MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the Marcos administration would support the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
In a statement, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said Tuesday, March 28, that the government has allocated P1.74 billion for the development and improvement of the country’s fire service.
Pangandaman said the fund will be used for the acquisition and improvement of facilities, purchase of firetrucks, fire fighting, personal protective equipment, and emergency and rescue equipment.
Of that amount, P737 million is appropriated in the BFP specific budget, while the P1 billion shall be sourced from the 80 percent of the taxes, fees, and fines collected in accordance with the Fire Code of the Philippines.
“As we observe Fire Prevention month, allow us to highlight the special provision given by the Marcos Jr. administration to support the modernization of our BFP. We have provided a total of P1.7 billion to help equip our firefighters,” Pangandaman said.
“This is to recognize how important they are in society as life savers in times of disasters and emergencies,” she added.
Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A declares March every year as Fire Prevention Month.
Meanwhile, Republic Act 11589 mandates the BFP to establish and implement its modernization program geared to enhance the capability of its personnel and acquisition of state-of-the-art fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation, and emergency medical and rescue services facilities and equipment.
Under the 2023 national budget, about P27.11 billion was allotted for the BFP budget.
In a related development, Pangandaman thanked the public for the trust and confidence they have given her in light of a recent survey where she landed as the fourth most trusted and competent Cabinet member.
RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. released earlier its national “Boses ng Bayan” survey in which the DBM chief earned a trust rating of 70 percent, a three percentage points increase from the previous 67 percent trust rating she got in December.
Pangandaman’s job performance rating remains unchanged at 73 percent.
The independent and non-commissioned survey was conducted from 25 February to March 8, 2023, with a total of 10,000 adult respondents, and a total margin of error of +/- one percent.
“This shall inspire me to work twice as hard to ensure that we are on track with our Agenda for Prosperity so that no Filipinos would be left behind in our economic transformation,” Pangandaman added.
