Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“5533

HOUSE BILL NO. __

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero and Enrico A. Pineda

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is an agency of the Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) responsible for implementing national policies
related to Firefighting and fire prevention as well as implementation of the
Philippine Fire Code (PD 1185). which has been repealed and replaced by the
New Fire Code of the Philippines (RA 9514).

Formerly known as the Integrated National Police Fire Service, the BFP is in
charge of the administration and management of municipal and city fire and
emergency services all over the country.

The BFP traces its roots from the defunct Constabulary Fire Protection Bureau,
then later PC-INP Office of Fire Protection Service.

The agency was founded on January 29, 1991, pursuant to the provisions of
Republic Act 6975, which established the Department of Interior and Local
Government,

The Bureau now is in charge of management, administration, and the
implementation of fire and emergency services all over the country.

This House Bill seeks to promote the holistic development for all the operational
and maintenance programs to foster fire security and fire prevention services,
provide additional funding and to promote the professionalization of the fire
service as a profession.


a
Eames) provar6f this bill is hereby requested.

MICHAEf'L. ROMERO Ph.D Rou PINEDA

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5533

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Honorable Michael L, Romero and Enrico A. Pineda

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE BUREAU OF FIRE
PROTECTION (BFP), ASSURING CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS, TO
PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR FIRE SAFETY IN THE FIRE
PROTECTION AND FIRE PREVENTION SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1, Title — This Act shall be known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection
Development Act of 2017.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - | js the policy of the State to ensure
public safety and 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 hereby provide a separate authorize funding of Five
hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) to evolve and implement a


comprehensive national program to meet the fire security and fire safety related
needs and to maintain the continuity of its mandate.

SECTION 3. Appropriations — The amount of Five hundred million pesos
(P500,000,000.00) necessary to cary out the purposes of this Act shall be
included in the annual budget of the implementing agency in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) of the year following its enactment into law and every
year thereafter.

The state shall hereby authorize the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to re-
align its appropriations, in the current year of the date of the effectivity of this
Act to conform with its mandate and requirements.

SECTION 4. Other Funding and Sources of Income:

(a) To support the manpower, infrastructure and equipment needs of the
fire service of the BFP. such amount as may be necessary to attain the
objectives of the Fire Code shall be appropriated and included in the
annual appropriation of the BFP.

(b) To partially provide for the funding of the fire service the following
foxes and fees which shall accrue to the General Fund of the National
Government, are hereby imposed:

(1) Fees to be charged for the issuance of certificates, permits
and licenses as provided for in Section 7 of RA9514 (a) hereof:

(2) One-tenth of one per centum (0.1%) of the verified
estimated value of buildings or structures to be erected, from
the owner thereof, but not to exceed fifty thousand
(P50,000.00) pesos, one half to be paid prior to the issuance


of the building permit, and the balance, after final inspection
and prior to the issuance of the use and occupancy permit;

(3) One-hundredth of one per centum (0.10%) of the assessed
value of buildings or structures annually payable upon
payment of the real estate tax. except on structures used as
single family dwellings;

(4) Twoper centum (2%) of all premiums, excluding re-
insurance premiums for the sale of fire, earthquake and
explosion hazard insurance collected by companies, persons
or agents licensed to sell such insurances in the Philippines:

(5) Two per centum (2%) of gross sales of companies, persons
or agents selling fire fighting equipment, appliances or
devices, including hazard detection and warming systems;
and

(6) Two per centum (2%) of the service fees received from
fire, earthquake, and explosion hazard reinsurance surveys
and post loss service of insurance adjustment companies
doing business in the Philippines directly through agents.

SECTION 5. Collection of Taxes, Fees and Fines - All taxes, fees and fines
provided in this Code, shall be collected by the BFP.

Provided, That twenty percent (20%) of such collection shall be set aside
and retained for use by the city or municipal government concerned, which
shall appropriate the same exclusive for the use of the operation and
maintenance of its local fire station, including the construction and repair of fire
station:


Provided, further, That the remaining eighty (80%) shall be remitted to the
National Treasury under a trust fund assigned for the modernization of the BFP.

SECTION 6. Assessment of Fire Code Taxes, Fees and Fines - The
assessment of fire code taxes, fees and fines is vested upon the BFP. The BFP
shall, subject to the approval of the DILG, prescribe the procedural rules for such
purpose.

SECTION 7. Collection and Assessment of Local Taxes, Fees and Fines -
The collection and assessment of taxes, fees and fines as prescribed in the Local
Government Code, except those contained in this Act. shall be function of the
concerned local government units.

SECTION &. Use of Income Generated from the Enforcement of the Fire
Code - The Chief, BFP is authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG), to use the income generated under
the Fire Code for procurement of fire protection and fire fighting investigation,
fescue. paramedics, supplies and materials, and related technical services
necessary for the fire service and the improvement of facilities of the Bureau of
Fire Protection and abatement of fire hazards.

The BFP shall determine the optimal number of equipment, including, but not
limited to, fire trucks and fire hydrants, required by every local government unit
for the proper delivery of fire protection services in its jurisdiction.

In the procurement of fire fighting and investigation supplies and materials, the
Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall
evaluate, determine and certify if the supply to procured conforms to the
product standards fixed by the BFP.


For this purpose, the BFP shail submit to the Bureau of Product Standards a
detailed set of product standards that must be complied with in the
procurement of fire fighting and investigation supplies and materials within three
(3) months from the effectivity of this act.

SECTION 9. Monitoring the Implementation of the Fire Code and the
Amount of the Fees Collected. - The Chief, BFP shall, within three (3) months from
the effectivity of this Code, submit to the Secretary of the Interior and Local
Government for his/her approval, a management tool or mechanism that
would ensure effective monitoring of the enforcement of the Fire Code to
include the amount of Fire Code fees collected.

SECTION 10. Periodic Reports - The BFP shall submit periodic reports on its
findings and make recommendations on actions to be taken by Congress and
Senate and the appropriate department, and in order to cary out the
objectives and mandates of this Act.

SECTION 11. Automatic Review - Every three (3) years after the effectivity
of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be appointed
by the President shall review the policies and programs in the BFP and shall
make recommendations, based on its findings, to the President and to both
Houses of Congress.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. All laws. executive orders. issuances, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. |f, for any reason or reasons, any portion
‘or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining
provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.


SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,