On 31 March 2026, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), led by its newly installed Officer-in-Charge, FCSupt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu, together with senior Bureau officials, conducted an official visit to the headquarters of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) in Binondo, Manila.

During the engagement, both parties discussed shared compliance challenges and explored strategic avenues for collaboration, including the potential establishment of a consultative and advisory council to strengthen coordination between the BFP and the private sector.

The program commenced with a solemn interfaith prayer, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. An audio-visual presentation was then shown to provide the audience — comprising representatives from various companies and associations — with an overview of CFBCI’s history and flagship projects. Attendees expressed admiration for the dedication and altruism demonstrated by CFBCI officers and members in contributing to national development and supporting grassroots communities.

In his welcome remarks, CFBCI President Gerald Chan formally greeted the participants and underscored the significance of collective responsibility in fire prevention. Referencing the theme of Fire Prevention Month, he stated: “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa.” This is more than a slogan — it is a call to action. “Fire does not choose its victims, nor does it respect boundaries. When it strikes, it affects not just one business, but entire communities. Therefore, fire prevention must be collective, deliberate, and relentless,” he said.

CFBCI representatives were subsequently introduced by English Secretary Mex Bausa, who also served as moderator of the discussion. Joining President Gerald Uy Chan were Honorary Presidents Samuel Lee Uy and Stephen Tan Sia, Executive Vice President Paul Yeung, Vice President Vicente Co, and Directors Jimmy Ang, Richard Chua Yao, Robert B. Chua, and Ellen Martines, along with several committee vice chairpersons, plenary members, and regular members.

Following this, FSSupt. Archie R. Andumang, Acting Regional Director of BFP-NCR, introduced the BFP delegation, which included top-ranking officials from the National Headquarters, five District Fire Marshals, and sixteen City Fire Marshals from the NCR, led by FCSupt. Kwan Tiu.

In his keynote address, FCSupt. Kwan Tiu emphasized the vital role of Chinese-Filipino associations in community safety, particularly through the establishment of fire brigades and the donation of essential fire safety and firefighting equipment. He outlined the Bureau’s agenda under his leadership, highlighting strengthened collaboration with the private sector, and assured attendees of the BFP’s continued commitment to integrity and excellence in protecting lives and property. His remarks were met with strong support, with participants affirming their willingness to assist the Bureau in achieving its objectives.

An open forum followed, during which participants raised various inquiries to the BFP officials. Among the topics discussed was the maintenance of fire extinguishers. The BFP clarified that annual refilling is not strictly mandated; however, regular inspection and maintenance are strongly encouraged to ensure operational readiness during emergencies.

Overall, the dialogue proved constructive, with BFP officials providing substantive responses to participants’ concerns. To wrap up the open forum, President Gerald Chan proposed the establishment of a “Bureau of Fire Protection – Industry Advisory Council,” which would convene regular meetings between the Bureau and private sector stakeholders to address fire-related issues and advance policy recommendations. FCSupt. Kwan Tiu acknowledged the proposal and indicated that it would be taken up internally by the BFP, with the prospect of implementation within the year.

The dialogue concluded with the formal presentation of a Manifesto of Support from the CFBCI to the BFP, signifying the organization’s collective commitment to advancing fire safety, strengthening compliance, and supporting the Bureau’s initiatives. In response, FCSupt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu expressed his appreciation for the strong partnership and conveyed his intention to return to the CFBCI Headquarters for future engagements, emphasizing that sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors remains vital in building safer, more resilient, and progressive communities.

菲華工商總會訊：菲律濱消防署（Bureau of Fire Protection簡稱BFP）在代理署長關張准將（FCSUPT Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu）率領下，聯同多位高級消防官員，於二零二六年三月三十一日（星期二）上午，親臨禮訪本會，雙方就消防安全合規挑戰及深化公私部門合作進行深入交流，並探討成立「消防署—產業諮詢委員會」之可行性，場面隆重而富建設性。

活動在莊嚴的跨宗教祈禱與菲律濱國歌聲中揭開序幕，隨後，播放了菲華工商總會會務簡介短片，生動呈現本會歷年來在推動社會公益、促進國家發展方面的卓越成果。

曾國強理事長致歡迎詞時強調，防火安全乃全社會共同責任，並引用菲律濱消防署消防月主題「Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa」（預防火災，你並不孤單），強調火災無情且不分對象，一旦發生，受衝擊的將是整個社區。他呼籲防火工作必須集體推動、持之以恆，這番鏗鏘有力的發言，贏得了全場熱烈共鳴。

西文秘書梅西卡擔任司儀介紹本會出席領導，包括理事長曾國強，名譽理事長黃書瑋、謝國萬，執行副理事長楊良田，副理事長許長泰，以及董事洪海濱、姚慶秘、蔡文微、施玲玲等，另有多位常務理事、理事及會員等，與會人數逾六十眾，現場陣容堅強且專業。

隨後，由國家首都地區消防總局代理總局長Archie R. Andumang准將介紹消防署代表團所有成員，包括署本高層，以及國家首都地區消防總局屬下的五大區域消防局長及十六位市級消防首長。

關張准將在致詞中，高度肯定華社長期以來對公共安全的貢獻，特別是在各地組建菲華志願消防隊，以及捐贈消防設備方面所展現的積極角色。他並闡述任內施政重點，強調將持續加強與私營部門的協作，推動制度完善，提升消防專業與服務效能，致力保障人民生命財產安全。

在公開論壇環節互動熱烈，滅火器的維護保養成為討論焦點。消防署官員特別釐清：根據現行規範，雖未強制規定滅火器必須每年重新充填，但「定期檢修」絕不可免。官員建議應落實例行檢查與維護，以確保設備在關鍵時刻能發揮效用。話題還涵蓋了「消防安全檢查證明（FSIC）」的年度更新流程優化，以及工商企業如何應對老舊建築的消防設施升級等實務議題。

曾國強理事長於總結時建議成立「消防署產業諮詢委員會」，建立官民常態對話窗口。此一建言深獲消防署關張准將的高度認同，並表示將啟動署內研議程序，力爭於年內推行，期能藉此優化政策溝通並提升問題解決效率。

在隆重的氣氛中，本會遞交了《支持宣言》，這不僅是一份文件，更是菲華工商總會對國家安全的堅定承諾。關張准將感性回應，感謝本會成為政府推動消防安全的強大後盾。他強調，公私協力（Public-Private Partnership）是社會進步的動力，未來雙方將持續走訪交流，共同為工商家園織起更嚴密的防護網。

是次會晤成效顯著，雙方在深化互信的同時，更確立了未來協作的具體方向。這不僅是本會參與社會治理的堅實里程碑，更充分體現了官民一體、共築安全社會的崇高願景。

圖片說明：

上圖：（左起）理事長曾國強，署長關張准將，名譽理事長黃書瑋，董事姚慶祕，Archie R. Andumang准將，西文秘書梅西卡致詞、發言、介紹及主持之影。

中圖：遞交《支持宣言》及贈送本會紀念會徽。（左起）許長泰，謝國萬，黃書瑋，曾國強，署長關張准將，楊良田，消防安全執法處處長Edwin P. Vargas，Archie R. Andumang准將，行政事務助理區域主任Flor-Ian M. Guererro。

下圖：官民一心共築安全防線： 菲華工商總會與菲律濱消防署（BFP）領導層於交流會後合影。前排消防官員與後排本會領導代表手拉手，展現出緊密的協調與互信，象徵雙方在推動消防安全與社會穩定上的堅定合作。