Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Housé'Bit No__ 1348

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Protection of life and property is a paramount duty of the government due to its
great impact on our economic and social progress. The country's economic gains and
prosperity are sometimes averted because of destructive fires that cause lives and
millions of properties.

The undermanned firefighting force is at being reinforced by members of
volunteer fire brigades and civic organizations all over the country. They play an
important role in suppressing and fighting conflagrations and most often save lives and
properties even to the extent of losing their own. Harry Lo, a volunteer fireman of the
Gandara Volunteer Brigade, deserves recognition and tribute for his heroic deed last
March 1, 1996 at the Quaipo blaze where he was hit by a burning wall that fell down
which caused his death. The respective fire brigade or organization where these
“heroes in time of peace” belong provides them the necessary benefits in such cases,
like insurance, hospitalization and financial assistance. However, such unselfish
volunteer service is not compensated, much more recognized by the government.

This bill, therefore, seeks to provide assistance and benefits to volunteer
firefighters of duly recognized fire brigades and organizations, regardless of nationality,
and members of barangay fire brigades trained by the Bureau of Fire Protection who
are killed or incapacitated while in the line of duty in suppressing or protecting the lives
and properties from fires. In recognition for their dedicated service and volunteerism,
these volunteer firefighters shall be granted financial assistance and hospitalization
benefits. A special fund, referred to as the Special Fund for Volunteer Firemen shall be
established in the Bureau of Fire Protection to serve this purpose. The amount
necessary to finance the Special Fund shall come from the savings of the Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and from the Bureau itself, the fire fund
collected by some local government units for the issuance of building permits, and from
charitable government institutions

In addition to the financial assistance, the deceased volunteer fireman shall be
accorded burial honors just like a regular fireman from the Bureau of Fire Protection.


The bill further encourages cooperativeness and stimulates the spirit of
volunteerism among citizens. In the end, the noble purpose is attained, to save more
lives and properties.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

———

ee en

AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.
2™ District, Province of Iloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

1346

House Bill'No.

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO, Ph. D.

AN ACT PROVIDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEER
FIREMEN OF DULY RECOGNIZED FIRE BRIGADES OR CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
WHO DIE OR BECOME INCAPACITATED WHILE PROTECTING LIVES AND
PROPERTIES DURING FIRES AND CONFLAGRATION, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 14. Volunteer firemen of duly recognized fire brigades or civic
organizations, regardless of nationality, who die or become incapacitated while
protecting lives and properties from destructive fires shall be entitled to special
assistance and benefits in addition to the financial assistance granted them by their
respective volunteer group.

SEC. 2. The term “volunteer firemen” as used in this Act shall refer to members
of a duly recognized fire brigade or civic organization, regardless of nationality, as well
members of barangay fire brigades who voluntarily offer themselves in providing service
of preventing and suppressing destructive fires from causing damage and loss of lives
and properties.

SEC. 3. “Duly recognized fire brigades or civic organizations” refer to duly
organized private fire brigades accredited with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and registered with the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as
barangay brigades trained and recognized by the Bureau.

SEC. 4. A Special Fund for Volunteer Firemen shall be established in the central
office of the Fire Protection Bureau under the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG). The amount necessary to finance this special fund be taken from
the savings of the Department and the Bureau itself, the fire fund collected by some
local government units for the issuance of building permits, and donations from
charitable institutions of the government: Provided, That the savings of the Department
and the Bureau, the proceeds of the building permits as fire fund collected by some
local government units, and donations from charitable government institution for one (1)
year following the approval of this Act shall constitute the initial fund reserve for this
purpose. Thereafter, the Fund shall be replenished or enhanced by the savings and
collections in the succeeding years.


SEC. 5. The special assistance and benefits referred to in Section 1 hereof shall
refer to financial and hospitalization benefits for the deceased, injured or incapacitated
volunteer firemen.

SEC. 6. In recognition for his heroic deed of saving lives and properties from
fires, compulsory heirs, as provided for in Article 887 of the Civil Code, of the deceased
volunteer fireman shall receive the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) from
the fund.

SEC. 7. Ifa volunteer fireman is injured or wounded or in any manner suffers any
injury or becomes incapacitated while suppressing or controlling a conflagration, his
hospitalization expenses shall be shouldered by the government through the Fund and
shall likewise receive the amount of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) as livelihood
assistance. A certification by the proper medical officer designated by the Chief of the
Bureau of Fire Protection is necessary for the payment of the aforesaid benefits.

After the payment of special assistance and benefits, the Chief of the Bureau of
Fire Protection shall submit a report to the Secretary of the Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG).

SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the of the Financial Officer of the Bureau of Fire
Protection to deliver to the beneficiaries of the deceased fireman the amount he is
entitled to receive from the Fund within three (3) days from receipt of a written
certification of the fact of death and other circumstances thereof by the President of the
duly recognized fire brigade or organization where is a member.

SEC. 9. The same burial honors accorded to regular firemen of the Bureau of
Fire Protection shall likewise be given to the deceased volunteer fireman to be
supervised by the Chief of Bureau of Fire Protection, in coordination with the duly
recognized fire brigade or organization concerned.

SEC. 10. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall strictly
implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 11. All acts, laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations
which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

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

Approved.