VILLAMOR, EDWARD OSCAR D.

FIRE AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

D066

1. Discuss what law created Bureau of Fire Protection and what are the key roles on
resolving arson cases.

2. Discuss the significance of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Act of 2010

ANSWERS

1. The Bureau of Fire Protection was formed from the units of the Philippine Integrated
National Police's Office of Fire Protection Service on January 29, 1991, through a law
named Republic Act 6975 creating the present Interior Department and placing the fire
service under its control. The enactment of Republic Act 6975, otherwise known as the
Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 which took effect on January 1, 1991
paved the way for the establishment of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as separate entities.
Specifically, the Fire Bureau’s charter was created under Chapter IV (Section 53 to 59) and
carried-out through the provisions of Rule VII (Sections 49 to 58) of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations of the said law. The organization was then placed under the direct supervision of the
DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) administers and enforces the fire code of the Philippines. The Fire
Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires. They ensure the quality and value of
the investigation being conducted by all BFP fire and arson investigators and to expedite the
investigation process and disposition of fire and arson cases.

2. It strengthens disaster management in the Philippines, a country prone to natural hazards. It aims
to develop a framework and roll out resources that will enable the national government, the local
government units, and other stakeholders to build communities that can survive disasters. It
establishes a national early warning and emergency alert system to provide accurate and timely
advice to national or local emergency response organizations and to the general public through
diverse mass media to include digital and analog broadcast, cable, satellite television and radio,
wireless communications, and landline communications. Institutionalize the policies, structures,
coordination mechanisms and programs with continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk
reduction from national down to local levels towards building a disaster-resilient nation and
communities.