Rank Structure Upgrade and Reclassification in the Bfp and Bjmp

FEB 19 A9:50 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY SENATE S. No. 1873 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROVIDING FOR RANK STRUCTURE UPGRADE AND RECLASSIFICATION IN THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP) AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP) AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT No. 9263, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 2004", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. EXPLANATORY NOTE The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) are significant contributors in nation building. They are pillars of public safety, internal security and community protection. Under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the BFP is mandated to safeguard the lives and properties of our people; and the BJMP is responsible in managing and maintaining detention facilities. A lot has changed since the enactment of Republic Act No. 9263, otherwise known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004". The environment has evolved and consequently, the operations of BFP and the BJMP. With the continued growth in the population, the demands in public safety have intensified. As disaster risks heightened and jail congestion increased, so is the workload and responsibilities.

This Bill aims to bridge gaps and eliminate disparities in rank structure and career progression and compensation system. We would like the BFP and BJMP not to be left out and be at par with their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police. Professional development will not only make an office efficient but will boost the morale of its workforce. In strengthening the capabilities of our institutions, we uplift the welfare of our uniformed personnel and with it comes better delivery of public safety and custodial services to the Filipino people. Investing in the professional growth and organizational development of the BFP and BJMP is a noble undertaking; and a testament to our government's commitment to safer communities and effective corrections management. We recognize the indispensable role of fire officers and jail personnel in our daily lives. They often endure dangerous and challenging conditions to keep our society safe and secured. This proposed measure will provide them with a modernized structure, equitable career progression, and dignified compensation commensurate with their service and sacrifice. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO

Some i Office of thie ear. tarp FEB 19 A9:50 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1873 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROVIDING FOR RANK STRUCTURE UPGRADE AND RECLASSIFICATION IN THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP) AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP) AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT No. 9263, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION AND BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT OF 2004", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9263 is hereby amended to read as

follows: "SECTION 3. Organization and Key positions of the BFP and the BJMP. - The BFP and the BJMP shall be headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Chiefs, one (1) for Administration and one (1) for Operations, all of whom shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG from among the qualified officers with at least the rank of Brigadier General in the service. Provided, that in no case shall any officer who has retired or is retriable within six (6) months from his/her compulsory retirement age be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau or Chief of the Jail Bureau, as the case may be. Provided, further, that the Chief of the Fire Bureau and the Chief of the Jail Bureau, with an upgraded rank as herein provided, shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed four (4) years: Provided, however, that in times of war or other

national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty. The Heads of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of Fire/Jail General shall have the position title of Chief, BFP and the Chief, BJMP, respectively. The second officer in command of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of Fire/Jail Lieutenant General shall have the position title of the Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau and the Deputy Chief for Administration of the Jail Bureau, respectively. The third officer in command of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of Fire/Jail Lieutenant General shall have the position title of the Deputy Chief for Operations of the Fire Bureau and the Deputy Chief for Operations of the Jail Bureau, respectively. The fourth officer in command of the BFP and the BJMP with the rank of Fire/Jail Lieutenant General shall have the position title of the Chief of Directorial Staff of the Fire Bureau and the Chief of Directorial Staff of the Jail Bureau, who shall be assisted by the Directors of the Directorates in the respective national headquarters office. The Heads of the various Directorates with the position title of the Directors for their respective functional directorates shall have the rank of Fire/Jail Major General. The Heads of the Management Support Staff such as, but are not limited to, Office of the Legal Service, Office of the Legislative Liaison, Office of Headquarters Support Service, Office of the Finance Service, Office of the Accounting Service, Office of the Supply Accountable Officer, Office of the Chaplaincy Service, Office of the Community Relations Service, Office of the Retirement and Separation Benefits Administration Service, shall have the rank of at least Fire/Jail Brigadier General except for the Head of Office of the Internal Audit Service who shall have the rank equivalent to the third-ranking official of BFP and BJMP respectively. The Head of the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Fire Bureau and the Jail Bureau with the rank of Fire/Jail Major General shall assume the position title of Regional Director-NCR.

The BFP and the BJMP shall continue to establish, operate and maintain their Regional Offices in each of the administrative regions of the country which shall be both headed by a Regional Director with the rank of at least Fire/Jail Brigadier General. He/she shall be respectively assisted by the following officers with the rank of Fire/Jail Colonel: Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Deputy Regional Director for Operations and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff. The BFP and BJMP shall likewise, maintain their respective provincial offices in each of the provinces which shall be headed by Provincial Directors with the rank of Fire/Jail Colonel who shall be assisted by Deputy Provincial Director for Administration and Deputy Provincial Director for Operations with the rank of Fire/Jail Lieutenant Colonel."

Sec. 2. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9263 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 5. Appointment of Uniformed Personnel to the BJMP - The appointment of the BJMP shall be effected in the following manner: a) Fire/Jail Officer Fire/Jail to Fire/Jail Executive Master Sergeant- Appointed by the Regional Director for Fire Protection and Regional Director for Jail Management and Penology for the regional office uniformed personnel or by the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau for the national headquarters office unformed personnel, and attested by the Civil Service Commission (CSC); b) Fire/Jail Lieutenant to Fire/Jail Lieutenant Colonel - Appointed by the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau, as recommended by their immediate superiors, and attested by the CSC; c) Fire/Jail Colonel - Appointed by the Secretary of the DILG upon recommendation of the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau, with the proper attestation of the CSC; and d) Fire/Jail Lieutenant General to Fire/Jail General - Appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary DILG, with the proper endorsement by the Chairman of the CSC."

