Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City Liban

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“4078

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. RUTH MARIANO-HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR RANK STRUCTURE UPGRADE AND RECLASSIFICATION IN THE
BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP) AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT
AND PENOLOGY (BJMP) AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT No. 9263, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE BUREAU OF FIRE
PROTECTION AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY
PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 2004", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to attain the standardization of the ranks in the Bureau of Fire Protection
(BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to address the long
overdue rank classification of our fellow public servants in the said uniformed service of
government.

Itis only appropriate for the two uniformed service bureaus to have rank reclassification
after the Philippine National Police (PNP). It is worthy to note that Republic Act No.
11200 was enacted into law on February 8, 2019 that standardized the rank classification
and clarified the command and responsibility structure of the PNP.

The BFP and the BJMP, as part and parcel of the uniformed service under the Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG), are required the same yet specific terms of
sacrifice and dedication in the government service that risk life and limb in oftentimes
hazardous and extreme situations, including during times of national emergency or
calamity.

This measure also aims to address the current disparity in the rank classifications among
the line bureaus of the DILG - thereby boosting the morale, productivity and sense of
responsibility that shall ultimately benefit the Filipino people.

Fiew of the fPregoing, the passage of this measure is urgently requested.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“4078

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. RUTH MARIANO-HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR RANK STRUCTURE UPGRADE AND RECLASSIFICATION IN THE
BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP) AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT
AND PENOLOGY (BJMP) AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT No. 9263, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE BUREAU OF FIRE
PROTECTION AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY
PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 2004", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9263 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 3. Organization and Key positions of the BFP and the BJMP. - The
BFP and the BJMP shall be headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by two (2)
Deputy Chiefs, one (1) for Administration and one (1) for Operations, all of whom
shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the
DILG from among the qualified officers with at least the rank of Chief
Superintendent in the service. Provided, that in no case shall any officer who has
retired or is retriable within six (6) months from his/her compulsory retirement
age be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau or Chief of the Jail Bureau, as the case
may be. Provided, further, that the Chief of the Fire Bureau and the Chief of the
Jail Bureau, with an upgraded rank as herein provided, shall serve a tour of duty
not to exceed four (4) years: Provided, however, that in times of war or other
national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such tour of

duty.

The Heads of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of Fire/Jail General shall have
the position title of Chief, BFP and the Chief, BJMP, respectively. The second
officer in command of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of Fire/Jail Lieutenant
General shall have the position title of the Deputy Chief for Administration of the

2


Fire Bureau and the Deputy Chief for Administration of the Jail Bureau,
respectively. The third officer in command of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank
of Fire/Jail Lieutenant General shall have the position title of the Deputy Chief for
Operations of the Fire Bureau and the Deputy Chief for Operations of the Jail
Bureau, respectively. The fourth officer in command of the BFP and the BJMP with
the rank of Fire/Jail Lieutenant General shall have the position title of the Chief of
Directorial Staff of the Fire Bureau and the Chief of Directorial Staff of the Jail
Bureau, who shall be assisted by the Directors of the Directorates in the
respective national headquarters office. The Heads of the various Directorates
with the position title of the Directors for their respective functional directorates
shall have the rank of Fire/Jail Major General.

The Heads of the Management Support Staff such as, but are not limited to, Office
of the Legal Service, Office of the Legislative Liaison, Office of Headquarters
Support Service, Office of the Finance Service, Office of the Accounting Service,
Office of the Supply Accountable Officer, Office of the Chaplaincy Service, Office of
the Community Relations Service, Office of the Retirement and Separation
Benefits Administration Service, shall have the rank of at least Fire/Jail Brigadier
General except for the Head of Office of the Internal Audit Service who shall have
the rank equivalent to the third-ranking official of BFP and BJMP respectively.

‘The Head of the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Fire Bureau and the Jail
Bureau with the rank of Fire/Jail Major General shall assume the position title of
Regional Director-NCR.

The BEP and the BJMP shall continue to establish, operate and maintain their
Regional Offices in each of the administrative regions of the country which shall
be both headed by a Regional Director with the rank of at least Fire/Jail Brigadier
General. He/she shall be respectively assisted by the following officers with the
rank of Fire/Jail Colonel: Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Deputy
Regional Director for Operations and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff.

