The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will enforce key reforms to clamp down alleged recruitment and procurement anomalies hounding the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla said the policies will also cover the significant reduction in the procurement cost of firetrucks to improve the BFP’s delivery of public service.

“Kung dati P15 milyon ang isang firetruck, ginawa po nating P13 milyon na lang. Sinabihan ko ang lahat ng supplier at ang Bids and Awards Committee ng BFP, tanggalin niyo ang patong sa lahat ng inyong kontrata. Walang tatanggap (among BFP personnel) habang ako’y kalihim (If previously, the cost of one fire truck is P15 million, we made it only P13 million. I ordered all the suppliers and the BFP Bids and Awards Committee, do away with overpriced contracts. As long as I am the secretary no one will receive kickbacks),’’ Remulla asserted.

Remulla emphasized the reforms are aligned with the strong push of President Ferdinand “Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. for transparency and accountability in government procurement. 

“Lahat ng sinasabi ng Pangulo, to the letter, sinusunod po namin (All of the President’s order, to the letter, we abide by them),’’ he added.

Remulla warned that anyone involved in padding contracts or demanding bribes, especially in the BFP, will be held accountable. 

“Kung may marinig po kayo na humihingi ng lagay para makapasok sa BFP, i-report niyo agad sa akin o kay governor,  pupuntahan ko agad ang responsable at tatanggalin natin sila (If you hear anyone demanding bribe to gain entry in the BFP, report it to me or to governor, I will personally attend to it immediately and fire the responsible individual from the service),’’ Remulla warned.

He confirmed that investigations are already underway into the agency’s recruitment policies and procurement practices.