MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has a new chief.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II has named Chief Superintendent Ruben Bearis Jr. BFP officer-in charge in place of Director Rolando Bandilla, who retired last Aug. 20.
The appointment is one of Roxas’ first actions since he assumed office.
The 53-year-old Bearis, the deputy chief for operations prior to his promotion, is a member of Philippine National Police Academy Tagapagtanggol Class of 1986 and a classmate of Bandilla.
He was promoted to the rank of chief superintendent on June 5, 2008.
Bearis said he will prioritize the collection of fire code fees nationwide to finance the BFP’s modernization program.
“This will help the bureau to purchase more fire trucks, personnel protective equipment like fire boots, fire helmets, fire coats and trousers, and build fire stations,” he said.
Bearis is a recipient of the Centennial Presidential Lingkod Bayan award in 2000.