QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9263)
The State policy is to maintain peace and order, protect life, liberty and property, promote the general welfare, and strengthen government capability to deliver basic services through institutionalized highly efficient and competent fire and jail services.
BFP is headed by the Chief of the Fire Bureau and BJMP by the Chief of the Jail Bureau. Both are assisted by two Deputy Chiefs (Administration and Operations). They are appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG from among qualified officers with at least the rank of senior superintendent.
An officer who has retired or is retirable within six (6) months from the compulsory retirement age cannot be appointed as Chief. Also, the Chief’s tour of duty must not exceed four (4) years (extendable only in war or national emergency declared by Congress).
BFP and BJMP must establish, operate, and maintain regional offices in each administrative region, headed by a Regional Director for Fire Protection and a Regional Director for Jail Management and Penology (both with the rank of senior superintendent). They are assisted by specified officers with higher and subordinate ranks.
Among others: Filipino citizen; good moral character; passed psychiatric/psychological drug and physical tests; baccalaureate degree; appropriate civil service eligibility; not dishonorably discharged/dismissed for cause; not convicted by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude; height and weight requirements; and age requirement for new applicants (21–30).
A waiver for height and age requirements is automatically granted to applicants belonging to cultural communities.
For personnel already in service at effectivity, they are given five (5) years to obtain the minimum educational qualification and one (1) year to satisfy the weight requirement. After lapse, those who fail any requirement are separated if below 50 years and have served less than 20 years, or retired if 50 and above and have served at least 20 years, without prejudice to benefits under existing laws.
Fire/Jail Inspector: appointed by the respective Chief based on recommendation of immediate superiors and attested by the CSC. Fire/Jail Senior Superintendent: appointed by the Secretary of the DILG upon recommendation of the Chiefs, with proper CSC attestation. Fire/Jail Chief Superintendent to Fire/Jail Director: appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG with proper endorsement by the CSC Chairman.
Lateral entry allows appointment into officer ranks in the BFP and BJMP starting with fire/jail inspector, but for applicants with highly specialized and technical qualifications. Examples include (for BFP) civil/mechanical/electrical/chemical engineering, chemists, architects, criminologists, CPAs, nurses, physical therapists, dentists; and (for BJMP) social workers, psychologists, criminologists, teachers, nurses, dentists, and engineers. Doctors of medicine, members of the Philippine Bar, and chaplains are appointed at fire/jail senior inspector in their technical service.
The person must have the rank of senior inspector and must have finished at least second year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twelve (12) units in a master’s program in relevant fields, plus have satisfactorily passed necessary training/career courses established by the Fire Bureau.
The person must have at least the rank of senior director, must be a member of the Philippine Bar or hold a relevant master’s degree (public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology, or related disciplines), and must have satisfactorily passed necessary training/career courses established by the Fire Bureau.
Any uniformed personnel currently occupying such positions but lacking qualifications must be given three (3) years from the effectivity of the Act to comply; otherwise, they must be relieved from the position.
Within ninety (90) days from effectivity, the DILG must design and establish a professionalization and qualifications upgrading program for BFP and BJMP personnel in coordination with the CSC and CHED through an off-campus education program or similar programs.
The attrition system is meant to manage separation/retirement through performance, eligibility, and career-course compliance rules. It must be established within one (1) year from effectivity and includes attrition by demotion in position, non-promotion, and other factors (inefficiency, physical/moral incapacity, and failure to complete career courses/civil service eligibility).
If a uniformed personnel has not been promoted for a continuous period of ten (10) years, he/she shall be separated or retired, except those occupying a third-level position.
Within six (6) months from effectivity, the DILG shall establish a promotion system based on merits and the availability of vacant ranks in the staffing pattern. It must be gender-fair and requires meeting minimum qualification standards/civil service eligibility and passing required tests. Conspicuous courage/gallantry may qualify for promotion to the next rank if validated.
They must receive a minimum starting salary equivalent to the salary grade of their counterparts in the PNP (RA 8551, Sec. 36) and AFP (RA 9166). Section 12 also provides a salary grade schedule per rank (e.g., Fire/Jail Director—Grade 28, Fire/Jail Chief Superintendent—Grade 27, down to specific lower grades listed).
The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.