Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__2059

Introduced by HON. MA. AMELITA CALIMBAS - VILLAROSA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to rectify a rather iniquitous situation wherein the custodial force of
the Bureau of Correction in the Department of Justice receives far less
remuneration for their services than the jail guards of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology under the Department of Interior and Local
Government even as they perform relatively similar functions.

In the interest of justice and fairness, it is imperative to even the pay scale of the
aforementioned employees.

Moreover, our aspirations for a more efficient and effective corrections system in
the country could be more easily attained by streamlining the Bureau of
Corrections bureaucracy. This goal could be achieved early by promoting
employee welfare and professionalizing the staff thru education and skills
development

It is opportune that the Bureau of corrections was celebrating its centennial last
year. For this reason and since justice delayed is justice denied, prompt approval
Of this bill is earnestly requested.

MA. AMELITA CALIMBAS - VILLAROSA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _2059

Introduced by HON. MA. AMELITA CALIMBAS - VILLAROSA

AN ACT
STREAMLINING THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS BUREAUCRACY
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled.

SEC. 1, SHORT ‘TITLE.- This Act shall be known as “THE BUREAU OF
CORRECTIONSSTREAMLININGACTOF2007”

SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY.- It is the dectared policy of the State
to promote the welfare of its citizens. Toward this end, and to attain greater
efficiency in the service, the bureaucracy in the Bureau of Corrections,
Department of Justice, shall be streamlined by professionalizing the staff thru
education and skills development and upgrading employee benefits,

SEC. 3. UPGRADING. — In consonance with the aforestated policy, the
salaries of the officials arid custodial force in the Bureau of Corrections,
hereinafter referred to as the Bureau, shall be upgraded, with appropriate
amendments in the nomenclature of certain positions, as follows:

POSITION SALARY GRADE:

1. | Director V 29 | 30
2. | Assistant Director IV 28 | 29
3. | [Penal] Superintendent IV 26 | 27
4. | [Penal] Superintendent ill 24 | 25

[Penal] Superintendent I! 22 | 24
6. | [Penal] Superintendent I 20 | 23
7. | [Penal] CORRECTIONS Institution Supervisor 78 | 22



8. [Prison Security Officer Il] CORRECTIONS INSTITUTION 48 |22
SUPERVISOR

9. [Prison Security Officer Il] CORRECTIONS SUPERVISING 15 |20
OFFICER Ill

10. [Prison Security Officer I] CORRECTIONS SUPERVISING 11 | 48
OFFICER Il

11. [Prison Guard III] CORRECTIONS SUPERVISING OFFICER | 10 | 15
12. [Prison Guard Il] CORRECTIONS OFFICER I 7 113
13, [Prison Guard ] CORRECTIONS OFFICER | 5 | 10
14, [Wardress || — Correctional Institution for Women] 7 \413
CORRECTIONS OFFICER Ii

15 [Wardress 1 — Correctional Institution for Women]| 5 | 49
CORRECTIONS OFFICER |

SEC. 4. EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. — The Bureau shall
draw up and implement an educational program to upgrade the professional
knowledge and skills of its employees.

Without prejudice to efficiency in the service, members of the custodial force and
other staff of the Bureau may avail of grants, scholarships and privileges, local
and foreign, to increase their professional knowledge and hone
their expertise and skills

SEC. 5. INSURANCE COVERAGE. — Members of the custodial force shall
be covered by life and accident insurance while in the performance of their
Official duties and functions.

SEC. 6. HEALTH CARE SERVICES. — Employees of the Bureau shall be
provided with health care services thru a health maintenance organization (HMO)
until such time that a hospital or health clinics can be established by the Bureau
for that purpose.

SEC. 7. RETIREMENT BENEFITS. — Upon compulsory retirement, any
custodial officer from the rank of Superintendent IV and below shall be entitled to
retirement benefits computed on the basis of one grade higher than the position
he last held,

SEC. 8. OTHER BENEFITS. — Subject to the availability of funds, the
Bureau Director may grant employees such benefits as may be required by the
exigencies of the service.

SEC. 9. RULES AND REGULATIONS. — Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Secretary of Justice shall promulgate such rules and
regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act.



SEC. 10. APPROPRIATIONS. — The amounts required for the upgrading
of salaries, education and skills development, insurance coverage, health care
services, retirement and other benefits of employees shall be taken from the
budget of the Bureau of Corrections for the current fiscal year. Thereafter, such
amounts as may be necessary to implement this Act shall be included in the
Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. REPEALING CLAUSE. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. EFFECTIVITY. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
after its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation. The publication shall be done within thirty (30) days from the approval
of this Act.

Approved,