REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No, 9182

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The increased economic activity in the country establishes the need for a more responsive and
tougher safety standards and prevention measures that will prevent, mitigate, and lessen
industrial and residential damage and injury caused by fire, accident, and other disasters.
Traditionally, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is responsible in preventing and suppressing
all destructive fires, however, through the years the BFP has evolved from just being a fire
prevention agency to a responder to medical and rescue emergencies including disasters and
other forms of emergencies.

The tasks being performed by the BEP is clearly more than what they are mandated to do.
Hence, there is a need to enact a law, for operational efficiency, that would expand the powers
and functions of the BFP and upgrade its manpower to support the developing need of Filipinos
for a fire and emergency medical and rescue services agency that responds to the hazards of
fires, accidents, and other man-made and natural disasters and other emergencies.

Likewise, it is worth mentioning that the BFP is among the uniformed services of the country
which includes, among others, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). All these uniformed services have
a four-star general as their Chiefs except the BFP whose highest-ranking officer is equivalent
only to a two-star general. Hence, considering the principle of equality, it is just proper that the
officers of the BFP should be given a position which is at par with those of their counterpart
from the PNP, AFP, and PCG.

This proposed measure seeks to strengthen and expand the mandate and functions of the Bureau
of Fire Protection to enable them to respond to all kinds of disasters as well as to respond to
other emergencies including rescue, medical, and other forms of emergencies. Also, this
proposed measure provides parity to the BFP with the officers of the other uniformed services
in the country.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is urgently sought.

Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 9182

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO.

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING AND EXPANDING THE MANDATE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP) TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AS WELL
AS TO UPGRADE THE RANK STRUCTURE OF THE UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF
THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Rank Structure of the
uniformed members of the Bureau of Fire Protection of 2019."

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. - It is 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 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.

‘Toward this end, considering the expanded mandate and modernization of function, the
State shall formulate plans and programs to enhance the BEP 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 the agency at par with those of the PNP, the AFP, and
the PCG.

SEC.3. Additional Powers and Functions of the BFP. - 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


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BFP 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 the 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 shall establish and maintain state-
of-the-art apparatus and equipment to be used by the BFP in its emergency rescue, emergency
medical, hazmat, 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 powers and functions.

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

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

SEC.4. Organization. - 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 shall
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 headquarter with
subordinate fire stations headed by a District Director may be organized as necessary.


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SEC.S. Establishment of Fire Stations. - There shall be established at least one (1) fire
station with adequate personnel, firefighting 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 establishment of fire central and sub-stations.

SEC.6. Rank Classification. - For purposes of efficient administration, supervision,
and control, the new rank classification of the members of the BFP shall be as follows:

RANK SALARY GRADE
Fire Director General 30
Fire Deputy Director General 29
Fire Director 28
Fire Chief Superintendent 27
Fire Senior Superintendent 26
Fire Superintendent 25
Fire Chief Inspector 24
Fire Senior Inspector 23
Fire Inspector 22
Senior Fire Officer 4 19
Senior Fire Officer 3 18
Senior Fire Officer 2 17
Senior Fire Officer 1 16
Fire Officer 3 14
if Fire Officer 2 12
Fire Officer 1 10

SEC. 7. Organization and Key Positions. — The Head of the BFP shall have the position
title of Chief, BFP. The second officer in command of the BFP shalll have the position title of
Deputy Chief for Administration of the BFP. The third officer in command of the BEP shall
have the position title of Deputy Chief for Operation of the BFP. The fourth officer in command


of the BFP shall have the position title of Chief 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.

SEC. 8. Appointment of Uniformed Personnel. - The appointment of the BFP shall be
effected in the following manners:

a) Fire Officer I to Senior Fire Officer IV ~ 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 Inspector to Fire Superintendent — Appointed by the Chief, BFP and attested by
the CSC;

) Fire Senior Superintendent. ~ Appointed by the Secretary upon recommendation of
the Chief, BFP with the proper attestation of the CSC; and

d) Chief Superintendent to Director General - Appointed by the President upon
recommendation of the Secretary.

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

SEC. 10. Qualification Standards in the Designation of Uniformed Personnel of BFP
to Key Positions. - 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 Director General;

2) Deputy Chief for Administration of the BFP, Deputy Chief for Operations of the BFP
and Chief Directorial Staff of the BFP - Should have the rank of Deputy Director
General;

3) Director of the Directorate of the National Headquarters. — Should have the rank of
Director;

4) Regional Director (NCR) - Should have the rank of Director,

5) Regional Director (Other Regions)- Should have the rank of Chief Superintendent;
6) Deputy Regional Director for Administration (NCR), Deputy Regional Director For
Operations (NCR), And Chief Of Staff (NCR) - Should have the rank of Chief
‘Superintendent;

7) Deputy Regional Director For Administration, Deputy Regional Director For
Operations and Regional Chief Of Staff (Other Regions) — should have the rank of
Senior Superintendent;

8) District Director (NCR) - Should have the rank of Chief Superintendent;

9) Provincial Director ~ Should have the rank of Senior Superintendent,

10) Highly Urbanized Cities outside NCR - Should have the rank of Senior
Superintendent.

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


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12) City Fire Marshal (Other Regions) - Should have the rank of Superintendent;
13) Municipal Fire Marshal. — Should have the rank of Chief Inspector.

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

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

[POSITION — MAXIMUM TENURE

Chief four (4) years

Deputy Chief four (4) years

|
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es 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) year more of tenure in their positions before
the maximum tenure provided in this Section shail 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 service
before reaching the compulsory retirement age shall be promoted to a higher rank or appointed
to any other position.

SEC. 13. Rationalized Promotion System. - Within six (6) months after the effectivity
of this Act, the BFP shall 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.


SEC 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.

SEC 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), Emergency Medical Services (EMS),
and HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) Units.

SEC 16. Establishment of BFP Central Hospital and BFP Regional Hospitals. - The
BFP shall establish and maintain Central and Regional Hospitals for the benefit of the BFP
officers and personnel and their dependents.

SEC 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.

The revised organizational structure herein mentioned shall include all the offices of
the BFP, the Fire Training Service, and the BFP Central and Regional Hospitals.

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

SEC 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.

SEC. 20, Repealing Clause. — The pertinent portions Republic Act Nos. 6975 and 9263
are hereby repealed and/ or modified accordingly.

SEC. 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.

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

Approved,