the foregoing reasons and considering that the BFP had proclaimed its 
responsibility of being dedicated in ensuring the avoidance and elimination of destructive fires, 
investigating its causes, enforcing the Fire Code of the Philippines and other related laws, and in 
responding to man-made and natural disasters and other emergencies despite the lack of legislative 
intervention, the necessity for additional manpower to conform to that growth of the mandate and 
the population and the need to have the BFP officers to be positioned equally with those of the 
officers of the other uniformed services have been clearly demonstrated. Hence, the passage of this 
bill is earnestly sought.
<NTONIO “SONNY”Jf. TRII
SONNY”JF. TRILLANES IV
Senator


SE\ EM EENTll COiNGRESS OF THE ) 
REPTBLIC OF THE PHIEIPPINES ) 
Third Rei;iilar Session 
)
' UT
; 
of 'I)- S’. :r-t- .r
•19 
MAR 12 
P 2  3 5
SENATE
S. No. 2214
RE€tw Dli-v;
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV
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AN ACT
PRO\ IDING FOR REORGANIZATION AND REFORM OF THE STRLCTL RE OF THE 
UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION, AMENDING 
CERTAIN PROMSIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9263 
AND OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Reorganization and Reform Act of 
the Bureau of Fire Protection of 2018."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to develop the Bureau of Fire 
Protection (BFP) and ensure public safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of 
destructive fires, investigation of its causes, enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines and 
other related laws, response to man-made and natural 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.
Toward this end, considering the expanded mandate and modernization of function and the 
increase in population, the State shall formulate plans and programs to enhance the BFP with 
expanded structure, capability and manpower particularly by upgrading the rank structure for it to be 
responsive to the demands of the times and to make the agency at par with those of the PNP, the 
AFP, and the PCG.
SEC. 3. Additional Powers and Functions of the BFP. - Section 54, Chapter IV, of RA 
6975 shall be amended as follows:
SEC. 54. The BFP shall be responsible for the prevention and suppression of all 
destructive fires on buildings, houses and other structures, including those found in economic 
zones including agro- industrial economic zones, free ports and special economic zones, it 
parks/centers, manufacturing economic zones, medical tourism 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, as well as the enforcement of


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the Fire Code of the Philippines and other related laws.
The BFP shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file 
the proper complaints with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the 
case. The BFP shall have the power to establish and maintain regional arson laboratories and 
research and testing facilities with complete equipment for this purpose.
Further, the BFP shall have the function of responding 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. In line with this, the BFP shall establish and 
maintain state-of-the-art apparatus and equipment to be used by the BFP in its emergency 
rescue, emergency medical, hazmat, and other operations.
Furthemiore, the BFP shall have the power to conduct trainings of its personnel and 
officers pertaining to fire prevention and suppression, investigation, disaster preparedness, 
rescue, emergency medical, hazmat, CBRNE, and other operations.
In consonance with the powers and functions of the BFP, the BFP may request the 
assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 
or any other agency of the government, including government-owned and/or-controlled 
corporations, in exercising its powers and functions.
The BFP, in pursuance of all the functions mentioned, shall have the power to enter 
into any contract or transaction for the acquisition, ownership, possession, use, 
administration, lease, disposition, or acceptance of real or personal property in its name.
Lastly, the BFP shall perform such other functions as the president or the secretary 
may assign.”
SEC. 4. Organization. -  Section 55, Chapter IV, of RA 6975 shall be amended as follows:
Section 55. The BFP shall have a National Headquarters, Regional Headquarters, 
Provincial Headquarters, District Headquarters, City and Municipal Fire Stations.
At the National Headquarters, there shall be an Office of the Chief, BFP assisted by 
other key offices which shall formulate the policies, plans and programs of the BFP; and 
monitor, evaluate and coordinate the operations and activities of the fire service operating 
units at the regional levels.
At the regional level, there shall be an office of the Regional Director which shall 
implement the policies, plans and programs of the BFP; and monitor, evaluate and coordinate 
the operations and activities of the fire service operating units at the provincial levels.


