House OKs bill modernizing BFP

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved Monday a bill seeking to strengthen and modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

With 223 affirmative votes, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 7406, which aims to “ensure public safety through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires with the support of the community.”

The bill likewise establishes the components of the Fire Protection  Modernization Program (FPMP) such as the following:

• • Fire Protection Service
• • Force restructuring and organizational development
• • Capability, material and technology development
• • Specialized services development
  • Human resource development

  The bill states that the FPMP shall be implemented over a period of three years and directs the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the measure in coordination with the BFP, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

  Under the bill, the BFP is mandated to perform additional functions such as:

  • Prevent and suppress all destructive fires in all buildings, houses and other structures, and economic zones including agro-industrial economic zones, free ports and special economic zones, information technology parks/centers, among others,

  • Establish and maintain regional arson laboratories and research testing facilities with complete equipment

  • Respond to disasters, whether natural or human-induced and other emergencies, including rescue, emergency, medical services, hazardous materials, chemical, biological, radiological. Nuclear and explosive materials, and other emergencies

  • Conduct in coordination with the DILG, monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drive in all local government units, particularly in informal settler areas and economically depressed areas

  • Issue a fire safety evacuation clearance as a prerequisite for the issuance of a building permit

  Further, the BFP is also directed to recommend and submit to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), through the DILG, the revised organizational structure and staffing pattern for its officers’ personnel within 90 days from the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations of the measure. [ac]