The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has filed formal administrative charges against 12 officials from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) linked to a slot-for-sale scheme and fire safety inspection irregularities.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed his determination to end the alleged long-standing corruption in the bureau.

“For the last 20 years, ganito ang sistema sa BFP, wala lang pumapansin. Enough is enough. We have to break the culture of corruption inside the BFP,”  he said via online issued statement of DILG

Slot-for-sale scheme

The department reported that eleven officers were liable for their involvement in the slot-for-scale scheme.

Among them, four former officials from Region VIII were charged due to alleged involvement in recruitment for Fire Officer 1 in 2025. The department revealed that applicants reported that they had to pay between ₱400,000 and ₱800,000 to secure the position. 

“Ginawa nilang negosyo ang serbisyo publiko. Para lang sa isang slot, makapasok lang sa BFP, ₱400,000 hanggang ₱800,000 ang bawat aplikante.” SILG Remulla revealed

In Region X, six officials were reported to be involved in recruitment irregularities, where applicants were approved but failed to present Medical, Physical, and Dental clearances and results.

One officer from Region I is allegedly demanding ₱90,000 to facilitate a recruitment slot. 

Inspection irregularities

SILG Remulla also revealed that anomaly is not only limited to recruitment but also happens in fire safety inspections.

Two personnel from Region IV-A were allegedly involved in irregularities in fire safety inspection. 

“Two personnel were charged for alleged irregularities in fire safety inspection practices, involving violations of established inspection protocols,” according to DILG

Sec. Remulla also revealed that business owners are also affected by the misconduct.

“Ang BFP, sa ginagawa nila, targets the middle class, the small and medium scale industries. Pinipilit nilang bumili ng fire extinguisher. Pinipilit nilang magpalagay ng sprinkler. Sa bawat condominium na nakikita niyo, sila nangongontrata,” he said

The agency also revealed that they received 40 complaints;  21 of them have already been referred to PNP - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), while the remaining 19 are currently under verification.

With reports from Joan Nano

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