Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT  
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF FIREHOSE BOXES IN EVERY 
150SQM OF AREAS WITHIN BARANGAY SAN BARTOLOME OF DISTRICT 
V, QUEZON CITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State provides that it shall ensure public safety, promote economic 
development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds, of destructive 
fires as well as enforce all laws, rules, and regulations to ensure adherence to 
standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability in the 
fire protection and prevention service. 
As such, the Fire Code of the Philippines otherwise known as Republic Act 
(RA) 9514 was enacted as well as RA 11589, or the ‘Bureau of Fire Protection 
Modernization Act”, to ensure that the public is protected from fire-related 
incidents. 
In 2022 however, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported over 13,000 
fire incidents for the year, with instances notably high during the Christmas 
season due to fires caused by fireworks and firecrackers.  
A consultation with the BFP National Capital Region Director and the 
District V Fire Bureau officers revealed that many fire occurrences are not 
immediately stopped because firetrucks frequently cannot fit in narrow alleys in 
numerous densely inhabited areas of the Barangays. Meanwhile, these areas are 
usually rather prone to fires due to the use of lightweight and easily combustible 
building materials.  
To address the District firefighter’s predicament, this measure proposes 
the establishment of firehose boxes within 150sqm distance across Barangay 
August 2, 2023
12:26 pm
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San Bartolome, Quezon City. The firehose boxes in the barangay are a means of 
providing a quicker response in the event of fire incidents, particularly in 
neighborhoods with narrow alleys.  
The proposed measure not only intends to better public safety and disaster 
response at the barangay level but ultimately save precious lives. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT  
MANDATING THE INSTALLATION OF FIREHOSE BOXES IN EVERY 
150SQM OF AREAS WITHIN BARANGAY SAN BARTOLOME OF DISTRICT 
V, QUEZON CITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Fire-Proof Barangay 
San Bartolome Act”.  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.  It is the policy of the State to ensure public 
safety, promote economic development through the prevention and suppression 
of all kinds, of destructive fires, and promote the professionalization of the fire 
service as a profession. Towards this end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules, 
and regulations to ensure adherence to standard fire prevention and safety 
measures and promote accountability in the fire protection and prevention 
service. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following words and 
phrases shall be defined as follows: 
a. Firehose- a specialized high-pressure hose that carries water or other fire
retardants (such as foam) to a fire to extinguish it and is normally attached
to either a fire engine, fire hydrant, or portable fire pump;
b. Firehose box- a box that shall contain a firehose and shall be installed at
a conspicuous area within the barangays’ neighborhood;
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SECTION 4. Establishment of Firehose Boxes in Barangay San Bartolome, 
Quezon City. There shall be established a firehose box in every 150 square meter 
area in Barangay San Bartolome, Quezon City that shall be installed in 
conspicuous areas such as walls of dwellings or concrete walls of buildings. 
These firehoses shall serve as water pipelines for fire control and safety.    
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in 
coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and other relevant agencies and 
with the participation of the Sangguniang Barangay of San Bartolome, Quezon City, 
shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Funding. The amount needed for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the current year’s available appropriation of DILG. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules 
and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to, or inconsistent with, this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. 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,