Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9263)
Republic Act No. 9263 shall be known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004."
The State declares its policy to maintain peace and order, protect life, liberty, and property, and promote the general welfare, including strengthening government capabilities through the professionalization of the BFP and BJMP.
Each bureau is headed by a Chief, assisted by two Deputy Chiefs (one for administration and one for operations), appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens, of good moral character, physically and mentally fit (passing tests), possess a baccalaureate degree, appropriate civil service eligibility, no dishonorable dismissal, no conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude, meet height and weight standards (with cultural community waivers), and be between 21 and 30 years old for new applicants.
Fire/Jail Inspectors to Superintendents are appointed by the Chiefs of the respective bureaus upon recommendation and subject to Civil Service Commission (CSC) attestation; Senior Superintendents by the Secretary of the DILG with recommendation and CSC attestation; and Chief Superintendents to Directors by the President upon recommendation of the DILG Secretary and endorsement of the CSC.
Candidates with specialized and technical qualifications such as engineers, chemists, architects, criminologists, accountants, nurses, social workers, psychologists, dentists, lawyers, doctors, and chaplains may enter laterally, starting at ranks of Inspector or Senior Inspector depending on their professions.
Key positions require specific ranks and educational achievements such as completion of Bachelor of Laws or master’s degree units in relevant fields, and satisfactory completion of training or career courses established by the respective bureaus.
Attrition may occur through demotion without reassignment, non-promotion for 10 years, inefficiency based on performance ratings, incapacity, or failure to complete required courses, leading to separation or retirement depending on years of service.
Their base pay is standardized to correspond with the pay grade of equivalent ranks in the PNP and AFP with an established salary grade schedule ranging from SG 10 to SG 28 for various ranks.
The Act shall take effect 15 days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier, with full implementation to be staggered but not to exceed three years.