‘The BFP and BJMP shall likewise, maintain their respective provincial offices in
each of the provinces which shall be headed by Provincial Directors with the rank
of Fire/Jail Colonel who shall be assisted by Deputy Provincial Director for
Administration and Deputy Provincial Director for Operations with the rank of
Fire/Jail Lieutenant Colonel.”

SEC. 2. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9263 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Section 5. Appointment of Uniformed Personnel to the BJMP - The appointment of the
BJMP shall be effected in the following manner:

a) Fire/Jail Officer Fire/Jail to Fire/Jail Executive Master Sergeant.
Appointed by the Regional Director for Fire Protection and Regional Director
for Jail Management and Penology for the regional office uniformed personnel
or by the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau for
the national headquarters office unformed personnel, and attested by the Civil
Service Commission (CSC);


b) Fire/Jail Lieutenant to Fire/Jail Lieutenant Colonel. - Appointed by the
respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau, as
recommended by their immediate superiors, and attested by the CSC;

©) Fire/Jail Colonel, - Appointed by the Secretary of the DILG upon
recommendation of the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail
Bureau, with the proper attestation of the CSC; and

d) Fire/Jail Lieutenant General to Fire/Jail General. - Appointed by the
President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary DIL.G, with
the proper endorsement by the Chairman of the CSC.”

SEC. 3. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9263 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 7- Professionalization and Upgrading of Qualification Standards in the
Designation of Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and the BJMP to Key Positions.

a. No person shall be designated to the following key positions of the BFP unless
he/she has met the qualifications provided therein:

1) Municipal Fire Marshal. - Should have the rank of Fire Major, who must
have finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twelve
(12) units in a master's degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety, criminology or another related
discipline from a recognized institution of learning, and must have
satisfactorily passed the necessary training of career courses for such position
as may be established by the Fire Bureau;

2) City Fire Marshal. - Should have the rank of Fire Lieutenant Colonel, who
must have finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least
twenty-four (24) units in a master's degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related
disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have
satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such position
as may be established by the Fire Bureau;

3) District Fire Marshal, Provincial Fire Marshal, Deputy Regional
Director for Administration, Deputy Regional Director for Operations and
Regional Chief of Directorial Staff. - Should have the rank of Fire Colonel,
who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a master’s degree
in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology
or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must
have satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such
position as may be established by the Fire Bureau;

4) Regional Director and Heads of the Management Staff for Fire
Protection. - Should have at least the rank of Fire Brigadier General, who must
be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of master's degree in public
administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other


related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have
satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career course for such position
as may be established by the Fire Bureau;

5) NCR Regional Director and Director for Directorates for the Fire
Bureau. - Should have the rank of Fire Major General, who must be a member
of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related
disciplines from a recognized institution of learning and must have
satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such as may
be established by the Fire Bureau

6) Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau, Deputy Chief for
Operations of the Fire Bureau and Chief Directorial Staff of the Fire
Bureau.- Should have the rank of Fire Lieutenant General, who must be a
member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public
administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other
related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have
satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such as may
be established by the Fire Bureau; and,

7) Chief of the Fire Bureau, - Should have the rank of Fire General, who must
be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public
administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other
related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must
satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such position
as may be established by the Fire Bureau.

b. No person shall be designated to the following key positions of the BJMP unless
he/she has met the qualification provided therein:

1) Municipal Jail Warden. - Should have the rank of Jail Major, who has
finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twelve
(12) units in a master’ degree program in management, public
administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology, national
security administration, defense studies, or other related disciplines from
a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed
the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be
established by the Jail Bureau;

2) City Jail Warden. - Should have the rank of Jail Lieutenant Colonel, who
must have finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least
twenty-four (24) units in a master's degree program in management,
public administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology,
national security administration, defense studies or related disciplines
from a recognized institution of learning and must satisfactory passed the
necessary training or career courses for such position as may be
established by the Jail Bureau: Provided, That in city jails with a population



3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

of one thousand (1,000) or more inmates, the city jail warden shall have
the rank and qualification of a district jail warden;

