‘ Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 9404

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF FIRE PROTECTION AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fire is the bane of urban centers. As cities and municipalities become more congested
and economic activity increases, fire hazards also become more pronounced, endangering the
lives and properties of the inhabitants. It is therefore essential for any locality to be prepared
at all times for this eventuality,

Republic Act No. 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 ensures
public safety, promote economic development through the prevention and suppression of all
Kinds, of destructive fires, and promote the professionalization of the fire service as a
profession. Towards this end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules and regulations to ensure
adherence to standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability in the
fire protection and prevention service

This bill seeks to establish fire stations and Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
in all local government units. It shall modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) by
providing the agency with state-of-the-art equipment to upgrade its capability to suppress all
kinds of destructive fires. BFP personnel will also undergo training programs under the
tutelage of internationally accredited training consultants and advisers, in the absence of local
experts, to fast track the development of BFP personnel in terms of know-how and technical
expertise.

By ;ALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,__ 3404

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF FIRE PROTECTION AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known and cited as the “Fire Protection
Modernization Act of 2019”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to develop the Bureau of
Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure public safety through the prevention of and suppression of all
kinds of destructives fires with the active support of the community, enforce the Presidential
Decree No. 1185 and further strengthen local government capability aimed towards the
effective delivery and competent fire protection personnel. The acquisition of modern
equipment shall constitute the main thrust of the Fire Protection Modernization Program.

SEC. 3. Component. The Fire Protection Modernization Program, for implementation

over a three (3) year period, shall consist of the following:

A) Establishment of Fire Protection Services (FPS) in the local government units with
no existing fire protection services;

B) Upgrading of existing fire protection services;

C) Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within the BFP to
respond to situations such as, but not limited to, high-rise building fires, forest fires,


aircrafvairport fires, ship fires, chemical fires, disaster rescue, emergency, and
medical operations; and

D) Establishment of training facilities, including the hiring of internationally

accredited training consultants and advisers, in the absence of local experts, in order
to accelerate the human resources development program.

SEC. 4. Special Provident Fund. A special Provident Fund shall be created under the
BFP solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits of the members and scholarship
programs for their dependents

SEC. 5. Budget. The amount of Eight Billion Pesos (P8,000,000,000.00) for the Fire
Protection Modernization Program is hereby appropriated from the following sources:

A) P3.5 Billion — from the thirty-two and five tenths percent (32.5%) share of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines pursuant to Sec. 8 (1) of Republic Act No. 7227;

B) P2.5 Billion — from the income of Philippine Lottery;

C) P1.0 Billion — from the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming

Corporation (PAGCOR); and

D) P1.0 Billion — to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year

immediately preceding the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 6. Multi-Year Contracts or Other Contractual Arrangement. For the proper
implementation of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) may,
subject to the approval of the President, the provisions of existing laws and regulations
including those of the Commission on Audit, and under such terms and conditions favorable
to the Government, enter into multi-year contracts, donations, lease/lease-purchase agreements
or other contractual agreements or other contractual agreements with local or foreign
suppliers/contractors.

SEC. 7. Special Foreign Exchange Program Reduction Scheme. In order to reduce
foreign exchange outflow, generate local employment opportunities, and enhance technology
transfer to the Philippines, the DILG shall, as far as practicable, incorporate in each
contract/agreement special foreign exchange reduction schemes such as barter, counter trade,
in-country manufacture, co-production, built-operate transfer (BOT), or other innovative
arrangements or combinations thereof.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within thirty (30) days from the
approval of this Act, the DILG shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this Act: Provided, That such implementing rules and regulations
shall ensure that the fire protection vehicles/crafts of various types, communication equipment


and facilities, and other support equipment will be equitably distributed to the different fire
units.

SEC. 9. Annual Reports. The Chief Fire Marshal shall submit to the President and
Congress, through the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, an
annual report on the implementation of the Fire Protection Modernization Program as provided
for under this Act.

The Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall submit to the President and
Congress an annual report on the status of the Fire Protection Modernization Program as
provided in Section 4 hereof.

SEC. 10. 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.

SEC. 11. 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. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,