FIFTEENTH CONGRESS of the )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
2 Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.__ 599

Introduced by : MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
Representative, 4" District, City of Manila

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Records at the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of the Department of Interior and
Local Government reveal that for 2006, a total of 8,823 fires were recorded nationwide or
an average of 24 reported incidents daily. The National Capital Region topped the list
with the most number of fire occurrences at 3,665, Region 4-A ranked second at 1,238,
followed by Region 6 at 803. The total amount of damages recorded at P3,203,838,834
and resulted to 867 casualties both firefighters and civilians.

In order to effect a meaningful reduction of the alarming fire losses, there is a
need to develop national consciousness and involvement of all persons in the prevention
and suppression of fires. To effectively implement all efforts to minimize the occurrence
of fires and their destructive effects, full financial, equipment and personnel support by
the government and the private sector is necessary.

To this effect there are 28 accredited fire volunteers in the country. But this is not
enough. Consistent with the policy of the state to ensure the autonomy of local
governments, there is a need to empower these LGUs to prepare plans and programs on
fire safety, prevention and suppression and evaluate implementation thereof,

This bill seeks to aid the LGUs in their quest for the immediate implementation of
their fire prevention and suppression programs by providing them available funds
through the 25% retention scheme that this measure is proposed to achieve.

Hence, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ATTY. MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID

Representative, 4" District, Manila


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS of the )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Regular Session

ND

HOUSE OF REPRESE!
House Bill No.

Introduced by : MA. THERESA B. BONOAN-DAVID
Representative, 4” District, City of Manila

AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 14 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1185,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

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

ION 1. Section 14 of Presidential Decree No. 1185, otherwise known as
the Fire Code of the Philippines is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 14. Collection of Taxes, Fees and Fines.- Alll taxes, fees and fines
provided in Section 13, hereof, shall be collected by the City or Municipal
surer esate for remittance to the National Treasury], PROVIDED
IVE (25%) OF ALL SUCH COLLECTIONS SHALL
HE CITY OR MUNICIPAL
WHICH SHALL APPROPRIATE THE
HE USE OF THE OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF ITS LOCAL FIRE STATION, INCLUDING 1
CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF FIRE STATION, PURCHAS!
FIRE TRUCKS, FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND OTHER DEVI
PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THE REMAINING SEVENTY-|
(75%) SHALL BE REMITTED TO THE NATIONAL TREASURY.

SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations - As the lead agency, the
Department of Interior and Local Government shall, in coordination with the Bureau of
Fire Protection shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this
Act within ninety (90) days after its effectivity.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause - If for any reason any section or provision of
this Act is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are liot effected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, decrees, or rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended
or repealed

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved.