Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9592)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 9592 is to extend for five more years the reglementary period for uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to comply with the minimum educational qualification and appropriate civil service eligibility, amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 9263.
The minimum qualifications include: being a Filipino citizen, of good moral character, passed psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests, possessing a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution, having the appropriate civil service eligibility, no dishonorable discharge or dismissal for cause, no conviction involving moral turpitude, meeting height and weight requirements, and being aged between 21 and 30 years for new applicants.
Yes, a waiver for height and age requirements is automatically granted to applicants belonging to cultural communities.
Such personnel are given an additional five years from the effectivity of RA 9592 to obtain the required minimum educational qualification and civil service eligibility. Additionally, those who have rendered more than 15 years of service by that time or who have acquired NAPOLCOM eligibility prior to RA 9263 are exempted from complying with these requirements.
Personnel below 50 years old with less than 20 years of government service will be separated from the service, while those 50+ years old with at least 20 years of service shall be retired, with benefits provided under existing laws.
The promotion system shall be merit-based and contingent on available vacant ranks, ensuring gender fairness with equal opportunity for women personnel.
Personnel must meet the minimum qualification standards or appropriate civil service eligibility set by the Civil Service Commission, and must have passed the required psychiatric/psychological, drug, and physical tests. Also, those with prior NAPOLCOM eligibility are considered to have complied with civil service eligibility.
Yes. Personnel who exhibit acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry beyond the call of duty or are recognized in nationwide searches by accredited civic organizations shall be promoted to the next higher rank, subject to validation by the DILG and CSC.
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 responsible for promulgating the necessary rules and regulations within 60 days.
Within the five-year extension period, Congress shall revisit the issue of whether the BFP shall be devolved to local government units and, as circumstances demand, implement it immediately.