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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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tlijff,;. "f ill' )i>, .• ".J",~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"13 
JUL -3 P 2 :27 
SENAJf.. 
S. No. 
a::.t 1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The increased economic activity in the country has set aside safety standards and 
prevention measures that could prevent, mitigate and lessen the harm of potential industrial and 
residential accidents like fire. 
Republic Act No. 6975 mandated the Bureau of Fire protection to ensure public safety 
through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires, enforce the Fire Code, 
investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaints with the appropriate 
agencies. For operational and logistical efficiency, the BFP will have to implement a 
modernization program that would safeguard the populace from the hazards of destructive fires. 
The following goals should be realized: (l) fire stations and Emergency Medical Services 
(EMS) will have to be created in all local government units; (2) fire trucks that can respond to 
, 
buildings in financial districts and can navigate small roads and thoroughfares, in densely 
populated urban centers will have to be purchased; (3) trauma units in public hospitals will have 
to be upgraded; (4) rescue hotlines promoted; and (5) fire personnel, as well as fire volunteers, 
will have to be trained to be state of the art in terms of fire prevention and suppression.! 
! This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
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.st'rt'Z.it~ 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
tll}tf,;r"f tit. j.Fcrtt·"',ll 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"13 
JUL -3 P2:27 
SENATE 
391 
S. No. _~!L.!"----
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF FIRE PROTECTION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the pHilippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. -
This Act shall be known as the "Fire Protection 
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Modernization Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to develop the Bureau 
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of Fire Protection (BFP), ensure public safety through the prevention of and suppression of all 
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kinds of destructive fires with the active support of the connnunity, enforce Presidential Decree 
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No. 1185, and further strengthen the local government capability aimed towards the effective 
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delivery of fire protection service and competent fire protection personnel. The acquisition of 
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modern equipment shall constitute the main thrust of the Fire Protection Modernization Program. 
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SECTION 3. Fire Protection Modernization Program. -
The Fire Protection 
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Modernization Program shall consist of the following, for implementation over a three year 
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period: 
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(a) Establishment of Fire protection Service (FPS) in all local government units with no 
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existing fire protection services; 
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(b) Upgrading of existing fire protection equipment and services; 
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(c) Establishment of specialized fire protection and related services within the BFP such 
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as but not limited to; high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircraft/airport fires, ship fires, 
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chemical fires, disaster rescue services, emergency medical services, and the like; and 
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(d) Establishment of training facilities, including the hiring of internationally accredited 
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training consultants and advisers if experts of equal qualification cannot be secured locally, to 
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accelerate the personnel development program. 
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SECTION 4. Special Provident Fund. - A special provident fund shall be created under 
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the BFP solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits for members and scholarship for 
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dependents. 
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SECTION 5. Budget. - The amonnt of Eight Billion Pesos (P8,000,000,000.00) for the 
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Fire Protection Modernization Program is hereby appropriated from the following sources: 
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(a) P2.5 Billion from the income of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; 
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(b) M.O Billion from the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation 
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(PAGCOR); and 
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(c) P4.S Billion to be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year immediately 
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preceding the effectivity of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Multi-Year Contracts or Other Contractual Arrangement. - The Secretary 
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ofInterior and Local Government may, subject to the approval of the President, under provisions 
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of existing laws and regulations including those of the Commission on Audit and under such 
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terms and conditions favorable to the government, enter into multi-year contracts, 1 ease-
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purchase agreements, or other contractual agreements with local or foreign suppliers/contractors 
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in the implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Special Foreign Exchange Reduction Scheme. - In order to reduce foreign 
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exchange outflow, generate local employment opportunities, and enhance technology transfer to 
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the Philippines, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall, as far as feasible, 
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incorporate in each contract agreement special foreign exchange reduction schemes such as 
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barter, counter-trade, in-country manufacture, co-production, build-operate-transfer (BOT), or 
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other innovative arrangements or combinations thereof. 
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SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
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approval of this Act, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall promulgate the rules 
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and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act; Provided, that such 
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implementing rules and regulations shall ensure that the fire protection vehicles crafts of various 
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types, communication e,quipment, facilities, and other support equipment will be equitably 
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distributed to the different fire units for the better realization of the envisioned objectives of this 
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Act. 
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SECTION 9. Annual Reports, - The Chief Fire Marshall shall submit to the president and 
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Congress, through the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, an annual report containing 
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the process of the implementation of the Fire Protection Modernization program as provided for 
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in this Act. The Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall submit to the President and 
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Congress an annual report of the status of Fire Protection Modernization Program Trust Fund as 
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provided for by Section 4 hereof. 
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SECTION 10. Separability Clause, - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall 
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continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 12. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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