Republic Act 6975 (DILG Act of 1990) & Creation of the BFP

Republic Act 6975 (DILG Act of 1990) & Creation of the BFP

1. Legislative Background & Historical Context

Prior to 1990, fire protection and public safety services in the Philippines were integrated under the Integrated National Police (INP) pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 765 (1975). This setup combined local police forces and municipal fire services under a unified command architecture headed by the Chief of Constabulary/INP. However, the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandated the establishment of a single police force that is civilian in character and the reorganization of public safety bureaus.

On December 13, 1990, President Corazon C. Aquino signed into law Republic Act No. 6975, officially entitled the "Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990". RA 6975 reorganized the Department of Local Government into the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and created three distinct uniformed bureaus responsible for public safety:

1. Philippine National Police (PNP) – Law enforcement and public order.
2. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Fire prevention, suppression, investigation, and emergency services.
3. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – Detention and jail management.

This tri-bureau framework placed the BFP directly under the administrative supervision and operational control of the DILG, giving the fire service its own dedicated professional leadership, organizational budget, and statutory identity.

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2. Mandate and Statutory Powers of the BFP

Under Section 54 of RA 6975, the Bureau of Fire Protection is charged with the primary mandate to prevent and suppress all destructive fires, enforce the Fire Code of the Philippines, investigate fire causes, and provide emergency medical and rescue assistance.

Enforcing the Fire Code

RA 6975 formally transferred the enforcement authority of Presidential Decree No. 1185 (the Fire Code of 1977, later repealed and updated by Republic Act No. 9514 in 2008) to the BFP. Through its Fire Safety Enforcement Divisions, the BFP reviews building plans, evaluates fire protection systems (sprinklers, alarms, standpipes), and orders the closure or abatement of fire hazards in non-compliant establishments.

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3. Organizational Hierarchy & Command Structure

The BFP operates under a centralized, military-style rank and command hierarchy structured across four main administrative tiers: National Headquarters, Regional Offices, Provincial Offices, and City/Municipal Stations.

                  [ National Headquarters (NHQ) ]
                    Chief, BFP (Director / 4-Star)
                                  │
                  [ Regional Headquarters (RHQ) ]
                Regional Director (CSUPT / SSUPT)
                                  │
                 [ Provincial Fire Marshal (PFM) ]
                    Provincial Office (SSUPT / SUPT)
                                  │
              [ City / Municipal Fire Station (CFM/MFM) ]
                 Fire Station Level (CINSP / SINSP / INSP)

Key Administrative Tiers & Leadership Ranks

1. National Headquarters (NHQ):

   • Located in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
   • Headed by the Chief, BFP, who holds the rank of Director (the highest uniformed rank in the bureau, carrying a 4-star equivalent rank insignia).
   • Supported by the Deputy Chief for Administration (Chief Superintendent), Deputy Chief for Operation (Chief Superintendent), and Chief of Directorial Staff (Chief Superintendent).
   • Composed of Directorial Staff offices including Fire Safety and Enforcement, Intelligence and Investigation, Operations, Logistics, Personnel, and Finance.

2. Regional Offices (RHQ):

   • Headed by a Regional Director (RD) holding the rank of Chief Superintendent (1-star rank equivalent) or Senior Superintendent.
   • Administers fire protection operations, personnel movement, and resource allocation across all provinces, cities, and municipalities within their designated administrative region (e.g., Region I to XIII, NCR, CAR, BARMM).

3. Provincial Fire Marshal (PFM) Offices:

   • Headed by a Provincial Fire Marshal holding the rank of Senior Superintendent or Superintendent.
   • Exercises operational supervision over all city and municipal fire stations within the province and liaises with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and Provincial Governor.

4. City and Municipal Fire Stations:

   • Headed by a City Fire Marshal (CFM) or Municipal Fire Marshal (MFM) holding the rank of Chief Inspector, Senior Inspector, or Inspector, depending on the population, land area, and economic classification of the city or municipality.
   • Operates frontline fire stations, sub-stations, engine companies, ladder units, and EMS ambulances. Operates on a 24-hour shift schedule to maintain continuous emergency readiness.

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4. Legal Relations with Local Government Units (LGUs)

While RA 6975 established the BFP as a nationalized uniformed bureau under the DILG, it preserves key collaborative links with Local Government Units (LGUs) under the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160):

• Operational Support: LGUs provide land donations for fire station construction, financial subsidies, and auxiliary equipment (water tankers, rescue trucks).
• LGU Veto/Selection Powers: Local Chief Executives (Mayors and Governors) are provided a list of eligible BFP officers recommended by the BFP Regional Director from which they select their preferred City or Municipal Fire Marshal.
• Fire Auxiliary Units: The BFP organizes and trains LGU-funded Barangay Fire Brigades and Volunteer Fire Brigades to augment regular firefighting personnel during multi-alarm fires.