District Jail Warden, Provincial Jail Administrator, Deputy Regional
Director for Administration, Deputy Regional Director for Operations
and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff. - Should have the rank of Jail
Colonel, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a
master's degree in management, public administration, public safety,
criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration,
defense studies or other related disciplines from a recognized institution
of learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career
courses for such position as may be established by the Jail bureau;

Regional Director and Heads of the Management Support Staff for Jail
Management and Penology. - Should have the rank of Jail Brigadier
General, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a
master's degree in management, public administration, public safety,
criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration,
defense studies or other related disciplines from a recognized institution
of learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career
courses for such position as may be established by the Jail bureau;

NCR Regional Director and Director of Directorates of NHQ for Jail
Management and Penology - Should have the rank of Jail Major General,
who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a master's
degree in management, public administration, public safety, criminology,
penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies or
other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and
must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such
position as may be established by the Jail bureau;

Deputy Chief for Administration of the Jail Bureau, Deputy Chief for
Operations of the Jail Bureau and Chief of Directorial Staff of the Jail
Bureau. ~ Should have the rank of Jail Lieutenant General, who must be a
member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master’s degree in
management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology,
sociology, national security administration, defense studies or other
related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must
satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such
position as may be established by the Jail bureau; and

Chief of the Jail Bureau. - Should have the rank of Jail General, who must
be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in
management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology,
sociology, national security administration, defense studies or other
related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must
satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such
position as may be established by the Jail bureau.


Any uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP who is currently
occupying such position but lacks any of the qualifications mentioned
therein shall be given three (3) years upon the effectivity of this Act to
comply with the requirements, otherwise, he/she shall be relieved from
the position.”

SECTION 4. Rank Upgrade and Classification and Corresponding Salary Grades. -
Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9263, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 12. RANK CLASSIFICATION, Standardization of the Base Pay, Retirement
and other benefits of the Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and BJMP- In order to
enhance the general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of the
uniformed personnel of the BFP and BJMP, they shall receive the minimum
starting salary equivalent to the salary grade level of the corresponding rank
classification of their counterparts in the PNP, as provided under Sec. 36 of
Republic Act No. 8551, and in the AFP, as provided under Section 2 of Republic
Act No. 9166.

For purposes of efficient administration, supervision and control, the rank
classification with its corresponding salary grades of the uniformed personnel
of the BFP and BJMP shall be as follows:

Rank Classification Salary Grade |
FIRE/JAIL GENERAL (F/JGEN) 30
FIRE/JAIL LIEUTENANT GENERAL (F/JLTGEN) 29
' FIRE/JAIL MAJOR GENERAL (F/JMGEN) 28
FIRE/JAIL BRIGADIER GENERAL (F/JBGEN) 27
FIRE/JAIL COLONEL (F/JCOL) [26
FIRE/JAIL LIEUTENANT COLONEL (F/JLTCOL) 25
FIRE/JAIL MAJOR (F/JMAJ) l24
| FIRE/JAIL CAPTAIN (F/JCPT) [23
| FIRE/JAIL LIEUTENANT (F/JLT) ar
FIRE/JAIL EXECUTIVE MASTER SERGEANT (F/JEMS) 19 7
FIRE/JAIL CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT (F/JCMS) 18 |
"FIRE/JAIL SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT (F/JSMS) 7
| FIRE/JAIL MASTER SERGEANT (F/JMS) 46
FIRE/JAIL STAFF SERGEANT (F/JSS) 4 |



FIRE/JAIL CORPORAL (F/JCpl) 12

| FIRE /JAIL OFFICER (F/J0) 10

Provided, That all benefits currently received by the uniformed personnel of the
BEP and the BJMP under other existing laws shall continue to be received by
them: Provided, further, that their retirement pay shall be subject to the
adjustment/s based on the prevailing scale of the base pay of the uniformed
personnel in the active service.”

SECTION 5. Power to administer Oaths - Officers of the BFP/BJMP from the rank of
Fire/Jail Lieutenant to Fire/Jail Colonel, in addition to persons authorized to administer
oaths as provided under Section 41 of the Administrative Code of 1987 as amended by
Section 2 of Republic Act No. 6733, shall have the power to administer oaths on matters
which are connected with the performance of their duties.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
in coordination with the BJMP and the CSC, shall promulgate within sixty (60) days the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared
to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect upon completion of its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,