Sec. 3 . Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9263 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Section 7- Professionalization and Upgrading of Qualification Standards in the Designation of Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and the BJMP to Key Positions. a. No person shall be designated to the following key positions of the BFP unless he/she has met the qualifications provided therein: 1) Municipal Fire Marshal. - Should have the rank of Fire Major, who must have finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twelve (12) units in a master's degree program in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or another related discipline from a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed the necessary training of career courses for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau; 2) City Fire Marshal. - Should the rank of Fire Lieutenant Colonel, who must have finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twenty-four (24) units in a master's degree program in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau; 3) District Fire Marshal, Provincial Fire Marshal, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Deputy Regional Director for Operations and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff. - Should have the rank of Fire Colonel, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a master's degree in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau;

4) Regional Director and Heads of the Management Staff for Fire Protection. - Should have at least the rank of Fire Brigadier General, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of master's degree in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career course for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau; 5) NCR Regional Director and Director for Directorates for the Fire Bureau- Should have the rank of Fire Major General, who must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such as may be established by the Fire Bureau 6) Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau, Deputy Chief for Operations of the Fire Bureau and Chief Directorial Staff of the Fire Bureau.- Should have the rank of Fire Lieutenant General, who must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such as may be established by the Fire Bureau; and 7) Chief of the Fire Bureau. - Should have the rank of Fire General, who must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of

learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau. b. No person shall be designated to the following key positions of the BJMP unless he/she has met the qualification provided therein: 1) Municipal Jail Warden. - Should have the rank of Jail Major, who has finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twelve (12) units in a master' degree program in management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies, or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactorily passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Jail Bureau; 2) City Jail Warden. - Should have the rank of Jail Lieutenant Colonel, who must have finished at least second-year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least twenty-four (24) units in a master's degree program in management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies or related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Jail Bureau: Provided, That in city jails with a population of one thousand (1,000) or more inmates, the city jail warden shall have the rank and qualification of a district jail warden; 3) District Jail Warden, Provincial Jail Administrator, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Deputy Regional Director for Operations and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff. - Should have the rank of Jail Colonel, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a master's degree in management, public administration, public safety, criminology,

penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Jail bureau; 4) Regional Director and Heads of the Management Support Staff for Jail Management and Penology. - Should have the rank of Jail Brigadier General, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a master's degree in management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Jail bureau; 5) NCR Regional Director and Director of Directorates of NHQ for Jail Management and Penology - Should have the rank of Jail Major General, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder of a master's degree in management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Jail bureau; 6) Deputy Chief for Administration of the Jail Bureau, Deputy Chief for Operations of the Jail Bureau and Chief of Directorial Staff of the Jail Bureau. - Should have the rank of Jail Lieutenant General, who must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must satisfactory passed the

necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Jail bureau; and 7) Chief of the Jail Bureau. - Should have the rank of Jail General, who must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in management, public administration, public safety, criminology, penology, sociology, national security administration, defense studies or other related disciplines from a recognized institution of learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such position as may be established by the Jail bureau. Any uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP who is currently occupying such position but lacks any of the qualifications mentioned therein shall be given three(3) years upon the effectivity of this Act to comply with the requirements, otherwise, he/she shall be relieved from the position."

Sec. 4. Rank Upgrade and Classification and Corresponding Salary Grades -

Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9263, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 12. RANK CLASSIFICATION, Standardization of the Base Pay, Retirement and other benefits of the Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and BJMP- In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment to service and professionalism of the uniformed personnel of the BFP and BJMP, they shall receive the minimum starting salary equivalent to the salary grade level of the corresponding rank classification of their counterparts in the PNP, as provided under Sec 36 of Republic Act No. 8551, and in the AFP, as provided under Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9166. For purposes of efficient administration, supervision and control, the rank classification with its corresponding salary grades of the uniformed personnel of the BFP and BJMP shall be as follows:

Rank Classification Salary Grade FIRE/JAIL GENERAL (F/JGEN) FIRE/JAIL LIEUTENANT GENERAL (F/JLTGEN) FIRE/JAIL MAJOR GENERAL (F/JMGEN) FIRE/JAIL BRIGADIER GENERAL (F/JBGEN) FIRE/JAIL COLONEL (F/JCOL) FIRE/JAIL LIEUTENANT COLONEL (F/JLTCOL) FIRE/JAIL MAJOR (F/JMAJ FIRE/JAIL CAPTAIN (F/JCPT) FIRE/JAIL LIEUTENANT (F/JLT) FIRE/JAIL EXECUTIVE MASTER SERGEANT (F/JEMS) FIRE/JAIL CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT (F/JCMS) FIRE/JAIL SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT (F/JSMS) FIRE/JAIL MASTER SERGEANT (F/JMS) FIRE/JAIL STAFF SERGEANT (F/JSS) FIRE/JAIL CORPORAL (F/JCp/) FIRE/JAIL OFFICER (F/J0) Provided, That all benefits currently received by the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP under other existing laws shall continue to be received by them: Provided, further, that their retirement pay shall be subject to the adjustment/s based on the prevailing scale of the base pay of the uniformed personnel in the active service."

Sec. 5. Power to administer Oaths - Officers of the BFP/BJMP from the rank of

8 Fire/Jail Lieutenant to Fire/Jail Colonel, in addition to persons authorized to administer 9 oaths as provided under Section 41 of the Administrative Code of 1987 as amended by

Section 2 of Republic Act No. 6733, shall have the power to administer oaths on matters

which are connected with the performance of their duties.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of the Interior and

Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in coordination with the BJMP and the CSC, shall promulgate within sixty (60) days the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause - Iffor any reason, any provision of this Act is declared

to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and

9 other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect upon completion of its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,