Uniformed Personnel Educational Assistance and Benefits

The oil TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 15 P2:11 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIV S. No. 646 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED PERSONNEL OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, AND BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF EXPLANATORY NOTE Public service remains to be a cornerstone of a strong and resilient democracy. As enshrined in Article II of the 1987 Constitution, it is the primary duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people, and that the maintenance of peace and order, protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of general welfare are essential to the Philippines. Among those who heed the call of public duty are men and women in uniform - soldiers, policemen, firefighters, and others whose duty is to ensure the safety, peace, and order of this country. These include the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The constant threat of being a casualty in the line of duty is often deemed a part of their job. Behind these uniformed personnel are families fearing in silence that their loved ones may have to make the ultimate sacrifice out of duty and in the name of love for the country.

These selfless sacrifices must not go unnoticed. The State has a moral obligation to support the families they leave behind, especially their children. It is only just that when the lives of the courageous men are lost or if they are permanently incapacitated in the line of duty, the government, in turn, assumes the responsibility of ensuring the welfare and future of their dependents. This measure seeks to institutionalize educational scholarships for the children of uniformed personnel who have died or become permanently incapacitated while in the performance of their official duties. It is a small yet meaningful recognition of their courage, commitment, and the ultimate sacrifice they have made in service to the nation. Therefore, urgent approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR poc

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 15 P2:11 First Regular Session SENATE RICEIVEOBY S. No. 646 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED PERSONNEL OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, AND BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Uniformed Personnel

Educational Assistance and Benefits."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to

recognize the vital role of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in the maintenance of peace and public order in the country and to ensure that the dependents of those who are killed in action or are permanently incapacitated while in the performance of their duty or by reason of their office or position are provided with educational assistance and benefits.

Sec. 3. Definition of Permanent Incapacity - Permanent Incapacity shall refer

to physical or mental ill-health or infirmity which is: (i) permanent; (ii) prevents a member from pursuing his normal employment;

(iii) seriously impairs his earning capacity; and (iv) occurred while the personnel is on active duty.

Sec. 4. Grant of Educational Assistance and Benefits. - The surviving children

of the members of the AFP, PNP, BFP, BJMP, NBI, PDEA, PCG, and BuCor who are killed or permanently incapacitated while in the performance of duty or by reason of their office or position shall automatically and without qualification be extended full scholarship from elementary to tertiary level, whether baccalaureate, formal or non-formal education or training program. The scholarship shall include payment of tuition and miscellaneous fees, allowance for books, school supplies, uniform, food, and transportation.

Sec. 5. Uniformed Personnel Scholarship Board. - The scholarship funds

collected shall be managed and administered by an inter-agency scholarship board to be known as the Uniformed Personnel Scholarship Board. This board shall be created and organized within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act. The Board shall be composed of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Secretary of the Department of National Defense as Co- Chairs and one (1) member each from AFP, PNP, BFP, PDEA, PCG, NBI, and BuCor. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd) shall also be members. The Board shall develop the program's mechanics and delegate implementation responsibilities to the respective agencies' scholarship bodies.

Sec. 6. Authority to Accept Donations; Tax Exemption. - The Board is

authorized to accept donations or grants in cash or in kind from domestic or foreign sources. These shall be used solely for the scholarship program. Such donations are tax-exempt and deductible in full for income tax purposes. The Board may also invest idle funds to generate revenue for the program.

Sec. 7. Appropriation. - Funds for this program shall be included in the annual

budgets of the concerned agencies through the General Appropriations Act. Deficiencies may be sourced from personnel savings or the Mutual Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF). Additional funding may also be sourced as identified by the Board.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from its

creation, the Board shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act effectively.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in force.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, and regulations inconsistent with

this Act are repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,