Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3663

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fires and natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes do not only cause great
damage to infrastructure but also inflict death and horrible injuries to people. Our valiant
men and women in the Bureau of Fire Protection are our frontliners in case these disasters
strike. It is a well-known fact, however, that our regular firefighting force all over the
country is undermanned, thus volunteer fire brigades and civic organizations provide valued
reinforcement, with selfless regard to their own safety, which volunteerism deserves to be
honored and appreciated by the government.

This bill seeks to provide financial assistance and benefits to volunteer firefighters of
duly recognized fire brigades or civic organizations and members of barangay fire brigades
trained by the Bureau of Fire Protection who are killed, incapacitated or injured while
protecting and saving properties and lives from disasters.

In recognition of their dedicated service and unselfish volunteerism, special financial
assistance and hospitalization benefits shall be provided for these volunteer firefighters. In
cases where these brave men and women fall in the line of their duties, they shall also be
accorded burial honors similar to that of regular firefighters from the Bureau of Fire
Protection.

‘As such, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

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REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 8663

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT
GIVING SPECIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTERS OF BARANGAYS, DULY RECOGNIZED VOLUNTEER FIRE
BRIGADES OR CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, WHO PERISH OR SUSTAIN INJURIES
WHILE SAVING LIVES OR PROPERTIES DURING FIRES OR ANY CALAMITY,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Volunteer Firefighters’ Special
Financial Assistance and Benefits Act of 2013”.

SEC. 2. A special financial assistance and benefits, in addition to any financial
assistance given by the volunteer fire brigade or civic group they belong to, shall be given to
a volunteer firefighter who perishes or sustains injuries while responding to his noble duties.

SEC. 3. “Volunteer Firefighter” as used in this Act refers to a member of a
duly recognized fire brigade or civic organization and a member of a barangay fire brigade
who voluntarily risks his life for the protection and safety of lives and properties during any
conflagration or calamity.

SEC 4, “Duly recognized Fire Brigade and Civic Organization” pertain to a
properly organized private fire brigade accredited with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and registered with the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as barangay fire
brigade recognized and trained by the said Bureau.

SEC. 5, The special assistance and benefits referred to in this Act refer to
financial benefits including hospitalization and/or funeral benefits in favor of a deceased,
incapacitated, or injured firefighter.

SEC. 6. A “Special Volunteer Firefighters’ Fund” shall be created in the Bureau of
Fire Protection central office under the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG). The special fund shall be funded by the savings from the DILG, the fire fund
collected by local government units for the issuance of building permits, and by donations



from charitable institutions to the government. Provided that, within one (1) year from
approval of this Act, these funds shall constitute the initial reserve fund for its purpose.

SEC. 7. In cases of the death of a volunteer firefighter while in the line of duty,
his/her compulsory heirs, as provided under Article 887 of the Civil Code, shall receive an
amount as determined by the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

SEC. 8. The Bureau of Fire Protection is responsible for the delivery of the amount
to the deceased firefighter from the fund to the compulsory heirs of the deceased firefighter.

SEC. 9. The deceased volunteer firefighter shall be given the same burial honors
accorded to regular firefighters of the Bureau of Fire Protection to be supervised by such
Bureau in coordination with the duly recognized fire brigade or organization concemed.

SEC. 10. Ifa volunteer firefighter is injured or wounded in the process of savings
lives and/or properties, the government, through the Special Volunteer Firefighters’ Fund,
shall provide medical care in government hospitals, the extent of which shall be determined
by the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

SEC. 11. The Bureau of Fire Protection shall promulgate the necessary
Implementing Rules and Regulations to implement this Act within sixty (60) days from its
effectivity.

SEC. 12. Any portion or provision of this Act which may be declared
unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions
hereof,

SEC. 13. All other laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,