Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9592)
The primary purpose of Republic Act No. 9592 is to extend for five years the reglementary period for complying with the minimum educational qualification and appropriate eligibility requirements for appointment to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
The minimum qualifications include: Filipino citizenship; good moral character; passing psychiatric/psychological, drug, and physical tests; possession of a baccalaureate degree; appropriate civil service eligibility; no dishonorable discharge or dismissal for cause; no conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; minimum height requirements (1.62 m for males, 1.57 m for females, with waivers for cultural communities); weight within 5 kg of the standard weight; and age between 21 and 30 years for new applicants.
Yes. Uniformed personnel already in service prior to the effectivity of RA 9263 have five additional years to obtain the required educational and eligibility qualifications. Those with more than 15 years of service at the time of the Act's effectivity are exempted from compliance. Personnel with prior NAPOLCOM eligibility are also exempt from obtaining the appropriate civil service eligibility.
Uniformed personnel failing to comply will be separated from service if under 50 years old and with less than 20 years of government service. Those 50 and older with at least 20 years of service will be retired, with entitlement to benefits under existing laws.
New applicants must be at least 21 years old and not more than 30 years old.
The Act mandates a merit-based, rationalized promotion system within six months of its effectivity. Promotions require meeting minimum qualification standards, passing psychiatric/psychological, drug, and physical tests. NAPOLCOM eligibility before RA 9263's effectivity counts as civil service eligibility. Acts of conspicuous courage can also warrant promotion, subject to validation.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the BFP, BJMP, Civil Service Commission (CSC), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), is tasked to promulgate rules and regulations within 60 days for effective implementation.
The Act requires minimum height standards for males and females, with a weight within five kilograms of the standard for their height, age, and sex. However, waivers for height and age are automatically granted to applicants belonging to cultural communities, recognizing diversity.
Yes. Within the five-year extension period, Congress shall revisit the issue of devolving the BFP to local government units and implement it as circumstances demand.