Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL.No, 3925

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR REORGANIZATION AND REFORM OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE
UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE AND PROTECTION, AMENDING
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9263 AND
OTHER PURPOSE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill primarily seeks to transform the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to become the main
government agency responsible for the avoidance and elimination of all destructive fires, as
well as the improved enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines and other related laws.
The bill also suggests to grant the BFP the authority to investigate all causes of fires and the
power to respond to all types of disasters and emergencies including rescue, medical, and
other calamities.

The BFP has developed from being an agency tasked to implement fire prevention laws,
respond to and investigate fire emergencies to becoming an agency assigned to respond to
medical emergencies and carry out rescue operations during disasters and other forms of
tragedies.

The BFP has also been active on the aspects of disaster preparedness and response. Climate
change has led to stronger and more destructive typhoons passing through the country. In
response to this, the BFP has organized its units in the clearing of roads, emergency
evacuation of families, and distribution of relief goods in areas which are massively damaged
by the typhoons. The BFP is honored to affirm that it is the agency that had been at the
forefront of the aftermath of the typhoon Yolanda tragedy, from its beginning to its
conclusion, recovering cadavers and providing aid to the people through its inadequate
resources.


‘There is an urgent need for a measure that will broaden the powers and functions of the BFP
and increase its manpower. The said measure will boost the operational efficiency of the BFP
and will address the evolving demand of the citizens for a fire and medical emergency and
rescue services agency that can effectively and efficiently respond to dangers of destructive
fires, accidents, and other natural and man-made tragedies and other catastrophes.

In view of all of the foregoing reasons and considering the BFP had proclaimed its
responsibility of being dedicated in ensuring the avoidance and elimination of destructive
fires, investigating its cause, enforcing the Fire Code of the Philippines and other related
laws, and in responding to man-made and natural disasters and their emergencies despite
the lack of legislative intervention, the necessity for additional manpower to conform to that
growth of the mandate and the population of the other uniformed services have been clearly
demonstrated.

‘Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘ALFRED VAGGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3925

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR REORGANIZATION AND REFORM OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE
UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE AND PROTECTION, AMENDING
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9263 AND
OTHER PURPOSE

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Reorganization and Reform
Act of the Bureau of Fire Protection of 2019."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. tis the policy of the State to develop the Bureau
of Fire Protection (BFP) and ensure public safety through the prevention and suppression of
all kinds of destructive fires, investigation of its causes, enforcement of the Fire Code of the
Philippines and other related laws, response to man-made and natural disasters, whether
.am-made or natural, and respond to other emergencies, including rescue, emergency
medical, hazardous materials (hazmat), chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and
explosive (CBRNE) materials, and other emergencies.

‘Toward this end, considering the expanded mandate and modernization of function and the
increase in population, the State shall formulate plans and programs to enhance the BFP with
expanded structure, capability and manpower particularly by upgrading the rank structure
for it to be responsive to the demands of the times and to make agency at par with those of
the PNP, the AFP, and the PCG.

SECTION 3. Additional Powers and Functions of the BFP. - Section 54, Chapter IV,
or RA 6975 shall be amended as follows:

SECTION. 54 The BFP shall be responsible for the prevention and suppression of all
destructive fires on buildings, houses and other structures, including those found in


‘economic zones including agro- industrial economic zones, free ports and special economic
zones, it parks/centers, manufacturing economic zones, medical tourism parks/centers,
tourism economic zone, and other similar entities, forest, land transportation vehicles and
equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or anchored in major seaports,
petroleum industry installations, airports, plane crashes and other similar incidents, as well
as the enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines and other related laws.

The BFP shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and , if necessary, file the
proper complaints with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.
The BEP shall have the power to establish and maintain regional arson laboratories and
research and testing facilities with complete equipment for this purpose.

Further, the BFP shall have function of responding to disasters, whether man-made or
natural, and respond to other emergencies, including rescue, emergency medical, hazardous
materials (hazmat), chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE)
materials, and other emergencies. In line with this, the BFP in shall establish and maintain
‘state-of-the—art apparatus and equipment to be used by the BFP in its emergency rescue,
emergency medical, hazmat, CBRNE, and other operations.

Furthermore, the BFP shall have the power to conduct trainings of its personnel and officers
pertaining to fire prevention and suppression, investigation, disaster preparedness, rescue,
emergency medical, hazmat, CBRNE, and other operations.

In consonance with the powers and functions of the BFP, the BFP may request the assistance
of the Philippine National Police(PNP), armed forces of the Philippines (AFP), or any other
agency of the government, including government-owned and/or-controlled corporations, in
exercising its power and functions.

