As the country observes the Fire Prevention Month, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has expressed hope that a proposed bill modernizing the BFP will be signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte within the month of March.

“We are very hopeful [that] even before the month ends makamit na natin itong modernization na ito (we will achieve this modernization),” BFP spokesperson Superintendent Annalee Carbajal-Atienza said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

Atienza thanked the Senate for its unanimous approval of Senate Bill (SB) 1832, or the proposed BFP Modernization Act on March 8, saying the measure will help the BFP pursue its mandate of “promoting public safety by saving lives and protecting property in times of emergencies.”

“Of course, we are very happy, and we are all excited that all senators voted yes,” Atienza said.

The House of Representatives also unanimously approved its own version of the BFP modernization bill in November 2020.

Under the proposed measure, the modernization program geared towards the capability enhancement of BFP personnel and acquisition of state-of-the-art fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation, emergency medical and rescue services facilities and equipment.

Atienza said the proposed BFP modernization program will boost the bureau’s goal to build fire stations and purchase fire trucks in the remaining 224 local government units (LGUs) in the country.

“So with the help of this service establishment program makakapagtayo na tayo ng istasyon, magkakaroon na ng bahay ang truck and then domino effect na yan, pati yung manpower natin malalagyan na ng bumbero yun area na yun (we can build fire stations with fire trucks and then its domino effect, will be able to deploy firefighters in the area),” she said.

She said additional fire substations will also be built in populous towns and cities throughout the country.

“Layunin ng programa ang madagdagan ng modern na kagamitan and kasangkapan para mas madali at effective yung pag-deliver ng public service. Kasama dito sa pagbili ng ating mga fire trucks but specifically para sa mga chemical fires natin or industrial fires and then additional ladders and also ito yung maganda nakaka-excite, fire and rescue helicopters and also mga rescue trucks, ambulansiya additional and also fireboats natin. (The objective of the program is to acquire modern equipment for fast and effective delivery of public service. That include acquisition of fire trucks for chemical fires or industrial fires and then additional ladders and the most exciting part, fire and rescue helicopters as well as rescue trucks, additional ambulances and fireboats),” she said.

Despite the absence of the modernization law, the BFP was able to construct fire stations in at least 14 municipalities and cities in 2018 and 2019.

It also repaired 20-year-old and above fire trucks in 47 LGUs and distributed five aerial ladders and three rescue trucks in six regions, including National Capital Region.

Under the Senate bill sponsored by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the modernization program will ensure that the BFP will be well-equipped and sufficiently-manned to suppress fire and respond to calamities.

“With the help of SB 1832, we can ensure that we will have enough fire officers, fire trucks, personal protective equipment and other equipment needed to suppress deadly fires,” he said.

Dela Rosa has said the BFP is considered among the most “undermanned” and “under-equipped” government agencies in the country.

He substantiated this statement by presenting the data from the BFP in the previous Senate hearings, showing that out of 146 cities and 1,488 municipalities in the Philippines, only 1,368 combined have fire stations and fire trucks.

The same data show that there are a total of 2,848 fire trucks nationwide. Of this number, 2,358 are BFP-owned, while 490 are LGU-owned.

In August last year, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said at least PHP27 billion will be allotted by the BFP for its modernization program.

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation 115-A issued by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1966 and Proclamation No. 360 in 1986, the month of March was declared as “Fire Prevention Month”.

March is one of the hottest months of the year and it marks the beginning of summer season in the Philippines. It is also the month that has one of the most number fire incidents in the country, according to BFP data. (PNA)