Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

INETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 1291.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 1, Article XIV, of the Philippine Constitution states that “the State shall
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

In addition, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) declared that it “believes that education is a human right for
all throughout life and that access must be matched by quality.”

The importance of education cannot be further emphasized. It is a security for
the future which parents strive to provide for their children, in the hopes that their
education can be a means for them to acquire a better life, a higher quality of living.

Given the current situation of the crisis in Mindanao and the growing threats
and dangers in the world today, this bill seeks to secure the education of the loved
ones of those who have sacrificed securing this country. This bill seeks to give back to
those who risk life and limb for us daily, by granting educational assistance and other
benefits for the dependents of our men and women in uniform who are permanently
injured or killed in the line of duty.

Our national anthem proudly ends “Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi, ang
mamatay ng dahil sayo”. It is only fair and just that we secure the future of the people,

whose loved ones suffered or even died securing our future.

For the foregoing reasons the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1291

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. LUIS JOSE ANGEL N. CAMPOS, JR

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION FOR THE CHILDREN OF
UNIFORMED PERSONNEL KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

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 “Kagitingan Free
Education Act’.

SECTION 2: Declaration of Policy ~ It is the policy of the State to recognize the
sacrifice and service provided by 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 (NBD,
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and
Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR). It is further declared that the children of the
foregoing servicemen and women shall be provided free education in all public
schools and universities if the said persons are permanently incapacitated or killed in
the line of duty or by reason of their office.

SECTION 3: Definition of Permanent Incapacity - For the purpose of this Act,
Permanent Incapacity shall be any physical or mental injury that permanently
prevents a member of the foregoing agencies from employment he/she would have
been qualified for were he/she not injured.

Moreover, any impairment which seriously impairs the earning capacity of a
member of the foregoing agencies shall be considered a permanent incapacity.

SECTION 4: Exemption from payment of tuition fees - Al surviving children of
members of the AFP, PNP, BFP, BJMP, NBL PDEA, PCG and BuCor who are killed or
permanently disabled while in the performance of their duty or by reason of their
office shall be exempt from paying tuition fees in any public school or university in
the Philippines.


Those who would avail of this exemption shall still be required to comply with
the minimum admission requirements of the school he/she wishes to enroll in.

No additional academic requirements shall be imposed on the surviving
children who wish to avail of the exemption from payment of tuition fees under this
Act.

SECTION 5: Which schools or universities are considered public - For the purposes
of this Act, any school or university which receives regular funding from the
government shall be considered a public school or university.

SECTION 6: Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ Within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education together with the Commission
on Higher Education, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to further
carry out this Act.

SECTION 7: Separability clause - If any part or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain
valid.

SECTION 8: Repealing Clause ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulation
or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9: Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon
completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,