Eighteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of July, two thousand twenty
one.

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11589, September 10, 2021 ]

AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND MODERNIZING THE BUREAU OF FIRE

PROTECTION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

assembled:

TITLE I
TITLE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act."

Section 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, with the active support of the
community.

Towards this end, the State shall formulate and implement plans and programs to enhance and
modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection, expand its mandate and capability, and ensure its
responsiveness to the changing needs of the community.

TITLE II
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BFP

Section 3. Strengthening of the Bureau of Fire Protection. – The Bureau of Fire Protection

(BFP), created under Republic Act No. 6975, otherwise known as the “Department of the
Interior and Local Government Act of 1990”, as amended, shall exercise the following powers
and functions:

(a) Prevent and suppress all destructive fires on buildings, houses and other structures,
including those that occur in economic zones, agro-industrial economic zones, free ports,
and special economic zones, Information Technology (IT) parks and centers, tourism
economic zones, and other similar entities; forests; land transportation vehicles and
equipment; ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or anchored in major seaports,
petroleum industry installations; and airports, in the event of plane crashes and other
similar incidents: Provided, That the BFP shall collaborate with various local government
units (LGUs) on fire protection services, such as fire prevention and preparedness,
response planning, and information sharing, as well as on handling fire management and
operational issues;

(b) Respond to natural or man-made disasters and other emergencies, including the
conduct of rescue operations, medical emergencies, and containment of hazardous
materials (HAZMAT), chemical biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE)
materials: Provided, That the BFP shall actively coordinate and cooperate with the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the LGUs on disaster
response, risk reduction and management, in line with Republic Act No, 7160, as
amended, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991,” and Republic Act
No. 10121, otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010”;

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(c) Issue implementing rules and regulations, and prescribe standards, schedule of fees,
fire service charges and administrative penalties, in connection with the enforcement of
Republic Act No. 9514, otherwise known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”
and other related laws;

(d) Require building owners to submit plans and specifications of their respective
buildings and other pertinent documents as listed in the BFP’s Citizen Charter pursuant to
Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient
Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 and evaluate the same to ensure compliance
with Republic Act No. 9514 and other applicable codes and standards. For this purpose, a
fire safety evaluation clearance shall be issued as a prerequisite for the issuance of the
building permit in accordance with Republic Act No, 11032;

(e) Investigate all causes of fires, and if necessary, file the proper complaints with the city
or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case;

(f) Maintain regional offices which shall formulate and implement policies, plans and
programs of the BFP, with prior consultation from the LGUs and monitor, evaluate and
coordinate the operations and activities of the fire service units at the regional levels in
coordination with the Central Office;

(g) Establish and maintain fire laboratories and research and testing facilities with
complete equipment, one (1) each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao areas;

(h) Conduct training of its personnel and officers including fire volunteers, fire safety
practitioners and fire volunteer organizations, pertaining to fire prevention and
suppression, fire inspection and clearance, investigation, disaster preparedness, rescue,
emergency medical response, HAZMAT, CBRNE, and other operations: Provided, That
the conduct of such training must be in coordination with the LGUs;

(i) Conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in partnership
with the LGUs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the
Department of Transportation, and economic zones;

(j) Develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive fire safety and protection program
that aims to strengthen the capacity of the national government and LGUs, to build the
fire resilience of communities, and institutionalize measures for reducing disaster risk,
and enhancing disaster and emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The BFP
shall also empower existing community-based fire volunteer brigades and encourage the
creation of the same in all LGUs;

(k) Enter into contracts, agreements or similar undertaking for the acquisition, ownership,
possession, use, administration, lease, disposition, or acceptance of real or personal
property in its name;

(l) Request assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP), or any government agency or instrumentality, including government-
owned and/or controlled corporations and LGUs, in the exercise of its powers and
functions, including the use of these agencies’ personnel and facilities upon approval of
the head of the agency concerned; and

(m) Perform such other functions as the President or the Secretary of the DILG may
assign.

TITLE III
BFP MODERNIZATION PROGRAM

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Section 4. BFP Modernization Program. – The BFP shall, in coordination with the DILG,
establish and implement the BFP Modernization Program which shall be geared towards the
enhancement of the capability of its personnel and acquisition of state-of-the-art fire prevention,
fire suppression, fire investigation, and emergency medical and rescue services facilities and
equipment. The BFP Modernization Program shall consist of the following components:

(a) Fire Protection Service – The BFP Modernization Program shall include the
establishment of Fire Protection Service including the establishment of rescue hotlines in
all LGUs: Provided, That priority shall be given to municipalities with no existing fire
protection services;

