REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No, 8881

Introduced by: Rep. GREG G. GASATAYA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The ideal number of firefighters according to the ratio being practiced by the BEP is 1
fireman for every 2,000 population, which means that the BEP needs about $0,000 personnel,
since as of this date, the country has an estimated 100 million population. However, at present,
the BFP is composed of 18,769 firefighters only, which has a shortfall of 31,231 personnel.
Therefore, our regular firefighting force all over the country in undermanned. There are 12 to 13
fire stations and fire sub-stations for every 1 million people in the country in 2010-2011. On the
average, each fire station/sub-station in the Philippines responded to 9 fire incidents in 2010 and
7 fire incidents in 2011, or less than one fire incident per month according to the BEP. This
unfortunate situation brings about initiative from volunteer fire brigades and civic organizations
to provide valued reinforcement with selfless regard to their own safety; such volunteerism
deserves to be honored and appreciated by the government.

It is with that intention that 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 who are at times injured and harmed in the line of
their duties, It is also necessary to give hospitalization benefits to those who are seriously hurt
and incapacitated. To further recognize their dedication and selfless service, the volunteer
casualties shall be accorded burial honors similar to that of regular firefighters of the BFP.

As such, the approval of this Bill is eamestly sought.

REP. GREG G. GASATAYA
Lone District, Bacolod City


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Manila

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
House Bill No. (8881

Introduced by: Rep. GREG G. GASATAYA.

AN ACT GIVING SPECIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS TO

IGHTERS 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 the House of Representatives in Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Volunteer Firefighters Act of
2016”.

SECTION 2. Definition of Term:
refer to and/or mean as hereunder defined:

r purposes of this Act, the following terms shall

a. “Volunteer Firefighter” refers to a member of a duly recognized fire brigade or civic
organization, or a member of a barangay fire brigade, who voluntarily risks his life
for the protection and safety of others during conflagration or calamities.

b. “Duly recognized Fire Brigade and Civie Organization” refers to a properly organized
private fire brigade, accredited with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
registered with the Bureau of Fire Protection including barangay fire brigades
recognized and trained by the said Bureau.

c. “Special Assistance and Benefits” refers to financial benefits including
hospitalization and/or funeral benefits in favor of a deceased, incapacitated, or injured
firefighter.

SECTION 3. 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 in the line of his duty.


CTION 4. 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).
Such 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 the donations from charitable institutions to the
government. Provided that, within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, these funds shall
constitute the initial reserve fund for its purpose.

ECTION 5. In the event when a volunteer firefighter is wounded or injured in the
process of performing his duties, the government, through the Special Volunteer Firefighters’
Fund, shall provide medical care in any government hospitals. The extent of which shall be
determined by the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

SECTION 6, In cases of death of a volunteer firefighter while in the line of duty, his
compulsory heirs, as provided under Article 887 of the New Civil Code, shall receive an amount
as determined by the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act.

SECTION 7. The Bureau is responsible for the delivery of the amount to the heirs of the
deceased firefighter.

SECTION 8. The deceased firefighter shall be given the same burial honors accorded to
a regular firefighter of the Bureau. It is to be supervised by the Bureau in coordination with the
duly recognized fire brigade or organization concerned.

TION 9. The Bureau shall promulgate the necessary Implementing Rules and
Regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.

SECTION 10. 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.

TION 11, All other laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED,

REP. GREG G. GASATAYA
Lone District, Bacolod City