FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The increased economic activity in the country has set aside safety standards and 
prevention measures that could prevent, mitigate and lessen the harm of potential i,ndustrial and 
residential accidents like fire, 
Republic Act No, 6975 mandated the Bureau of Fire protection to ensure public safety 
through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, enforce the Fire Code, 
investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaints with the appropriate 
agencies, For operational and logistical efficiency, the BFP will have to implement a 
modernization program that would safeguard the populace from the hazards of destructive fires, 
The following goals should be realized (1) Fire stations and Emergency Medical Services 
(EMS) will have to be created in all local governleiit units; (2) fire trucks that can respond to 
buildings in financial districts and can navigate small roads and thoroughfares in densely 
populated urban centers will have to be purchased; (3) trauma units in public hospitals will have 
to be upgraded; (4) rescue hotlines promoted; and (5) fire personnel, as well as fire volunteers, 
will have to be trained to be state of the art in terms of fire prevention and suppression, I 
I This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular session. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENb.'W 
S. No. 1063 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATlON OF FIRE PROTECTION 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fire Protection Modernization Act". 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to develop the Bureau of 
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Fire Protection BFP), ensure public safety through the prevention of and suppression of all kinds 
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of destructive fires with the active support of the community, enforce Presidential Decree No. 
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1185, and further strengthen the local government capability aimed towards the effective 
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delivery of fire protection service and competent fire protection personnel. The acquisition of 
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modem equipment shall constitute the main thrust ofthe Fire Protection Modernization Program. 
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SECTION 3. Component. - The Fire Protection Modernization Program shall consist of 
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the following, for implementation over a three year period: 
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(a) Establishment of Fire protection Service (FPS) in all local government units with no 
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existing fire protection services; 
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(b) Upgrading of existing fire protection equipment and services; 
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(c) Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within the BFP such 
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as but not limited to: high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircraft/airport fires, ship fires, 
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chemical fires, disaster rescue services, emergency medical services and the like; and 
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(d) Establishment of training facilities including the hiring of internationally accredited 
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training consultants and advisers if experts of equal' qualification cannot be secured locally to 
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accelerate the personnel development program. 
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SECTION 4. Special Provident Fund. - A Special provident Fund shall be created under 
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the BFP solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits for members and scholarship for 
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dependents. 
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SECTION 5. Budget. - The amount of Eight Billion Pesos (P 8,000,000,000.00) for the 
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Fire Protection Modernization Program is hereby appropriated from the following sources: 
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a) P 3.5 Billion fi'om the 32.5% share of the Armed Forces ofthe Philippines 
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b) pursuant to Republic Act No. 7227, Section 8(1); 
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c) P 2.5 Billion from the income of the Philippine Lottery; 
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d) P 1.0 Billion from the income ofthe Philippine Amusement and Gaming 
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e) Corporation (PAGCOR); 
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f) 1.0 Billion to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year immediately 
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preceding the effectivity of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Multi-Year Contracts or Other Contractual Arrangement. - The Department of 
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Interior and Local Govermnent (DILG) may, subject to the approval of the President, provisions 
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of existing laws and regulations including those of the Commission on Audit and under such 
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terms and conditions favorable to the government, enter into multi-year contracts, 1 easeAease-
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purchase agreements or other contractual agreements with local or foreign suppliers/contractors 
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in the implementation ofthis Act. 
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SECTION 7. Special Foreign Exchange Reduction Scheme. - In order to reduce foreign 
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exchange outflow, generate local employment opportunities, and enhance technology transfer to 
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the Philippines, the DILG shall, as far as feasible, incorporate in each contract agreement special 
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foreign exchange reduction schemes such as barter, counter trade, in-country manufacture, co-
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production, build-operate transfer (BOT) or other iunovative arrangements or combinations 
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thereof. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
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approval of this Act, the DILG shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to 
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implement the provisions of this Act; Provided, that such implementing rules and regulations 
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shall ensure that the fire protection vehic!esicraft s of various types, communication equipment 
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and facilities, and other support equipment will be equitably distributed to the different fire units 
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for the better realization o€ the envisioned objectives of this Act. 
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SECTION 9. Annual Reports. - The Chief Fire Marshall shall submit to the president and 
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Congress, through the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Governments, an annual 
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report containing the process of the implementation of the Fire Protection Modernization 
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program as provided for in this Act. The Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall 
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submit to the President and Congress an annual report of the status of Fire Protection 
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Modernization Program Trust Fund as provided for by Section 4 hereof. 
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SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is 
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declared unconstitutional or illegal, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected 
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thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
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letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
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provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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