BFP relieves NCR fire safety inspectors amid kickback claims

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has relieved all fire safety inspectors (FSIs) in Metro Manila as part of its major reforms following allegations of kickbacks within the agency.

In a statement on Tuesday, BFP officer-in-charge Fire Chief Superintendent Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu said the relieved posts will be filled by qualified personnel.

They will be selected based on their records and training. They should not have served as FSIs.

“If the BFP National Capital Region (NCR) lacks enough qualified personnel, personnel from outside NCR shall fill the gap,” he said.

This move came after 40 BFP personnel faced charges over alleged bid-rigging. Two BFP officials were also relieved for allegedly receiving kickbacks in connection with overpriced fire extinguishers.

Applyicants for BFP permits were allegedly pressured to buy fire extinguishers at double or thrice the price, or else face delays or the denial of business and building permits. The permit applicants were also allegedly forced to buy sprinklers from the BFP.

The BFP said fire inspectors are prohibited from offering or endorsing suppliers as this is unethical and can lead to acts of corruption.

Tiu said this move is aimed at setting a new standard for transparency before expanding the program to other regions. This is because Metro Manila has the largest number of business establishments and FSIs.

He added that the removal of the FSIs ensures due process in the inspection system and promotes a more transparent process.

In January, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said fire inspectors will be wearing body cameras during building inspections to avoid corruption in the BFP.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said 14,000 body cameras were bought so that conversations of fire inspectors will be recorded whenever they conduct inspections.

If there are no deficiencies in the fire extinguisher, fire inspectors should immediately issue a recommendation for approval for those applying for a fire occupancy permit. — JMA, GMA News