REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

5935

House Bill No..

Introduced byMAGDALO Party List Representatives
Hon. Gary C. Alejano and Hon. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 2, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to establish, maintain, and
support, a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the

people and society.

Amongst the State institutions that abide by the mandates of the said section of the Constitution
is our Armed Forces. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) established a responsive
education and training system capable of building and developing the competence of our
uniformed men and women. The education and training system in the AFP assists their personnel
to be efficient in the use and employment of military hardware, equipment, and resources. The

courses also prepare individuals to perform their specific tasks within the organization.

‘At the age of fifty-six (56), military personnel are compulsorily retired from the service as
prescribed under Presidential Decree No. 1638, as amended by PD No. 1650, while others opt
for early retirement after attaining at least twenty (20) years from active military service. Yet, the
productivity of our Men and Women in uniform extends beyond their age of retirement. Our
retirees are highly skilled due to the education and training they receive while on active duty.
‘Thus, their continued employment would prove beneficial to our country if they will be given the
chance to render their skills and expertise as civilian professionals.

However, active members of the military are deprived of this opportunity as there is a lack of
system that accredits or recognizes the acquired knowledge, skills, and prior learning achieved
by members of the military while on active duty. Their continued employment would help
generate income which is spent in the economy. Their continued employment after retiring
would also generate tax revenues which the government can use to fund programs for basic

services.


To fill this gap, this proposed measure establishes an accreditation or equivalency system on all
the courses and skills offered in the AFP and convert them into a degree which is recognized in
the civilian sector to provide smooth transition between sectors and offer active personnel of the
military employment opportunities after their service in the AFP. This bill seeks to provide
competent men and women of the AFP access to opportunities that will prepare them for high
value jobs after their stint in the military.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

ha C. ALEJAN( F

(CISCO ASHLEY L. ACEDILLO-


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No._5935

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representatives
Hon. Gary C. Alejano and Hon, Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE MILITARY TRANSITION SYSTEM WITHIN THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP)

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

assembled:

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title.-This Act shall be known as the “Military Transition System
Act of 2015”.

SEC, 2, Declaration of Polic
support, benefits, and other form of assistance to members of the Armed Forces who have been

.-It shall be the policy of the State to provide immediate

separated in active service that shall ease the transition from military to civilian life through the
provision of an equivalency course program and post-retirement assistance,

As such, the State shall device a system of academic equivalency and validation of skills
acquired by the uniformed personnel of the AFP while in the performance of their duties
highlighting their relevant work experience and training in order to harness their full potential

and prepare them for higher value jobs upon their separation from service.

SEC. 3. Coverage. ~ This Act shall cover all active uniformed military personnel from all
branches of the Armed Forces as prescribed under Presidential Decree No. 1638, as amended by
PD No. 1650.

SEC. 4. The Military Transition System. — refers to the system designed to
professionalize the members of the military and promote career development after their tour of
duty in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

SEC. 5. Elements of the Military Transition System. ~ In carrying out the Military
Transition Program under this Act, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in coordination with the

concerned agencies, shall establish the following:


a) Military Transition System Board;
b) Higher Education Course and Prior Training Equivalency Program; and,
c) Employment Assistance.
ARTICLE IL
MILITARY TRANSITION SYSTEM BOARD

SEC. 6. Creation of the Military Transition System Board. — A Military Transition

System Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the supervision of the Department of
National Defense (DND) is hereby created to implement the provisions of this Act and for this
purpose shall have the following powers and shall exercise the following powers and functions:

a) Supervise the accreditation of schools of higher institution which will shall offer
academic equivalency program;

b) Monitor the performance of the accredited schools offering equivalency courses;

) Evaluate and assess the performance of the military personnel involved in the system;

d) Evaluate and review the implementation of this Act and recommend possible
interventions to meet its expected outcome;

) Issue and implement all rules and regulations provided for in this Act;

£) Set standard fees and other administrative charges for accreditation; and,

8)

Exercise all other powers and functions which may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Board Composition. ~The Board shall be composed of the following Members:
One (1) representative from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be nominated by
the AFPCOS;

b) One (1) representative from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be
nominated by the CHED Chairman;

One (1) representative from TESDA to be nominated by the TESDA Chairperson;
One (1) representative from an accredited institution of higher learning offering

a)

°)
d)

course equivalency;

°)

One (1) military personnel currently enrolled in an equivalency program in an
accredited institution of higher learning.

