President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already signed into law Republic Act No. 9514, otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, in the DILG online news, expressed gratitude to President Arroyo for signing RA 9514 which repealed the 31-year old Fire Code.

Puno explained that the signing of RA 9514, which was enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives last October created a Fire Protection Modernization Trust Fund to support the modernization program of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

On the other hand, DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus said that under the said law, 80 percent of the Fire Code fees shall be remitted to the National Treasury for the BFP Modernization Trust Fund, and 20 percent shall be set aside by the city or municipal government concerned for the use and maintenance of the local fire station.

He explained that with said trust fund, the fire bureau can now acquire modern firefighting equipment and facilities that would enable the firefighters to be more efficient and effective in delivering fire protection services.

The new law also gives the BFP chief the authority to issue closure orders for buildings or structures declared as fire hazards, notwithstanding any permits, clearances or certificates earlier issued by local authorities, Corpus said.

He added that it can also deliberately order the removal of hazardous materials or halt hazardous operations of business establishments whose physical layout is prone to industrial-related fire incidents, or order the work stoppage of structures still being constructed for the absence or violation of any approved construction plan.

Another significant provision of the law is the increase in administrative fines from the old rate of P12,000 to P50,000 for violating the provisions of the Fire Code, and from P20,000 to P100,000 for failure to correct the deficiency or abate the fire hazard with punishment of imprisonment of one to six years, in addition to the payment of damage to victims if the violation leads to the loss of life and damage to property.

The law also imposes accountability on public officials or employees, through reprimand, suspension, or removal, as well as criminal penalties for negligence, malfeasance, or misfeasance in performing their sworn duties to the country.

Public officials who violate the law will be punished by a jail term of six months to six years or a fine of not more than P100,000 or both, Corpus said.

He said that the new Fire Code also requires that private fire volunteers and fire practitioners should undergo a mandatory training and competency evaluation to be conducted by the BFP. During firefighting operations, fire volunteers shall be under the direct operational control of the BFP fire ground commander.

Corpus pointed out that Puno shall issue the law's implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of said law. (PIA)