A party-list lawmaker is pushing for the passage of a bill that calls for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano made the call in line with the Fire Prevention Month, saying it is about time the capabilities and services of the BFP be upgraded “being the main agency tasked to prevent and supress all kinds of destructive fires.”
“Fire is a serious threat to life and property. Rapid urbanization and congestion in cities make fire hazards more common and devastating. The BFP then needs to keep up with this predicament by improving the tools and methods at its disposal,” Alejano, a member of the opposition in the House of Representatives, said.
Alejano’s proposal was contained in House Bill 2728 which provides for the Fire Protection Modernization Program. The program covers: (1) establishment of fire stations and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in all local government units, (2) upgrade of existing equipment and services, (3) creation of specialized fire protection and related services, and (4) development of personnel.
The bill proposes a budgetary requirement amounting to an initial P8 billion for the modernization program.
“To fully realize a modern and responsive fire protection agency, I intend to forward a higher appropriation, based on the proposal of BFP, amounting to P80 billion for 10 years. Extending the modernization program to 10 years is a compromise so as not to burden the national budget also,” Alejano said.
The bill also proposes the creation of a special fund solely for the retirement, disability, and death benefits for members and scholarship for dependents of firefighters.