The paper evaluates the Fire Code of the Philippines. It also determines the modernization of the fire protection services. the firefighting capabilities as well as the responsibilities of the local government units (LGUs).
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was created by virtue of Republic Act No. (RA) 6975 and placed under the supervision of the DILG and shall be responsible among others, for the enforcement of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1185 [Fire Code of the Philippines, (August 26, 1977)] and other related laws.
As of April 2005, only around 46% of municipalities have such firefighting capability in the country. Among the regions, Regions 3 and 4A have the most number of municipalities and cities, respectively, with fire stations and sub-stations and fire engines and/or firetrucks. On the other hand, ARMM has the least number of municipalities and cities with fire stations and sub-stations and fire engines and/or firetrucks.
The Fire Protection Modernization Program is proposed under HB 3534 to support the modernization of fire prevention equipment and services to be implemented over a three-year period. This includes: a) the establishment of Fire Protection Services in all LGUs with no existing fire services; b) upgrading of existing fire protection equipment and services; c) establishment of specialized fire protection equipment and related services within the BFP; and d) establishment of training facilities, including the hiring of internationally-accredited training consultants and advisers if experts of equal qualification cannot be secured locally to accelerate the personnel development program.
To improve the collection of fire taxes and fees and to support the modernization of the fire protection services, the following amendments to PD 1185 (Fire Code) are proposed: 1) Increase the fire safety fees under Sec. 13(b)(1) of PD 1185 at a rate that will allow the full recovery of the cost of services rendered. The increase may be justified pursuant to Sec. 54, Chapter 12, Book IV of the Administrative Code which provides for the recovery of the costs of services rendered by government; 2) Apportion the responsibility of assessment and collection of fire fees and taxes between the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Local Government Units (LGUs) (City or Municipal Treasurer) such that the former will handle the assessment while the latter, the collection of fire fees and taxes; 3) Establish a system of a thorough monitoring of the collection of fees and taxes to serve as a management tool for the BFP and to allow a more meaningful estimation of the adjustment in the rates of fire fees and taxes; and 4) Implement an incentive scheme for LGUs to motivate them to further improve the collection of fire fees and taxes.
