Senator Raffy Tulfo revealed during a Senate hearing alleged illegal practices within the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), particularly in fire safety inspections and the sale of fire extinguishers.
Tulfo said he received reports of corruption involving BFP personnel colluding with suppliers to corner the market by selling specific brands of fire extinguishers to business owners seeking fire safety clearances.
He noted that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had earlier exposed the issue, estimating that corruption in the BFP could reach ₱15 billion annually due to such schemes.
“Matagal na ‘tong nangyayari, decades ago pa. Ang raket diyan ng fire personnel ay kino-corner nila ang bentahan ng fire extinguisher, pabor sa mga kasabwat nilang manufacturers,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo pressed BFP Officer-in-Charge Wilberto Rico Beil Kwan Tiu on what reforms were being implemented to curb these irregularities.
Tiu responded that the bureau has rolled out several measures, including the use of body-worn cameras for fire safety inspectors, reassignment of hundreds of personnel, and retraining programs focused on ethics and professionalism.
He also stressed that the BFP does not endorse any particular brand of fire extinguisher and has strengthened monitoring systems to prevent conflicts of interest.