‘The BFP, in pursuance of all the functions mentioned, shall have the power to enter into any
contract or transaction for acquisition, ownership, possession, use, administration, lease,
disposition, or acceptance or real or personal property in its name.

Lastly , the BFL shall perform such other functions as the president or the secretary assign.

SECTION 4. Organization. - Section 55, Chapter IV of RA 6975 shall be amended as
follows:

Section 555. The BFP shall have a National Headquarters, Regional Headquarters, Provincial
Headquarters, District Headquarters, City and Municipal Fire Stations.

At the National Headquarters, there shall be an Office of the Chief, BFP assisted by other key
offices which shall formulate the policies, plans and programs of the BFP; and monitor,
evaluate and coordinate the operations and activities of the fire service operating units at
the regional levels.


At the regional level, there shall be an office of the Regional Director which shall implement
the policies, plans and programs of the BFP; and monitor, evaluate and coordinate the
operations and activities of the fire service operating units at the provincial levels.

At the provincial level, there shall be an office of the Provincial Director which hall also
implement the policies, plans and programs of the BFP; and monitor, evaluate and
coordinate the operations and activities of the fire service operating units, at the city and
municipal levels. In the case of large provinces, District Headquarters may be established, to
be headed by a District Director.

At the city or municipal level, there shall be a fire station, each headed by a city or municipal
fire marshal: Provided that, in the case of large cities, a District Headquarters with
subordinate fire stations headed by a District Director may be organized as necessary.

SECTION 5. - Established of Fire Station. - Section 56, Chapter IV, of RA 6975 shall
be amended as follows:

Section 56, Establishment of Fire Station. There shall be established at least one (1)
fire station with adequate personnel, fire-fighting facilities and equipment in every
provincial capital, city and municipality subject to the standards, rules and regulations as
may be promulgated by the Department. The BFP shall have the authority to acquire or
purchase real property in all cities or municipalities for the established for the establishment
of fire central and sub-stations.

SECTION 6. Rank Classification. ~ Section 58, Chapter IV, RA 6975 shall be amended
as follows:

Section 58. For purposes of efficient administration, supervision, and control, the new
rank classification of the members of the BFP shall be follows:

RANK SALARY GRADE
Fire General 30
| Fire Lieutenant General | 29
| Fire Major General [ 28
i Fire Brigadier General | 27
Fire Colonel 26
Fire lieutenant Colonel 25
Fire Major | 24
Fire Captain | 23
Fire lieutenant a3 22
| Fire Master Sergeant | 19
Fire Technical Sergeant 18
Fire Staff Sergeant | 17
Fire Sergeant 16



Fire Corporal i E 14

Fire First Class 12

Fireman 10

SECTION 7. Organization and Key Positions. - Section 3, of RA 9263 shall be
amended as follows:

Section 3. The head of the BFP shall have the position title of Chief, BFP. The second
officer
in command of the BFP shall have the position title of Deputy Chief for Administration of the
BFP. The third officer in command of the BFP shall have the position title of Deputy Chief for
Operations of Directorial Staff of the BFP, who shall be assisted by the directors of the
directorates in the National Headquarters.

The BFP shall establish, operate, and maintain Regional Headquarters in each of the
administrative regions of the country which shall be headed by a Regional Director, He/She
shall be assisted by the following officers: Deputy Regional Director for Administration,
Deputy Regional Director For Operations, and Regional Chief of Staff.

SECTION 8. Appointment of Uniformed Personnel to the BFP. - Section 4 of R.A.
9263 is hereby amended as follows

Section 4. The appointment of the Uniformed Personnel to the BFP shall be effected in the
following manners:

a. Fireman to Fire Master Sergeant - Appointed by the respective Regional Director for
the Regional Headquarters or by the Chief, BFP for the national headquarters, and
attested by the Civil Service Commission (CSC);

b. Fire lieutenant to Fire lieutenant Colonel ~ Appointed by the Chief, BFP and attested
by the CSC;

c. Fire Colonel ~ Appointed by the Secretary upon recommendation of the Chief, BFP
with the proper attestation of the CSC; and

d. Fire Brigadier General to Fire General - Appointed by the President upon
recommendation of the Secretary.

SECTION 9. Mandatory Training Program. - All newly appointed uniformed personnel
of the BFP shall undergo a Mandatory Training Program.

SECTION 10. Qualification Standards in the Designation of Uniformed Personnel of
BFP to Key Positions. - Section 7 of R.A. 9263 is hereby amended as follows.


