In the Philippines, the BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) is the lead agency for public fire protection, fire education, fire research, and fire service training. It’s one of the tri-bureaus within the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
On January 1, 2018, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Joint Resolution No. 1 which allowed the increase in base pay of the Fire Officers in the Philippines[1].
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Fire officers’ salary in the Philippines
The salary increase of firefighters in the Philippines is shown in the following salary grade table:
| Rank | Base Salary |
|---|---|
| Fire Officer 1 | ₱29,668 |
| Fire Officer 2 | ₱30,867 |
| Fire Officer 3 | ₱32,114 |
| Senior Fire Officer 1 | ₱33,411 |
| Senior Fire Officer 2 | ₱34,079 |
| Senior Fire Officer 3 | ₱34,761 |
| Senior Fire Officer 4 | ₱38,366 |
| Fire Inspector | ₱49,528 |
| Fire Senior Inspector | ₱56,582 |
| Fire Chief Inspector | ₱62,555 |
| Fire Superintendent | ₱71,313 |
| Fire Senior Superintendent | ₱80,583 |
| Fire Chief Superintendent | ₱91,058 |
| Fire Director | ₱102,896 |
Longevity pay
BFP Fire Officers also get longevity pay every five (5) years of service. The amount is computed as ten percent (10%) of their base salary and should not exceed 50% of their basic pay.
A break in service as a result of leave without pay will delay the payment for longevity by the months represented by the non-pay status.
Living Quarters allowance
Our firefighters are also entitled to living quarters privileges within their office premises.
If fire officers need to be transferred from one station to another—due to reshuffling or rotation—then they are eligible to get a living quarters allowance. The following table shows the breakdown of their living quarters allowance:
| Rank | Amount per Month |
|---|---|
| Fire Officer 1 | ₱400 |
| Fire Officer 2 | ₱400 |
| Fire Officer 3 | ₱450 |
| Senior Fire Officer 1 | ₱450 |
| Senior Fire Officer 2 | ₱450 |
| Senior Fire Officer 3 | ₱500 |
| Senior Fire Officer 4 | ₱500 |
| Fire Inspector | ₱600 |
| Fire Senior Inspector | ₱650 |
| Fire Chief Inspector | ₱700 |
| Fire Superintendent | ₱800 |
| Fire Senior Superintendent | ₱900 |
| Fire Chief Superintendent | ₱1,050 |
| Fire Director | ₱1,200 |
Hazard pay
Firefighters in the Philippines also get hazard pay which is a salary differential that compensates them for exposure to dangers or hazards in the course of their duties. All fire officers get a hazard pay of ₱540 per month.
Clothing allowance
BFP’s firefighters get a clothing allowance of ₱14,000 every 3 years. That’s considered reasonably approximate for the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and laundering required uniforms.
Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA)
BFP Fire Officers also get PERA which is ₱2,000 per month. This is a form of financial assistance to combat inflation and continuing higher prices[2].
Subsistence Allowance
Firefighters in the BFP also get a subsistence allowance of ₱4,500 per month. This is because they have to make their services available even during mealtime.
Final thoughts
Fire officers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our communities. They often put their own lives at risk to protect others. That’s why good pay is important for them as it helps attract and retain qualified and experienced individuals for the job.
References:
[1] Joint Resolution No. 01, January 1, 2018 [PDF]
[2] Senate S.B. No. 3125 [PDF]
