The country’s fire safety inspectors (FSIs) are suspected of being so corrupt the government fired hundreds of them in a surprising anti-graft drive.
Tasked to ensure that infrastructures in the metropolis of 15.5 million residents meet laws and standards on fire safety, the FSIs are being accused of forcing business owners to buy fire extinguishers from them or proffered suppliers.
Fire extinguishers “forcibly” sold by inspectors or their affiliates—often in exchange for issuing business permits—are typically marked up several times the standard market price, often costing around ₱5,000. A standard 10-pound fire extinguishers may be bought for only ₱1,000 to ₱2,500 and may even be cheaper online.
The FSIs are also suspected of charging fees for full fire-fighting services and extorting money from applicants seeking to join the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
The unprecedented move aims to set transparency standards before its implementation in other regions of the country, the BFP said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Many FSIs are honest and dedicated. However, the total relief is necessary to address systemic anomalies and will ensure a fresh start,” the bureau explained.
There are 912 FSIs in the entire National Capital Region.
According to the BFP, the affected FSIs will be replaced by other qualified bureau personnel.
The job conflagration came two weeks after BFP Director Jesus Fernandez was fired from his post after administrative and criminal complaints against him were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Department of Interior and Local Government investigators concluded that Fernandez rigged the bidding for ambulances and allegedly received P14.752 million in kickbacks.
The move also came at the end of March, fire-prevention month in the Philippines when historical surges of fires hit the metropolis.
The BFP earlier reported an 8 per cent increase in fire incidents nationwide for the first two months of 2026 compared to 2025. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
