Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  3871   
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.  
______________________________________________________________________________  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), as the primary agency mandated to 
prevent and suppress destructive fires, conduct fire investigations, and 
undertake emergency medical and rescue services, is central to the country's 
public safety infrastructure. With the operational expansion of the Bureau 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act of 2021, it 
has become imperative to align its internal systems, particularly its rank 
classification and organizational structure with its broadened scope of 
responsibilities. 
At present, Sections 58 and 59 of Republic Act No. 6975 or the 
"Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990" remain the 
governing provisions for the BFP's rank and organizational framework. However, 
these sections have not been meaningfully updated to reflect the Bureau's 
growing complexity and evolving operational demands. The lack of a fully defined 
vertical command structure, modernized career pathways, and functional 
decentralization at the regional and field levels continues to hinder the effective 
implementation of the Bureau's modernization. 
This legislative measure seeks to amend the said provisions by 
establishing a rationalized and professionalized rank classification system for all 
BFP uniformed personnel. The bill adopts a tiered structure with clear lines of 
authority across the national, regional, provincial, and station levels of the 
Bureau, ensuring that leadership and responsibility are well-aligned with field 
operations. The proposed rank system maintains the Bureau's civilian identity, 
using traditional rank nomenclature (Fire 
August 20, 2025
12:44 pm


Officer 1 to Fire Director General), instead of adopting military equivalents, in 
recognition of the distinct role and culture of the fire service. 
This measure is substantially aligned with the legislative intent of Senate 
Bill No. 2586 of the 19th Congress, which proposed a unified and rational rank 
classification system across all uniformed Bureaus under the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government (DILG). However, this bill departs from that 
measure in two significant respects: first, by maintaining the civilian character 
of BFP ranks; and second, by amending the enabling statute of the Bureau, RA 
6975, rather than RA 9263. 
The proposed amendments also outline key positions and command 
structure across all levels of the Bureau, allowing for clearer delineation of 
responsibilities, functional oversight, and internal mobility. These structural 
changes are designed to enhance the delivery of fire protection services 
nationwide, promote career development, and strengthen leadership across 
operational units. 
This proposed legislation represents the institutional intent of the Bureau 
of Fire Protection, developed through close consultation and consensus among 
its various Directorates. It is a product of a unified effort within the Bureau to 
update and strengthen its internal governance in support of its modernization 
and professionalization mandate. 
REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  3871   
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.  
______________________________________________________________________________  
"AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 58 AND 59 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1990" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known as the "BFP Organizational 
Strengthening and Rank Classification Act of 2025." 
Sec. 2. Section 58 of Republic Act No. 6975 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Section 58. Rank Classification. 
For purposes of clarity of command and responsibility, and for the 
effective and efficient administration, supervision, and control of the 
Bureau of Fire Protection, the rank classification of the members of the 
Bureau shall be as follows: 
1. Fire Director General
2. Fire Deputy Director General
3. Fire Director
4. Fire Chief Superintendent
5. Fire Senior Superintendent
6. Fire Superintendent
7. Fire Chief Inspector
8. Fire Senior Inspector
9. Fire Inspector
10.Senior Fire Officer IV
11.Senior Fire Officer III
12. Senior Fire Officer II


13. Senior Fire Officer I 
14. Fire Officer III 
15. Fire Officer II 
16. Fire Officer I 
 
The rank classifications herein provided shall be used for all purposes 
related to command, promotion, and other career-related advancements of 
personnel in the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as for the general supervision 
and effective response to emergencies and disasters. The rank structure shall be 
reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with the operational needs of the 
Bureau." 
 
Sec. 3. Section 59 of Republic Act No. 6975 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
 
"Section 59. Key Positions. 
 
The head of the Fire Bureau with the rank of Fire Director General 
(FDG) shall have the position title of Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection. 
He/she shall be assisted by 2 deputy chiefs, one (1) for Administration and 
one (1) for Operations, both with the rank of Fire Deputy Director General 
(FDDG). All of whom shall be appointed by the President upon 
recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG from among the qualified 
officers with at least the rank of Fire Chief Superintendent (FCSUPT) in 
the service: Provided, that in no case shall any officer who has retired or 
is retirable within six (6) months from his/her compulsory retirement age 
be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau, as the case may be, Provided, 
further, that the Chief of the Fire Bureau shall serve a tour of duty not to 
exceed three (3) years: Provided, however, that in times of war or other 
national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such 
tour of duty. 
 
At the national headquarters, with the rank of Fire Deputy Director 
General (FDDG), shall have the position title of Chief Directorial Staff (CDS), who 
shall be assisted by the Directors of the various Directorates in the National 
Headquarters (NHQ), each with the rank of Fire Director. 
 
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall construct, establish, operate, 
and maintain Regional Headquarters in each administrative region of the 
country. Each Regional Headquarters shall be headed by a Regional Director, 
who shall be assisted by the following officers: The Deputy Regional Director for 
Administration, the Deputy Regional Director for Operations, and the Regional 
Chief of Staff. 
 
National Capital Region (NCR) shall be headed by a Regional Director with 
the rank of Fire Director, the BFP shall establish District Headquarters, each 
headed by a District Director with the rank of Fire Chief Superintendent. Each 
district shall have subordinate Fire Stations that shall be headed by a City 


Director with the rank of SSUPT, City Fire Chief with the rank of SUPT, or a 
Station Commander with the rank of Fire Chief Inspector depending on the local 
government unit's classification. 
 
At the provincial level, the BFP shall establish a Provincial Headquarters 
headed by a Provincial Director. The Provincial Director shall be responsible for 
implementing the Bureau's policies, plans, and programs, as well as monitoring, 
evaluating, and coordinating fire service operations across all cities and 
municipalities within the province 
Fire Stations in Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCS) shall be headed by a City 
Director with the rank of Fire Senior Superintendent (FSSUPT).  
 
In other cities and municipalities, fire stations shall be headed by a City 
Fire Chief with the rank of Fire Superintendent (FSUPT) or a Municipal Fire Chief 
with the rank of Fire Chief Inspector (FCINSP) respectively, as appropriate based 
on the local government unit's classification. 
 
Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of Republic Act No. 6975, as 
amended by Republic Act No. 9263 otherwise known as the "Bureau of Fire 
Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act 
of 2004", shall remain in full force and effect, except those specifically pertaining 
to rank reclassification and organizational structure of the Bureau of Fire 
Protection, which are hereby amended or modified accordingly by this Act. Any 
other laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 5. Transitory Provisions. - In view of the amendments to Sections 58 
and 59 of Republic Act No. 6975, the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) shall implement necessary transitions and adjustments 
within the Bureau of Fire Protection, including the reclassification of positions 
and ranks within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of the 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), in consultation with the Bureau of Fire 
Protection and Civil Service Commission, shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of 
this Act to ensure the proper implementation of the provisions herein 
 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,