BFP Modernization Program on Track Puno

August 16, 2009

The modernization program of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is on track with the acquisition of 100 firetrucks this year alone and the pooling of money under a special trust fund to help sustain the agency’ modernization targets, according to Secretary of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno.

Puno said the purchase of 100 firetrucks this year and the acquisition of 58 firetrucks last year are helping beef up   the efficiency and firefighting capabilities of the BFP, an agency long hobbled by the lack of firetrucks, firefighting gear for firemen and other basic requirements.
 
The DILG secretary spoke at the recent 18th anniversary program of the BFP at the Quezon City Sports Club, and which he also used as an opportunity to honor the members of Congress who did the most to help modernize the BFP.
 
Puno cited the efforts of Representatives Rodolfo Antonino, Edcel Lagman and Junie Cua.

Antonino, chairman of the House committee on public safety, was largely responsible for the passage of Republic Act No. 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines. Lagman, who was the previous chairman of the House committee on appropriations, helped allocate funds for the acquisition of 58 units of firetrucks in 2008. Cua, the current chairman of the House committee on appropriations, pushed for the allocation of money for the purchase of 100 more firetrucks.
 
Puno said that the passage of the Fire Code created a trust fund in favor of the BFP, which shall be pooled from 80% of revenues to be generated from the fees the agency is allowed to collect under the law.
 
This trust fund innovation will wean away the overdependence of the BFP’s modernization program on regular budgetary allocations.
 
Puno said that the streak of good luck at the BFP does not stop at the beefing up of its firetuck pool and the creation of a special trust fund for the modernization efforts.
 
While other agencies in government are just maintaining their personnel complement, he said the BFP is continuously hiring firefighters.
 
The other good news, he said, is that entry level fireman–with a rank of Fire Officer 1- will have a starting salary of P12,500 this year, or P4,000 higher than the usual starting salary for firemen .
 
Puno said that the inspired lobbying of the DILG to modernize the BFP and enhance the living standards of its personnel plus the support of several congressional leaders have been the reasons for the benefits coming the way of the fire agency.
 
In his BFP anniversary talk, Puno asked the guests from the private sector to also help the BFP meet its modernization targets and expand its equipment pool.