Section 7. No person shall be designated to the following key positions of the BFP
unless he/she has met the required ranks herein provided:

1) Chief, BFP - Should have the rank of Fire General;

2) Deputy Chief for Administration of the BFP, Deputy Chief for Operations of the
BEP and Chief Directorial Staff of the BFP - should have the rank of Fire
Lieutenant General;

3) Director of the Directorate of the National Headquarters ~ Should have the
rank of Fire Major General;

4) Regional Director (NCR) - Should have the rank of Fire Major General;

5) Regional Director (Other Regions) - Should have the rank of Fire Brigadier

General;

Deputy Regional Director for Administration (NCR), Deputy Regional Director

for Operations (NCR), and Chief of Staff (NCR) ~ Should have the rank of Fire

Brigadier General;

Deputy Regional Director For Administration, Deputy Regional Director For

Operations and Regional Chief Of Staff (Other Regions) ~ Should have the rank

of Fire Colonel;

8) District Director (NCR) - Should have the rank of Fire Brigadier General;

9) Provincial Director - Should have the rank of Fire Colonel;

10)Highly Urbanized Cities outside NCR - Should have the rank of Fire Colonel;

11)City Fire Marshal (NCR) - Should have the rank of Fire Colonel;

12)City Fire Marshal (Other Regions) - Should have the rank of Fire lieutenant
Colonel;

13)Municipal Fire Marshall - Should have the rank of Fire Major.

6)

7

SECTION 11. Qualifications Upgrading Program. - The BFP shall design and establish
qualifications upgrading program for the BFP officers and personnel in accordance with the
Civil Service Commission rules and regulations.

SECTION 12. Maximum Tenure in Position. - The aggregate maximum tenure per
position of BFP officers and personnel holding key positions is hereby prescribed as follows:

POSITION MAXIMUM TENURE
Chief four (4) years
Deputy Chief four (4) years
Director of the Staff Services four (4) years
Regional Directors six (6) years
Provincial/City Directors nine (9) years



Other positions lower than Provincial Director shall have aggregate maximum tenure
of six (6) years. Unless earlier separated, retired or promoted to a higher position in
accordance with the BFP Staffing Pattern, officers and personnel holding the above-
mentioned positions shall be compulsorily retired at the maximum tenure in position
herein prescribed, or at age fifty-six (56), whichever is earlier: Provided, that in times
of war or other national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend
the Chief, BFP’s tour of duty: Provided further, that BFP officers and personnel who
have already reached their maximum tenure upon the effectivity of this Act may be
allowed one (1) more year of tenure in their positions before the maximum tenure
provided in this Section shall be applied to them, unless they shall have already
reached the compulsory retirement age of fifty-six (56), in which case the compulsory
retirement age shall prevail.

Except for the Chief, BFP, no BFP member who has less than six (6) months of services
before reaching the compulsory retirement age shall promoted toa higher rank or appointed
to any other position.

SECTION 13. Rationalized Promotion System. - Within six (6) months after the
effectivity of this Act, the BFP establish a system of promotion for uniformed and non-
uniformed personnel of the BFP which shall be based on merits and on the availability of
vacant positions in the BFP staffing pattern. Such system shall be gender fair.

SECTION 14. Promotion by Virtue of Position. - Any BFP personnel designated to
any key position whose rank is lower than that which is required for such position but is
qualified for promotion shall, after six (6) months of occupying the same, be entitled to a
rank adjustment corresponding to the position: Provided, That the personnel shall not be
reassigned to a position calling for a higher rank until after two (2) years from the date of
such rank adjustment: Provided, further, that any personnel designated to the position who
does not possess the established minimum qualifications therefor shall occupy the same
temporarily for not more than six (6) months without reappointment or extension.

SECTION 15. Establishment of Search and Rescue Force (SRF), Emergency
Medical Services (EMS), and HAZMAT Units. - \n addition to the existing Fire Fighting Units,
there shall be established a Search and Rescue Force (SRF) in each region and city,
Emergency Medical Services(EMS) in every 1% to 3" class municipalities and cities, and
HAZMAT Units each region.

SECTION 16. Establishment of BFP Hospital or Burn Center. - The BFP shall
establish and maintain Central Hospital or Burn Center for the benefit of the BFP officers and
personnel and their dependents.


SECTION 17. Revised organizational structure and staffing pattern of the BFP.-
‘The Chief, BFP, within ninety (90) days from the promulgation of the implementing rules and
regulations (IRR) of this Act, shall recommend and submit to the Secretary the revised
organizational structure and staffing pattern for officers and personnel of the BFP, in
accordance with the guidelines set forth herein and as provided in the IRR.

SECTION 18. Transition. - The provisions herein shall be effected within three (3)
years after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 19. Rules and Regulations. - Unless otherwise provided in this Act, the
Department in coordination with the BFP, shall promulgate rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon their
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

SECTION 20. Repealing Clause. - A\l laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
and issuance, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 21. Separability Clause. - if any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
us complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,