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At the provincial level, there shall be an office of the Provincial Director which shall 
also implement the policies, plans and programs of the BFP; and monitor, evaluate and 
coordinate the operations and activities of the fire service operating units at the city and 
municipal levels. In the case of large provinces. District Headquarters may be established, to 
be headed by a District Director.
At the city or municipal level, there shall be a fire station, each headed by a city or 
municipal fire marshal: Provided that, in the case of large cities, a District Headquarters with 
subordinate fire stations headed by a District Director may be organized as necessary.
SEC. 5. Establishment of Fire Station. -  Section 56, Chapter IV, of RA 6975 shall be 
amended as follows:
Section 56. Establishment of Fire Station. There shall be established at least one (1) fire 
station with adequate personnel, firefigliting facilities and equipment in every provincial 
capital, city and municipality subject to the standards, rules and regulations as may be 
promulgated by the Department. The BFP shall have the authority to acquire or purchase real 
property in all cities or municipalities for the establishment of fire central and sub-stations.
SEC. 6. Rank Classification. -  Section 58, Chapter IV, of RA 6975 shall be amended as
follows:
Section 58. For purposes of efficient administration, supervision, and control, the new 
rank classification of the members of the BFP shall be as follows:
RANK
SALARY GRADE
Fire General
30
Fire Lieutenant General
29
Fire Major General
28
Fire Brigadier General
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Fire Colonel
26
Fire Lieutenant Colonel
25
Fire Major
24
Fire Captain
23
Fire Lieutenant
22
Fire Master Sergeant
19
Fire Technical Sergeant
18
Fire Staff Sergeant
17
Fire Sergeant
16
Fire Corporal
14
Fireman First Class
12
Fireman
10


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SEC. 7. Organization and Key Positions. -  Section 3, of RA 9263 shall be amended as 
follows:
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Section 3. The Head of the BFP shall have the position title of Chief, BFP. The 
second officer in command of the BFP shall have the position title of Deputy Chief for 
Administration of the BFP. The third officer in command of the BFP shall have the 
position title of Deputy Chief for Operations of the BFP. The fourth officer in command 
of the BFP shall have the position title of Chief of Directorial Staff of the BFP, who 
shall be assisted by the directors of the directorates in the National Headquarters.
The 
BFP 
shall 
establish, operate, and maintain Regional Headquarters in each 
of the administrative regions of the country which shall be headed by a Regional Director. 
He/She shall be assisted by the following officers: Deputy Regional Director for 
Administration, Deputy Regional Director For Operations, and Regional Chief of Staff.
SEC. 8. Appointment of Uniformed Personnel to the BFP. - Section 4 of R.A. 9263 is 
hereby amended as follows:
Section 4. The appointment of the Unifonned Personnel to the BFP shall be effected in the 
following manners:
a) Fireman to Fire Master Sergeant -  Appointed by the respective Regional Director for 
the Regional Headquarters or by the Chief, BFP for the national headquarters, and 
attested by the Civil Service Commission (CSC);
b) Fire Lieutenant to Fire Lieutenant Colonel — Appointed by the Chief, BFP and 
attested by the CSC;
c) Fire Colonel -  Appointed by the Secretary upon recommendation of the Chief, BFP 
with the proper attestation of the CSC; and
d) Fire Brigadier General to Fire General - Appointed by the President upon 
recommendation of the Secretary.
SEC 9. Mandatory Training Program. -  All newly appointed uniformed personnel of the 
BFP shall undergo a Mandatory Training Program.
SEC 10. Qualification Standards in the Designation of Uniformed Personnel of BFP to 
Key Positions. -  Section 7 of R.A. 9263 is hereby amended as follows.
Section 7. No person shall be designated to the following key positions of the BFP unless 
he/she has met the required ranks herein provided:
1) Chief, BFP -  Should have the rank of Fire General;
2) Deputy Chief for Administration of the BFP, Deputy Chief for Operations of the BFP 
and Chief Directorial Staff of the BFP - Should have the rank of Fire Lieutenant 
General;


