FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The increased economic activity in the country has set aside safety standards and prevention 
measures that will prevent, mitigate, lessen industrial and residential accidents caused by fire. 
Republic Act No. 6975 mandates the Bureau of Fire Protection to ensure public safety through 
the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, the enforcement of the fire code, 
and the investigation of all causes of fires, and if necessary, the filing of the proper complaints 
with the appropriate agencies. For operational and logistical efficiency, the Bureau of Fire 
Protection needs to effect a modernization program that will safeguard the populace from the 
hazards of destructive fires. 
This measure calls for the establishment of fire stations and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 
in all local government units. Through this legislation, fire trucks and similar equipments shall be 
punctual to effectively respond to fire alarms in both the financial districts and residential areas 
by making the capacity to navigate small roads and thoroughfares in densely populated urban 
centers. In addition, trauma units in public hospitals must be upgraded; and fire personnel as well 
as fire volunteers will be trained using state-of-the-art equipment$ for fire prevention and 
suppression. 
Passage of the measure is earnestly requested. 
AN$O~IO "SONNY*~'F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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S. NO. 
2000 
introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF FIRE PROTECTION AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be if enacted by the Senate und House qf Representutives of the Philippines in Congress 
ussembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Fire Protecfmn 
Modernizatzon Act of2008. " 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration ofpolicy. - It is the policy of the State to develop the Bureau 
of Fire Protection (BFP) ensure public safety through the prevention of and suppression of all 
kinds of destructive fires with the active support of the community; enforce the Presidential 
Decree No. 11 85 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 shall consist of 
the following, for implementation over a third-year period: 
A. 
Establishment of Fire Protection Services (FBS) in the 1,053 local government 
units with no existing fire protection services; 
B. 
Upgrading of existing fire protection services; 


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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, 
aircrawairport 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 (P 8,000.000,000.00) 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; 
P2.5 Billion - from the income of Philippine Lottery; 
P1.0 Billion - from the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming 
Corporation (PAGCOR); and 
P1.0 Billion - to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year 
immediately preceding the effectivity of this Act. 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
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 


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the Government, enter into multi-year contracts, lease/lease-purchase agreements or other 
contractual arrangements with local or foreign suppliers/contractors. 
SEC. 7. 
Special Foreign Exchange 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 
contracuagreement special foreign exchange reduction schemes such as barter, counter trade, in- 
country manufacture, co-production, build-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 Governments, an 
annual report on the implementation of the Fire Protection Modernization Program as provided 
for under this Act. 
The Secretruy of Interior and Local Government shall submit to the President and 
Congress an annual report on the status of the Fire Protection Modernization Program Trust Fund 
as provided in Section 4 hereof 
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SEC. 10. 
Repealing CZause . - 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. 
EflectiviQ. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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