The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should resolve the issue of local government units' alleged inability to deposit fire safety regulation fees meant for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in a trust fund, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said over the weekend.

According to BFP director Louie Puracan, local governments have been spending 20% of Fire Code fees rather than remitting the full amount to the National Treasury.

Puracan said that several local government units are maintaining their 20% share of the Fire Code fees and are directly using the amount without the BFP’s approval.

In response to the BFP's request for legal advice last month, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the DILG should resolve the matter.

Remulla explained that the BFP's authority in the assessment of Fire Code taxes, fees, and fines is clearly vested in the law.

He added that the BFP may enter into an agreement with the LGUs that allows the latter to be deputized as assessors or collecting officers in terms of collection.

Remulla further stated that the DILG has previously settled similar issues in favor of the BFP.

He also responded to the BFP's inquiry on whether economic zone governing bodies can collect Fire Code payments, explaining that nothing in the Philippine Fire Code placed decentralized eco-zones on the same footing as LGUs in terms of the 20% share of the fees.