BFP inspectors to wear body cams to prevent illegal fire extinguisher sale

Inspectors from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will be required to wear body cameras starting 2026 to prevent them from illegally selling or endorsing fire extinguishers, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.

“Ngayon, may memorandum circular na kami. Starting next year, nagpa-requisition ako ng 5,000 body cams. Tapos magkaka-system kami. Kasi 'yung mga fire inspector natin, napaka-notorious sa pagbenta ng fire extinguisher,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla told Dobol B TV in an interview.

(Now, we have a memorandum circular. Starting next year, I will requisition 5,000 body cams. Then we will have a system, because our fire inspectors are notorious for selling fire extinguishers.)

“Kung may mag-complain, makikita namin kung ano ang conversation nila,” he added.

(If someone complains, we will see what their conversation was.)

Remulla cited a recent incident in which a fire inspector in Taguig City allegedly told the management of the Italian Embassy to buy a specific brand of fire extinguisher.

“Katulad noong isang araw lang, ambassador ng Italy, nag-complain sa akin. Pumasok sa opisina ng consular office ng Italy. Sinabi ng fire inspector ng Taguig, 'This is not the brand that we recommend para sa fire extinguisher.' Mali naman 'yun. Ano kasi yan, standards lang, hindi naman brand,” he said.

(Just like the other day, the Italian ambassador complained to me. A fire inspector went to the Italian consular office. The inspector from Taguig said, 'This is not the brand that we recommend for fire extinguishers.' That's wrong. It should just be about standards, not brand.)

In February, Remulla warned against BFP personnel who sell fire extinguishers to business owners securing fire safety clearances.

“Bawal magbenta ng fire extinguisher ang mga fire marshal. At kung may gano'n, i-report n’yo kaagad sa akin at tatanggalin ko ‘yan on the spot,” he earlier 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 from their posts 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? These business establishments provide work and then you just want to make money from it.)

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. —KG, GMA Integrated News