Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2G9A
HouSE BILL No. 2°94

Authored by HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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.

JOSEPH VICTOR G, EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

ag94

HOUSE BILL NO. ate

Authored by HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
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 2010."

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 other 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.

Sec. 10. Separabi 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,