Preamble
WHEREAS, death and injury to persons and loss and damages to property by fire have reached alarming proportion that the economic and social gains of the society are being continually undermined; WHEREAS, in order to effect a meaningful reduction of the alarming fire losses, there is a need to develop national conciousness and involvement of all persons in the prevention and suppression of fires; WHEREAS, fire prevention and suspension require the adoption of uniform fire safety standards, the incorporation of fire safety construction and provision of protective and safety devices in buildings and structures; WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for an agency primarily responsible for the implementation and coordination of the activities of all sectors of society on fire safety, prevention and susppression; WHEREAS, in order to effectively implement all efforts to minimize the occurrence of fires and their destructive effects, full financial, equipment and personnel support by the government and the private sector is necessary; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree as part of the laws of the land, the following: