• 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No, 154 2 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN, JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Fire incidents are unexpected and most often, unintentional. They can be 
prevented or at least their effects lessened through proper safety measures and 
protection services. With the hope of addressing the significant danger faced by 
the populace from fires, this bill proposes to establish a program strengthening 
the effective delivery of fire protection services by way of greater local 
government capability and active community support. 
This bill seeks to establish a Fire Protection Modernization Program that 
will support the Bureau of Fire Protection in executing its mandate to ensure 
public safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive 
fires. Components of the modernization program shall include the acquisition of 
modern fire protection equipment and advanced training for personnel, and the 
establishment of local government unit based operation centers for operational 
and logistical efficiency. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 15 4 2 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
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PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION 
SERVICES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fire Protection 
Modernization Act of 2013", 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to ensure 
public safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive 
fires, and to strengthen the effective delivery of fire protection services to the 
public by enhancing local government capability and fostering active community 
support. The acquisition of modern equipment shall constitute the main thrust of 
the Fire Protection Modernization Program. 
SEC. 3. Components of Modernization. -
The Fire Protection 
Modernization Program shall consist of the following programs to be 
implemented over a three-year period: 
a) Establishment of Fire Protection Services in all local government units 
with no existing fire protection services; 
b) Upgrading of existing fire protection equipment and services: 
c) Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within 
the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for the management of high-rise 
building fires, forest fires, aircraft/airport fires, ship fires, and chemical 
fires; disaster rescue services, emergency medical services and the 
like; and, 
d) Establishment of training facilities, including the hiring of internationally 
accredited training conSUltants and advisers if experts of equal 
qualification cannot be secured locally, to accelerate the personnel 
development program of the BFP. 


SEC. 4. Special Provident Fund. - A Special Provident Fund shall be 
created under the BFP solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits of 
members and scholarship for their dependents. 
SEC. 
5. 
Budget. 
-
The 
amount 
of Eight 
Billion 
Pesos 
(P 
8,000,000,000.00) for the Fire Protection Modernization Program is hereby 
appropriated from the following sources: 
(a) Php 3.5 Billion (P 3,500,000,000) from the 32.5% share of the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines pursuant to Section 8(1) of Republic Act No. 
7227; 
(b) Php 2.5 Billion (P 2,500,000,000) from the income of the Philippine 
Lottery; 
(c) Php 1.0 Billion (P 1,000,000,000) from the income of the Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR); 
(d) Php 1.0 Billion (P 1,000,000,000) to be included in the General 
Appropriations Act of the year immediately preceding the effectivity of 
this Act. 
SEC. 6. Multi-Year Contracts or Other Contractual Arrangements. -
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) may, subject to the 
approval of the President, the provisions of existing laws and regulations 
including those of the Commission on Audit, and under such terms and 
conditions favorable to the government, enter into multi-year contracts, lease or 
lease-purchase agreements or pther contractual agreements with local or foreign 
suppliers or contractors in the implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 7. Special Foreign Exchange Reduction Scheme. - In order to 
reduce foreign exchange outflow, generate local employment opportunities, and 
enhance technology transfer to the Philippines, the DILG shall, as far as feasible, 
incorporate in each contract agreement special foreign exchange reduction 
schemes such as barter, counter trade, in-country manufacture, co-production, 
build-operate transfer (BOT) or other innovative arrangements or combinations 
thereof. 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days 
from the approval of this Act, the DILG shall promulgate the rules and regulations 
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act; Provided, that such 
implementing rules and regulations shall ensure that the fire protection vehicles 
or crafts of various types, communication equipment and facilities, and other 
support equipment will be equitably distributed to the different fire units for the 
better realization of the objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 9. Annual Reports. - The Chief Fire Marshall shall submit to the 
President and Congress, through the Secretary of the DILG, an annual report 
containing the' process of the implementation of the Fire Protection 
Modernization Program. The Secretary of the DILG shall submit to the President 
and Congress an annual report of the status of the Special Provident Fund as 
provided for under Section 4 of this Act. 


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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of 
this Act is declared unconstitutional or illegal, other parts or provisions hereof 
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is' hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its complete 
publication in two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,