THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION:

Republic Act (RA) 6975 otherwise known as the Department of Interior and local Government (DILG) Act of 1990, an act where the Bureau of Fire Protection is thereby created in 1991 initially consisting of the existing officers and uniformed members of the Fire Service of the Integrated National Police (INP) as constituted under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 765. Every August of in a year from then onward, Bureau of Fire Protection celebrates its anniversary standing as an independent agency from the PC/INP.

Brief History of the Fire Service:

The history of MFD started on August 7, 1901 when the United States Philippine Commission organized then theManila Fire Department, merely as part of the Department of Streets, Park, Fire and Sanitation. However, the present organization came into existence when it was separated from the former department. All equipment and apparatus relating to this distinct unit were turned over of F.R. Dodge as the appointed Department Chief and J.W. Hoey as his Assistant. After the resignation of F.R Dodge in the same year, Hugh Bonner, former Chief of New York City Fire Department was appointed Fire Chief on December 28, 1901 but he actually assumed office on April 25, 1902 with Capt. Hoey still as Deputy Chief. During his absence, Deputy Chief Hoey assumed the position of Fire Chief.

At the time of Chief Bonner, the Citys fire fighting force consisted of only 80 men and four Fire Stations namely: Tanduay,Sta. Cruz, Paco and Intramuros Fire Stations. The Department has four (4) engine companies and one (1) hook-and-ladder company. The early means of receiving fire alarm was through the telephone system, and in July 1902, the 80 boxes Gamewell Fire Alarm System was established. The 5th fire station at San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila was constructed during Bonners term. Upon Chief Bonners resignation in 1907, he was succeed by Capt. Lewis Dingman and during his administration, Tondo and San Lazaro Fire Stations were constructed. It was also during this time that the steam fire engine and motor fire apparatus were introduced in the Department, replacing the out-moded horsedrawn fire apparatus. When Chief Dingman resigned in 1919, Capt. Otis Vanderfordsucceeded him. He was credited for the construction of Sta. Mesa Fire Station thus making eight the total number of fire stations in the city until the outbreak of war. He resigned on October 18, 1935, a month before the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth Republic. He was the last American Fire Chief who served the Manila Fire Department. On October 19, 1935, Deputy Chief Jacinto Lorenzo became the first Filipino Fire Chief of Manila Fire Department. He was responsible for reduction of duty schedule of the members of the uniformed force division from the period of four (4) days straight service with 7-hour day-off and 15 hours night-off 48 hours duty and 24 hours off-duty. By 1944, he was succeeded by Deputy Chief Cipriano Cruz whose administration bore the brunt of the brutal years of Japanese conquest. It is very interesting to note that the darkest moment in the history of Manila Fire Department was during this brutal years of Japanese invasion. As the Japanese occupation was about to come to a close, simultaneous raids were conducted one night by the dreaded kempetai or the Japanese military police on all fire stations. Fifty three (53) firemen suspected of supporting the guerilla movement were rounded up. Nobody among them returned despite the strong representation by then Mayor Leon Guinto with the Japanese Imperial Army. To this day, their deaths are still shrouded with mystery.

Upon the liberation of the city, the Manila Fire Department was, literally speaking, another debris of war. The U.S. Army had to supply it with trucks, hose another equipment to put it back on its feet. During the tenure of Chief Cruz, four (4) more fire stations were established for the department namely: Gagalangin, Sta. Ana, Arroceros and Sampaloc Fire Stations. On April 21, 1956, he retired from service and was succeeded by Deputy Chief Eulogio Samio who paved the way for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of fire stations, the construction of a modern edifice that houses the Manila Fire Department Central Fire Station at the site of Sta. Cruz Fire Station as well as the acquisition of modern fire fighting equipment and apparatus, and for the first time in its history, Manila acquired two (2) fire boats in 1965. Chief Samio was also responsible for the increase of salary of the fire fighters and non-uniformed force and the reduction of working hours to 24 hours duty and 24 hours off. Upon his retirement on January 21, 1966, Deputy Chief Jesus Cruztook over his post and headed the Department up to December 30, 1966. On December 31, 1966, Capt. Domingo Reyes was designated by Mayor Villegas as Officer-in-Charge up to March 30, 1967, Capt. Federico Garcia was appointed by President Marcos as Chief of Manila Fire department. On March 21, 1974, some three years after the declaration of Police and jail services of the National Capital Region into one unit then known was the Metropolitan Police Force under the nucleus of Philippine Constabulary and was headed by the Commanding General of the Philippine Constabulary, Metropolitan Command. The Manila Fire Department was since then called Fire District I, National Capital Region. Several District Superintendents assumed the leadership of Manila Fire District Command with the likes of Brig. Gen. Reyes, who was twice extended to his post by Pres. Marcos and led the Manila Fire Services from July 1, 1980 to December 17, 1985. After his death of the same year, Col. Rodolfo S. Villavicencio took over his post and led the District Command up to 1987. As history unfolds, fire stations all over the country were established. Laws were promulgated for the enhancement of the fire service. On August 8, 1975 Presidential Decree (PD) 765 was enacted by then President Marcos thereby constituting the Integrated National Police (INP). It provided for the integration of all city and municipal police and fire departments and jails into the INP. These integrated forces were placed under the operational control of the Philippine Constabulary. The Integrated National Police was therefore established and made responsible for public safety, protection of lives and properties, enforcement of laws and maintenance of peace and order within the territorial limits of the Philippines. It had the power to prevent crimes, effects and arrest of criminal offenders and provide for their detention and rehabilitation. It took necessary measures to prevent and control fires, investigate the commission of all crimes and offenses and bring the offenders to justice, all the while to take every necessary step to insure public safety. The Philippine Constabulary as a major service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with law enforcement functions, served as nucleus of the Integrated national Police. The power of the administrative supervision and control by the city and municipal governments over their respective local police, jail and fire department was transferred to the Chief of Constabulary as DirectorGeneral of the Integrated National Police. Thus, the police fire and jail services were unified into a single organization and the responsibility of training INP personnel was transferred to the Integrated national Police Training Command including the 13 regional training centers throughout the country as mandated by Presidential Decree (PD) 765. On December 13, 1990, Republic Act (RA) 6975 otherwise known as the DILG Act of 1990 was finally enacted thereby creating the now Bureau of Fire Protection and its present organization under the umbrella of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) On June 24, 2004, congress enacted R.A. 9263 otherwise known as the BFP Professionalization Act of 2004 which has professionalized and upgraded the qualification standards of appointment in the Bureau of Fire Protection. On May 8, 2009, President Gloria M. Arroyo signed into law, R.A. 9592 entitled an Act extending the 5 years reglementary period for complying the minimum education qualification and appropriation eligibility in the appointment of the BFP.

