The 15,500-strong BFP will be joined by the more than 8,000 members of civilian volunteer fire brigades and rescue teams.
Reyes, who is also chairman of the Inter-Agency Anti-Arson National Committee, is expected to speak on the intensification of a national drive to instill the awareness of citizens on fire prevention and protection, with community participation.
BFP Chief Director Rogelio F. Asignado, who will lead BFP officers and men in welcoming Reyes, other government officials, and heads of civic groups and non-government organizations, said fire safety measures as provided for in Presidential Decree No. 1185, the Fire Code of the Philippines and Regulations, are major factors in the success of fire protection efforts.
"By ensuring that structures and establishments are designed, constructed, and equipped with the required fire and life safety systems, destructive fires, deaths and injuries can be avoided," Asignado said.
In 2004, he said, the BFP conducted 315,212 fire safety inspections, a 2.23 percent increase over 311,899 inspections in 2003.
Of this total, 249,232 establishments or 79.06 percent were found to have complied with the safety requirements of the Fire Code.
"A total of 65,980 or 20.94 percent of the establishments inspected by BFP men nationwide, will still have to comply with the fire safety requirements within the grace period prescribed by the Fire Code," Asignado said.
Asignado said there is a major shortage of personnel in the bureau. Considering the 84 million population of the country, the BFP needs about 42,000 firemen, he said.
The budget approved for the BFP for 2005 was only P2.7 billion, he said, "when what was proposed and asked by the bureau was some P5 billion." About 82 percent of the budget goes to payment of salaries and other minimum logistical needs. The budget for operations is augmented by special funds from local government units and countrywide development funds of lawmakers, but these are not regular, he said.
"But we have to be content with what we have. Delivery of fire safety and protection service to the people is what matters to us," Asignado said.
A major highlight in the anniversary is the giving of awards to deserving BFP personnel, who will receive "Medalya ng Kagitingan" and "Medalya ng Papuri."
DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order Marius Corpus and Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando will deliver inspirational speeches.
The first fire department in the country was established in Manila during the American regime in 1900. In 1940, fire departments were established in neighboring cities and towns.
In 1975, the fire departments in the cities and towns were integrated into a national organization called the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police (PC-INP).
In 1990, Republic Act No. 6975, established a separate fire protection bureau.