(b) Force Restructuring and Organizational Development – The BFP Modernization

Program shall develop the BFP into a compact, efficient, responsive and modern
firefighting force with the capability to implement Republic Act No. 9514. Within ninety
(90) days from the promulgation of rules and regulations to implement this Act, the BFP
shall recommend and submit to the Secretaries of the DILG and the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), the revised organizational structure and staffing pattern
for officers and personnel of the BFP. The BFP shall design and establish a qualifications
upgrading program for the BFP officers and personnel in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Civil Service Commission;

(c) Capability, Material, and Technology Development – Upon the effectivity of this Act,
the existing fire protection equipment and services of the BFP shall be upgraded through
the acquisition of new and modern equipment, vehicles, and personal protective
equipment: Provided, That the acquisition of new equipment shall be synchronized with
the phase out of uneconomical and obsolete major equipment and systems in the BFP
inventory;

(d) Specialized Services Development – The BFP Modernization Program shall establish
specialized fire protection services such as high-rise building fires, forest fires, aircraft
and airport fires, chemical fires, disaster rescue services, and emergency medical
services. It shall also include the establishment of a Search and Rescue Force, HAZMAT
units, Fire and Arson Investigation Unit, and Security and Protection Unit in every region
and city, as well as an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in every municipality and
city: Provided, That each EMS unit to be established shall be comprised of an ambulance
with adequate medical equipment, and qualified and trained
personnel: Provided, further, That every Security and Protection Unit (SPU) shall be
composed of two (2) team leaders with the rank of at least Fire Inspector and team
members, who shall undergo a neuropsychological examination and periodic
trainings: Provided, furthermore, That BFP personnel with the rank of Senior Fire Officer
III may be given priority to be appointed as SPU team member: Provided, finally, That
SPU shall be provided with appropriate equipment to protect firefighters during fire
suppression, containment of HAZMAT and CBRNE materials, fire investigation, and in
the performance of all other acts pertinent to their mandate; and

(e) Human Resource Development – The modernization program shall include the
development of a comprehensive training program for BFP personnel and BFP
volunteers, including mandatory training for new entrants and newly-appointed personnel
of the BFP, and BFP volunteers, and establishment of training facilities.

In order to accelerate the Personnel Development Program, the BFP shall encourage and promote
volunteerism and shall develop guidelines for the enlistment and training of BFP volunteers,
Internationally accredited training consultants and advisers may be hired if the BFP determines
that there is no Filipino citizen who is competent, able, and willing to provide the same expertise.

The BFP shall, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), provide necessary trainings for its EMS,
which include infection control and exposure, emergency vehicle response, incident

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rehabilitation, critical incident stress management, response to HAZMAT, response to mass
casualty incidents (MCI), and response to vehicle accidents, among others.

Section 5. Submission to Congress. – Within one hundred eighty (180) days from effectivity of
this Act, the BFP shall, in consultation with the Secretaries of the DILG, DBM and the
Department of Finance (DOF), submit the BFP Modernization Program to Congress. It shall
contain the following:

(a) Personnel strength and inventory of facilities and equipment;

(b) Modernization projects and activities to be undertaken and the particular component
and corresponding objective to which such projects relate to;

(c) Priorities, schedules and phases of implementation of modernization projects and

activities; and

(d) Estimated average cost of each modernization project or activity to be undertaken.

Thereafter, the BFP shall, through the DILG Secretary, submit to the Office of the President and
Congress, as annual report containing the progress and status of the implementation of the BFP
Modernization Program.

Section 6. Multi-Year Contract and Other Contractual Arrangements. – (a) The BFP may enter
into multi-year contracts or other contractual arrangements with local or foreign suppliers and
contractors in the implementation of this Act, pursuant to the BFP Modernization Program,
projects and appropriations approved by Congress, 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 most favorable to the government.

(b) For multi-year contracts, Congress shall, upon issuance of a multi-year obligational
authority or contractual authority by the DBM, make the corresponding appropriation for
the ensuing fiscal years: Provided, That the BFP and the DBM shall issue the
implementing guidelines to ensure consistency with the BFP Modernization Program and
existing guidelines in the contracting of multi-year projects.

(c) The Chief of the BFP shall submit to Congress, through the Chairpersons of the
Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and Finance and the
Chairpersons of the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and Appropriations,
copies of these multi-year contracts and other arrangements to enable Congress to
appropriate funds therefor.

Section 7. BFP Modernization Trust Fund. – The trust fund created pursuant to Section 13 of
Republic Act No. 9514 shall be transferred to a new trust fund to be known as the BFP
Modernization Trust Fund. It shall be administered by the Chief of the BFP in accordance with
existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

The BFP Modernization Trust Fund shall be used exclusively for the implementation of the BFP
Modernization Program as provided for in this Act, including all expenses necessary for the
procurement of facilities, machineries, equipment and services: Provided, That expenses
chargeable against the trust fund shall exclude salaries and allowances for BFP personnel.

