President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act and witnessed the presentation of newly-enacted laws on various state universities and colleges on Friday (Sept. 10).
Under the Republic Act (RA) 11589 or the BFP Modernization Act, the BFP “will embark on a 10-year modernization period transforming it into a modern and world-class institution.”
The President said the purpose of arming the BFP personnel is to “ward off threats and destruction of government properties.”
“Para naman medyo buo ang loob ng bumbero, iyan ang… We thought of just arming them also. Tutal gobyerno ito and they can be called upon during emergencies to contribute to the law and order of the place, but they have to have something,” Duterte said.
President Duterte believes that this will also help boost the morale and service of the nation’s firemen.
“There are so many challenges in the work of a bumbero on the day of his life na kailangang protektahan. So, we thought of just providing sana yung mga baril kung hindi lahat well that is for the wisdom of Congress,” he said.
“Kung hindi ka makakita ng baril, hindi susunod. That is the reason why one of the things why sa modernization kasali iyon,” Duterte added. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio / CF – rir