Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned against the corrupt practices of some fire personnel who peddle fire extinguishers to business owners securing fire safety clearances for their respective businesses.

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

Remulla said that when he was Cavite governor, he dressed down fire personnel who engaged in such illegal practices, including endorsing contractors for fire sprinklers.

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

BFP Memorandum Circular 2016-016 strictly prohibits Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel from engaging in the selling of fire extinguishers and endorsing of manufacturers, dealers, or suppliers of fire fighting equipment.

Remulla was in Cebu on Wednesday for an interfacing activity with the province’s local chief executives (LCEs) at the provincial capitol.

During the activity, he asked LCEs to urge business owners to file a complaint against erring BFP personnel who dabble in such illegal activities and delay the issuance of fire clearances.

“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.

Under Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law, BFP shall issue the Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance (FSEC) and Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) to businesses within seven (7) working days.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on all government instrumentalities to ensure the streamlining of the delivery of government services.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/Remulla-warns-vs-fire-personnel-peddling-fire-extinguishers/NC-2025-1015