The BFP Modernization Trust Fund shall be sourced from the following:

(a) Appropriations for the BFP Modernization Program as provided in Section 12 of this
Act;

(b) Eighty percent (80%) share of the BFP from all taxes, fees, and fines collected
pursuant to Republic Act No. 9514;

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 (c) Proceeds from the disposal of excess and uneconomically repairable equipment and
other movable assets of the BFP;

(d) Funds from any budgetary surplus, as may be authorized by Congress;

(e) Loans, grants, bequests, or donations from local and foreign sources, specifically
earmarked to be used for the BFP Modernization Program; and

(f) All interest income that accrues to the trust fund.

The amount allocated shall be released to the BFP based on the objectives of the BFP
Modernization Program as provided for in this Act: Provided, That the fund releases charged
against the trust fund shall not be subject to any ceiling by the DBM.

Section 8. Local Equity in the BFP Modernization Program. – City and municipal governments
shall be authorized to use their respective shall from all taxes, fees, and fined collected pursuant
to Republic Act No. 9514, for the following purposes:

(a) Operation and maintenance of local fire stations;

(b) Construction, repair, rehabilitation and improvement of local fire stations;

(c) Acquisition of lots and right-of-way for local fire stations;

(d) Acquisition or installation of firefighting equipment, including fire trucks and aerial
ladders;

(e) Procurement of personal protective equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus and

other firefighting tools; and

(f) Other relevant programs, projects and activities as may be identified by the BFP in
accordance with Section 4, subsections (a), (c), and (d) of this Act.

Local government units shall be authorized to implement development programs and projects
complementary and supplementary to the BFP Modernization Program, to be charged against the
allocation for local development projects as provided in Section 287 of Republic Act No. 7160,
as amended: Provided, That development programs and projects implemented by LGUs in
accordance with this Act shall be included in their respective local development plans and annual
investment programs.

Section 9. Period of Implementation. – The BFP Modernization Program shall be implemented

over a period of ten (10) years effective upon the date of the approval of this
Act: Provided, however, That payment for amortization of outstanding multi-year contracts and
obligations incurred under the modernization program may extend beyond this period.

Section 10. Strict Application of Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service
Delivery Act of 2018. – Section 10 of Republic Act No. 11032 and its implementing rules and
regulations shall be strictly enforced in the processing of any application or renewal of fire safety
permits, clearances and certificates.

Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, a fire safety inspection certificate shall not be required
for the processing and approval of local business permits for professionals, freelancers, self-
employed persons, individual contractors, and one person corporations who are engaged in
service activities and who registered their respective residences as their principal place of
business.

Section 11. Congressional Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created a Joint Congressional

Oversight Committee composed of four (4) Senators and four (4) Representatives appointed by

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the Senate President and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight Committee shall be co-
chaired by the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs and
the House of Representatives Committee on Public Order and Safety. The Minority shall have at
least one (1) representative from each Chamber.ℒαwρhi ৷

The Oversight Committee shall monitor and oversee the implementation of the provisions of this
Act. It shall adopt its internal rules of procedure, conduct hearings and receive testimonies,
reports and technical advice, invite or summon by subpoena ad testificandum any public official
or private citizen to testify before it, or require any person by subpoena duces tecum documents
or other materials as it may require consistent with the provisions of this Act: Provided, That
within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, or as the need arises, the Congressional
Oversight Committee shall conduct a sunset review of this Act. The term “sunset review” shall
mean a systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as the
performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies, for purposes of
determining remedial legislation.

Section 12. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act

shall be sourced from the BFP Modernization Trust Fund as provided in Section 7.

In addition, the annual appropriations for the BFP Modernization Program shall include the
amount necessary to support the funding requirements for all modernization projects submitted
to Congress. The funds to be appropriated to implement the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act under the BFP.

TITLE IV
FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DILG and the BFP shall, in coordination
with appropriate national agencies, LGUs, nongovernment organizations and other stakeholders,
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations to
effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 14. Separability Clause. – If any part, section or provision of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the sections or provisions which are not affected shall remain valid and
subsisting.

Section 15. Repealing Clause. – Section 54 of Republic Act No. 6975, as amended and Sections
5, 12 and 13 of Republic Act No. 9514 are hereby amended or modified accordingly.

All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, other issuances or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

Section 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

(SGD.) VICENTE C. SOTTO (SGD.) LORD ALLAN JAY Q. VELASCO

III Speaker of the House of Representatives
Senate President

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 7406 and Senate Bill No. 1832 was passed
by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines on August 4, 2021.

(SGD.) MYRA MARIE D. (SGD.) MARK LLANDRO L.

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 VILLARICA MENDOZA
Secretary of Senate Secretary General
House of Representatives

Approved: SEP 10 2021

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

President of the Philippines

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