BFP earns unmodified opinion from COA for 3rd consecutive year
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has received an unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit (COA)for three consecutive years, starting in 2022. For fiscal year 2024, the BFP once again received an unmodified opinion, with a score of 90.
According to COA, the rating is based on the Financial Management Performance Rating, drawn from the financial audit conducted during the 2024 period. The report was submitted by Director IV Miriam M. Villanueva of Cluster 4, National Government Audit Sector.
Based on the COA report, the BFP received a 90 percent rating, classified as “Excellent”, from the first Financial Performance Rating report.
Earlier, COA affirmed the actions taken by the BFP in relation to its modernization program, which aims to equip the bureau with updated systems and tools to keep pace with modern firefighting standards.
The COA report stated that there were no irregularities in the BFP’s actions in setting technical requirements needed to align with its modernization goals.
Meanwhile, COA’s Financial Management Performance Rating for 2024 reiterated that the BFP earned an “Excellent” rating for that period.
In this regard, a COA report dated 2010 noted that the BFP launched its Modernization Program in accordance with the government’s Comprehensive Fire Code of 2008, allowing the bureau to adapt to evolving challenges in fire prevention and suppression.
The same report stated that the program’s primary objective is to upgrade the government’s firefighting capabilities, including hiring more personnel and procuring adequate firefighting equipment, to ensure better protection for the public.
COA further noted that total funding for the Modernization Program from 2011 to 2017 reached ₱13.17 billion.
Last year, Senator Bong Go filed a bill in the Senate mandating the continued implementation of the BFP’s modernization program.
According to the COA, there were no issues with the program’s technical requirements, as they were consistent with the agency’s own performance audit standards.
The Commission also emphasized that the government should intensify its fire suppression campaign in tandem with the ongoing modernization efforts of the BFP.
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