REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
931

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN IL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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 implement 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
‘equipment 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,

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

Magdalo Para-Sa Pilipino Party-List


“SowMI AHRENS

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _931

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN IL

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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 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 modem
equipment shall constitute the main thrust of the Fire Protection Modernization Program.

SEC. 3. Component. - The Fire Protection Modemization Program, for
implementation over a three (3) year period, shall consist of the following:

A) Establishment of Fire Protection Services (FPS) in the 1,053 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 intemationally
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 (@ 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;

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, 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
contract/agreement 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 Modemization 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 Trust
Fund 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 ot
modified accordingly.


avons

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,