On October 19, 1935, Deputy Chief Jacinto Lorenzo became the first Filipino Fire Chief of Manila Fire Department. He was responsible for reduction of duty schedule of the members of the uniformed force division from the period of four (4) days straight service with 7-hour day-off and 15 hours night-off 48 hours duty and 24 hours off-duty. By 1944, he was succeeded by Deputy Chief Cipriano Cruz whose administration bore the brunt of the brutal years of Japanese conquest. It is very interesting to note that the darkest moment in the history of Manila Fire Department was during this brutal years of Japanese invasion. As the Japanese occupation was about to come to a close, simultaneous raids were conducted one night by the dreaded kempetai or the Japanese military police on all fire stations. Fifty three (53) firemen suspected of supporting the guerilla movement were rounded up. Nobody among them returned despite the strong representation by then Mayor Leon Guinto with the Japanese Imperial Army. To this day, their deaths are still shrouded with mystery. Upon the liberation of the city, the Manila Fire Department was, literally speaking, another debris of war. The U.S. Army had to supply it with trucks, hose another equipment to put it back on its feet. During the tenure of Chief Cruz, four (4) more fire stations were established for the department namely: Gagalangin, Sta. Ana, Arroceros and Sampaloc Fire Stations. On April 21, 1956, he retired from service and was succeeded by Deputy Chief Eulogio Samio who paved the way for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of fire stations, the construction of a modern edifice that houses the Manila Fire Department Central Fire Station at the site of Sta. Cruz Fire Station as well as the acquisition of modern fire fighting equipment and apparatus, and for the first time in its history, Manila acquired two (2) fire boats in 1965. Chief Samio was also responsible for the increase of salary of the fire fighters and non-uniformed force and the reduction of working hours to 24 hours duty and 24 hours off. Upon his retirement on January 21, 1966, Deputy Chief Jesus Cruztook over his post and headed the Department up to December 30, 1966. On December 31, 1966, Capt. Domingo Reyes was designated by Mayor Villegas as Officer-in-Charge up to March 30, 1967, Capt. Federico Garcia was appointed by President Marcos as Chief of Manila Fire department. On March 21, 1974, some three years after the declaration of Police and jail services of the National Capital Region into one unit then known was the Metropolitan Police Force under the nucleus of Philippine Constabulary and was headed by the Commanding General of the Philippine Constabulary, Metropolitan Command. The Manila Fire Department was since then called Fire District I, National Capital Region. Several District Superintendents assumed the leadership of Manila Fire District Command with the likes of Brig. Gen. Reyes, who was twice extended to his post by Pres. Marcos and led the Manila Fire Services from July 1, 1980 to December 17, 1985. After his death of the same year, Col. Rodolfo S. Villavicencio took over his post and led the District Command up to 1987. As history unfolds, fire stations all over the country were established. Laws were promulgated for the enhancement of the fire service. On August 8, 1975 Presidential Decree (PD) 765 was enacted by then President Marcos thereby constituting the Integrated National Police (INP). It provided for the integration of all city and municipal police and fire departments and jails into the INP. These integrated forces were placed under the operational control of the Philippine Constabulary. The Integrated National Police was therefore established and made responsible for public safety, protection of lives and properties, enforcement of laws and maintenance of peace and order within the territorial limits of the Philippines. It had the power to prevent crimes, effects and arrest of criminal offenders and provide for their detention and rehabilitation. It took necessary measures to prevent and control fires, investigate the commission of all crimes and offenses and bring the offenders to justice, all the while to take every necessary step to insure public safety. The Philippine Constabulary as a major service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with law enforcement functions, served as nucleus of the Integrated national Police. The power of the administrative supervision and control by the city and municipal governments over their respective local police, jail and fire department was transferred to the Chief of Constabulary as DirectorGeneral of the Integrated National Police. Thus, the police fire and jail services were unified into a single organization and the responsibility of training INP personnel was transferred to the Integrated national Police Training Command including the 13 regional training centers throughout the country as mandated by Presidential Decree (PD) 765.