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3) Director of the Directorate of the National Headquarters -  Should have the rank of 
Fire Major General;
4) Regional Director (NCR) - Should have the rank of Fire Major General;
5) Regional Director (Other Regions) - Should have the rank of Fire Brigadier General;
6) Deputy Regional Director for Administration (NCR), Deputy Regional Director For 
Operations (NCR), And Chief Of Staff (NCR) - Should have the rank of Fire 
Brigadier General;
7) Deputy Regional Director For Administration, Deputy Regional Director For 
Operations and Regional Chief Of Staff (Other Regions) -  should have the rank of 
Fire Colonel;
8) District Director (NCR) - Should have the rank of Fire Brigadier General;
9) Provincial Director -  Should have the rank of Fire Colonel;
10) Highly Urbanized Cities outside NCR - Should have the rank of Fire Colonel.
1 l)City Fire Marshal (NCR) - Should have the rank of Fire Colonel;
12) City Fire Marshal (Other Regions) - Should have the rank of Fire Lieutenant 
Colonel;
13) Municipal Fire Marshal. -  Should have the rank of Fire Major.
SEC 11. Qualifications Upgrading Program. -  The BFP shall design and establish a 
qualifications upgrading program for the BFP officers and personnel in accordance with the Civil 
Service Commission rules and regulations.
SEC 12. Maximum Tenure in Position. -  The aggregate maximum tenure per position of 
BFP officers and personnel holding key positions is hereby prescribed as follows:
POSITION
MAXIMUM TENURE
Chief
four (4) years
Deputy Chief
four (4) years
Director of the Staff Services
four (4) years
Regional Directors
six (6) years
Provincial/City Directors
nine (9) years
Other positions lower than Provincial Director shall have aggregate maximum tenure of six 
(6) years. Unless earlier separated, retired or promoted to a higher position in accordance with the 
BFP Staffing Pattern, officers and personnel holding the above-mentioned positions shall be 
compulsorily retired at the maximum tenure in position herein prescribed, or at age fifty-six (56), 
whichever is earlier: Provided, that in times of war or other national emergency declared by 
Congress, the President may extend the Chief, BFP’s tour of duty: Provided further, that BFP 
officers and personnel who have already reached their maximum tenure upon the effectivity of 
this Act may be allowed one (1) more year of tenure in their positions before the maximum 
tenure provided in this Section shall be applied to them, unless they shall have already reached 
the compulsory retirement age of fifty-six (56), in which case the compulsory retirement age shall 
prevail.
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Except for the Chief, BFP, no BFP member who has less than six (6) months of service 
before reaching the compulsory retirement age shall be promoted to a higher rank or appointed 
to any other position.
SEC 13. Rationalized Promotion System. -  Within six (6) months after the effectivity of this 
Act, the BFP shall establish a system of promotion for unifonned and non-unifonned personnel of 
the BFP which shall be based on merits and on the availability of vacant positions in the BFP 
staffing pattern. Such system shall be gender fair.
SEC 14. Promotion by Virtue of Position. -  Any BFP personnel designated to any key 
position whose rank is lower than that which is required for such position but is qualified for 
promotion shall, after six (6) months of occupying the same, be entitled to a rank adjustment 
corresponding to the position: Provided, That the personnel shall not be reassigned to a position 
calling for a higher rank until after two (2) years from the date of such rank adjustment: Provided, 
further, that any personnel designated to the position who does not possess the established minimum 
qualifications therefor shall occupy the same temporarily for not more than six (6) months without 
reappointment or extension.
SEC 15. Establishment of Search and Rescue Force (SRE), Emergency Medical Services 
(EMS), and HAZMAT Units. -  In addition to the existing Fire Fighting Units, there shall be 
established a Search and Rescue Force (SRF) in each region and city, Emergency Medical Services 
(EMS) in every 1st to 3rd class municipalities and cities, and HAZMAT Units in each region.
SEC 16. Establishment of BFP Hospital or Burn Center. -  The BFP shall establish and 
maintain Central Hospital or Bum Center for the benefit of the BFP officers and personnel and their 
dependents.
SEC 17. Revised organizational structure and staffing pattern of the BFP. -  The Chief, 
BFP, within ninety (90) days from the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) 
of this Act, shall recommend and submit to the Secretary the revised organizational structure and 
staffing pattern for officers and personnel of the BFP, in accordance with the guidelines set forth 
herein and as provided in the IRR.
The revised organizational structure herein mentioned shall include all the offices of the 
BFP, the Fire Training Service, and the BFP Central and Regional Hospitals.
SEC 18. Transition. -  The provisions herein shall be effected within three (3) years after the 
effectivity of this Act.
SEC 19. Rules and Regulations. -  Unless otherwise provided in this Act, the Department in 
coordination with the BFP, shall promulgate mles and regulations for the effective implementation 
of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon their publication in two (2) newspapers 
of general circulation.


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SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and issuances, 
or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 21. 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. 22. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.