SILG Remulla warns against BFP personnel selling fire extinguishers

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday warned against Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel who sell fire extinguishers to business owners securing fire safety clearances.

In a statement, Remulla said he will fire BFP personnel engaging in such corrupt practices.

“Bawal magbenta ng fire extinguisher ang mga fire marshal at kung may ganon ireport n’yo kaagad sa akin at tatanggalin ko ‘yan on the spot,” he said.

(Fire marshals are prohibited from selling fire extinguishers and if there are personnel doing that, report it to me immediately and I will remove them on the spot.)

“Galit na galit ako doon…Kalokohan ‘yan e. Bakit mo papahirapan ang negosyo? Nagbibigay ng trabaho ‘yan tapos gusto mo pagkakitaan lang,” he added.

(I'm very angry at that... That's absurd. Why would you make business difficult? It provides work and then you just want to make money from it.)

When he was a Cavite governor, Remulla said he reprimanded some fire personnel who engaged in such illegal practices including the endorsement of contractors for fire sprinklers.

Based on BFP Memorandum Circular 2016-016, fire personnel are prohibited from engaging in the selling of fire extinguishers and endorsing of manufacturers, dealers, or suppliers of fire fighting equipment.

Remulla, in an event at the Cebu provincial capitol on Wednesday, called on local chief executives to urge business owners to file a complaint against erring BFP personnel.

“Mayors, please encourage business owners to file an ARTA complaint. Kung ma-delay pa more than one week, mag-file ng ARTA complaint, and I will personally see to it na ma-discipline sila,” he said.

(Mayors, please encourage business owners to file an ARTA complaint. If there is a delay of more than one week, file an ARTA complaint, and I will personally see to it that they are disciplined.)

Under Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Law, BFP shall issue the Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC) and Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) to businesses within seven working days.

Earlier, President Ferdinand  “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed all government instrumentalities to ensure the streamlining of the delivery of government services. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News