On December 13, 1990, Republic Act (RA) 6975 otherwise known as the DILG Act of 1990 was finally enacted thereby creating the now Bureau of Fire Protection and its present organization under the umbrella of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) On June 24, 2004, congress enacted R.A. 9263 otherwise known as the BFP Professionalization Act of 2004 which has professionalized and upgraded the qualification standards of appointment in the Bureau of Fire Protection. On May 8, 2009, President Gloria M. Arroyo signed into law, R.A. 9592 entitled an Act extending the 5 years reglementary period for complying the minimum education qualification and appropriation eligibility in the appointment of the BFP.

The Americans established the Manila Fire Department. But before they came, Manila had no professional firemen. Fire fighting was supposed to be a community duty, orbayanihan.

During the Spanish times, a fire that broke out anywhere in Manila was announced throughout the city by a special tolling of church bells. A fire in Quiapo is announced through seven strokes. Ten strokes meant that the fire was in Tondo; five strokes in Binondo and so forth. The city had no regular fire men then. It was the men folk who were expected to hurry to the scene and help put out the fire. The first firemen were usually the street sweepers. It was their job to drag the citys antiquated and only fire wagon to the scene of the fire and to draft enough volunteers to help in handling the hose, pumping the water, and rescuing the trapped victims.

A peculiar tradition required the presence at fire events the Spanish governor-general or the archbishop of Manila. Nick Joaquin noted that fire chasers of those days followed, not screaming fire engines, but the fast coaches of the seor capitan-general and the seor arzobispo racing each other to the conflagration. Perhaps authority from the two colonial masters are needed when calling the army to blast down stone walls with their cannons for fires engulfing big strong buildings, With all those present, the government, the church, and the army, big fires in the olden days must have been colorful and even festive for the side walk audience. In the 1890s, Captain Luis Yangco (famous for the Yangco Shipping) imported the first motor fire engine in the Philippines. Manned by Yangcos own dock laborers, the fire engine raced the streets whenever a fire broke out in the city. It was equipped with a large hose that it did not fit the citys hydrants and had to draw its water from river or canal.

At about the same time, Manilas European merchants, mostly the British, organized themselves into a fire brigade, with headquarter on the present Juan Luna Street (formerly Anloague) the brigade has acquired a steam engine of its own and members were bound to assist in fighting any fire within the citys business area then of Binondo and Sta. Cruz. Members of the fire brigade donned splendid uniforms of white helmets and bright red coats when fire fighting. When the Americans occupied Manila, they established a fire brigade which later became a regular fire force in 1902. Headed by Fire Chief Hugh Bonner, the fire brigade composed mostly of American ex-soldiers and the rules and regulations laid down by the fire chief. They were Manilas first real firemen. They introduced the sliding pole and the raincoat uniform which are still kept by the Manila Fire Department.

The department started using horse-drawn fire wagons. The big trained horses were of terrific speed and were passionately cared by their American masters. In fact, the horses became legendary that Manileos of the 1900s would troop to the fire stations in San Nicholas and Santa Cruz in the morning to watch, in awed silence while the Yankees took their blankets-wrapped horses for a walk around the block. Nick Joaquin described that those horses seemed almost human. Their equipment hung ever ready from the ceiling of the station. At the sound of an alarm, the horses instantly leapt to their positions beneath the equipment, the equipment automatically dropped and the horses had practically harnessed themselves even before the last fireman had slid down the pole. It was a swift precise routine that delight Manileos until, in1916, the tractor-type vehicles replaced the old fire wagons and the wonderful fire horses of Manila disappeared forever from its streets.

The American masters were beginning to be replaced too at about the same time though there was too much opposition tot eh change from people who feared that the fire department, if run by Filipinos, might not be as efficient and dependable. Governor-General Harrison pooh-poohed such fear and continued promoting Filipino firemen in rank. After World War II, Manila has lost all but of its three stations. According to Nick Joaquin, these stations had a heroic role in the citys history. Oldest of them is the Santa Cruz Fire Station on Calle Ongpin which to day is no longer their.

But the fire station in San Nicholas became famous in the olden days because it had one of the first and finest gymnasiums in town. Sportsmen even labeled the San Nicholas Fire Station as the Cradel of Boxing in Manila. It was at this fire station that American firemen would gather the neighboring kids in their gym, provide them with boxing gloves, and make them slug it out for a purse collected from all the stations firemen. Joaquin noted that these prizefights developed a taste for the ring among Filipinos that would have its glory days in the 1920s -but thats another story.