29/07/2026
OFFICIAL STATEMENT | ON THE ONGOING BFP RECRUITMENT PROCESS THROUGH E-HIRE SYSTEM
As a frontline public safety agency, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) remains firmly committed to maintaining a recruitment process grounded in equal opportunity, open competition, and merit-based selection. Protecting lives and properties requires employing the most qualified talent across a broad spectrum of academic and professional fields. To fulfill its statutory duties effectively, entry into the fire service must remain accessible to all degree holders on a fair and competitive playing field.
Unlike other agencies which are focused on law enforcement and criminal justice, the BFP operates within multi-faceted operational framework governed by Republic Act No. 11589 (The BFP Modernization Act) and Republic Act No. 6975. The BFP mandate is expanded into a more technical and specialized emergency response agency, responsible for operations beyond fire prevention and suppression such as responding to natural and man-made disasters, emergency medical services, search and rescue operations, and specialized CBRNE/HAZMAT incidents.
Given the scale of its duties and responsibilities, the BFP requires a pool of competent and highly-skilled personnel to man its stations. As such, the BFP extends its appreciation to the Congress for the allocation of 2,000 quota yearly for the agency in addition to its present strength. This year, the BFP is recruiting 2,504 new Fire Officer 1 (FO1) nationwide. To cover the agency’s expanded and multi-dimensional mandates, candidates are categorized into three specialized operational tracks: Fire Suppression, Technical Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The BFP is proud to announce the launch of the E-Hire Recruitment System—a historic milestone as our first online recruitment portal. This platform allows applicants to apply from the comfort of their homes and track their status in real time, eliminating the need to travel to BFP Regional Offices. Additionally, the system reduces financial burdens by removing unnecessary document requirements during the initial application stage. Ultimately, this digital transition minimizes face-to-face interactions and safeguards the recruitment process against potential influence or corruption
On Addressing Issues Raised by the PCAP
The BFP acknowledges the concerns recently raised by the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines (PCAP). At the outset, we clarify that the BFP does not discriminate against any profession. Our recruitment process is open to all qualified professionals under a competitive ranking system as provided by our CSC-approved Merit Selection Plan, in strict compliance with Civil Service Rules and Article IX of the 1987 Constitution.
The BFP recruitment process includes the Qualifying Aptitude Test through Digital Exam as an integral part of its applicant evaluation, a breakthrough in the country’s recruitment process. Unlike other professionals who are required to take the examination and face the possibility of disqualification in the qualifying exam stage for failing scores, Registered Criminologists may opt not to take the examination through the privilege afforded to their profession under Sections 34 and 35 of RA 11131 or they may take the exam to earn a higher score. However, all applicants must undergo the same stages of recruitment under the same competitive standard to ensure that merit and fitness are observed. For this reason, all applicants must have an equivalent numerical grade for their evaluation in the qualification examination.
However, BFP’s limited quota restricts entry into subsequent phases to the Top 200% of applicants. This optimizes the Bureau’s administrative resources and prevents applicants from undergoing costly and rigorous screening stages if they fall outside the viable hiring range. Qualified applicants who do not initially reach the top tier are placed on an official waiting list to fill eventual vacancies or quota adjustments.
The BFP assures the public that its recruitment procedures harmonize statutory privileges with constitutional principles, ensuring equal opportunity, fairness, and transparency for all applicants.
For data on the ongoing recruitment, including the number of applicants, total examinees, and those who have proceeded to the next stage of the selection process, please refer to the link posted on July 27, 2026.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1363017399310613&set=pcb.1363017599310593
