FOR BFP, BJMP: DILG issues guidelines on appointment of chiefs

Only the Bureau of Fire Protection regional director can designate the deputy fire marshal and sub-station commanders while only the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology regional director can appoint the deputy warden, and that the food service officer shall be designated the upon the recommendation of the warden.

This is according to recent guidelines issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government on the designation of officers to positions in the BFP and BJMP as part of the continuing efforts to professionalize the services in the interior sector.

The circular, which was recently signed by DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, provides that regional positions such as Accountants, Regional Supply Accountable Officers, Chaplains and officers in the Finance and Disbursing, Legal, Hearing, Paralegal and Health divisions, shall be designated by the regional director and recommended by their respective unit chiefs/heads at the National Headquarters and confirmed by the Chief of the BFP or the BJMP.

The regional director shall designate the Assistant Regional Director for Administration, Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Regional Chief of Staff, Provincial, District, City and Municipal Fire Marshals (for the BFP), Jail Provincial Administrators and Wardens (for the BJMP) from among qualified officers evaluated by each bureau’s National Selection and Placement Board based on their respective Civil Service Commission-approved Career Progression and Development Programs.

The BFP Chief shall designate the chiefs of different National Headquarter units from among the qualified officers evaluated by the BFP National Selection and Placement Board based on the CSC-approved BFP Career Progression and Development Program.

The BFP and BJMP Director through the DILG Public Safety Selection and Promotion Board shall recommend to the DILG Secretary the designation of the Chief of the Directorial Staff, the Deputy Chief for Operations, and the Deputy Chief for Administration from among the qualified officers of the bureau.

The DILG Secretary shall also designate the directors of the different Directorates in the National Headquarters and the Regional Directors from among the qualified officers evaluated by the BFP and BJMP National Selection and Placement Board based on the Civil Service Commission-approved Career Progression and Development Program.

On the tenure of service, Puno said the tenure of the BFP and BJMP Chief shall be in accordance with the provisions of RA 9263 while officers with permanent appointment in rank and qualified to the designated position shall have a maximum tenure of two years in a particular unit, but which maybe extended in the exigency of service.

However, he said those who lack qualifications in rank and or position shall have tenure of only a year and maybe extended only by one year except for highly specialized technical positions.

The circular also stressed that no officer shall be designated to a key position when he or she is undergoing career courses, scholarship grants and other forms of official training.  — Garry B. Lao/BRP