The representative from the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall serve as the Chairman

of the Board. The Chairman and the Members shall be appointed by the President of the
Republic of the Philippines for the term of three (3) years and shall have the rank and

compensation of a Bureau Director.


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The Board shall be organized not later than sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC. 8. Annual Report, - The Board, thru the Secretary of National Defense, shall
submit to Congress an Annual Report on its operation and accomplishments as well as an
assessment of the implementation of the program.

Such report shall include the following:

a) total number of military personnel who participated in the program and the associate

degrees or certificates awarded;

b) data related to the employment status of military personnel who participated in the

program; and,

c) other data or statistics that the Board may identify in order to properly assess the

implementation of this Act.

ARTICLE IT
HIGHER EDUCATION COURSE AND PRIOR TRAINING EQUIVALENCY
PROGRAM

SEC. 9. Curriculum Development, — The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall
maintain, and update periodically, a current curriculum of courses necessary to meet the needs of
the military and their personnel. The curriculum shall provide character and leadership training,
military instruction, and other matters pertaining to the required skills and knowledge of a

personnel’s chosen branch of service.

SEC. 10. Course Equivalency Program. — The Board, in collaboration with various
higher education institutions, shall establish an equivalency program and standard for credit on
all the courses offered by the AFP to its personnel.

SEC. 11. Accreditation of Institutions Offering Equivalency Courses. ~ An institution
of higher education may offer an equivalency degree consistent with this Act after they have
been accredited by the Board. The Accreditation shall be based on the following criteria:

a

‘The institutions is duly recognized by CHED to offer higher education courses;

b) The curriculum meets the standards provided for by the Board;

©) The performance of the instructors as well as the students enrolled in the accredited
higher education based on the performance measures to be designated by the Board;
and,

d

Other criteria identified by the Board.


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SEC. 12. Work Experience and Knowledge Evaluation, - CHED together with qualified

institutions of higher learning shall certify, after thorough evaluation, the pertinent work

experience and knowledge of expertise acquired by a military personnel from the curriculum as
well as formal and non-formal training toward the awarding of an appropriate academic degree.
In case of deficiencies, CHED shall require an applicant to undergo remedial studies or
academic supplementation through formal course work offered by the AFP or by a qualified
institution of higher leaming in order to satisfy pertinent requirements needed for the awarding

of a degree as accredited by an institution of higher education.

SEC. 13. Technical Skills Accreditation, - The AFP together with the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall develop a system of competency
and matching standards of all the skills training offered in the AFP. TESDA may offer additional
trainings among their list of trainings offered given that the AFP identify such trainings as
beneficial to their personnel and organization. As such, they shall therefore jointly conduct a
review of all the skills training offered in the AFP upon the enactment of this Act.

ARTICLE IV
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

SEC. 14, Employment Assistance to Active Uniformed Military Personnel. — Aside,
from establishing an Equivalency Course Program, the Board, in carrying out the provisions of
this Act, in coordination with the Secretary of National Defense shall do the following:

a) Provide information concerning employment and training assistance, including:

1) labor market information;

2) civilian workplace requirements and employment opportunities;

3) instruction in resume preparation, and;

4) job analysis techniques, job search techniques, and job interview techniques.

b) Provide information concerning national and local programs, and programs of

military and veterans’ service organizations, that may be of assistance to such

members after separation from the Armed Forces

©) Conduct outreach to employers to assist veterans in gaining employment, including
conducting seminars for employers and, in conjunction with employers, conducting
job search workshops and establishing job search groups.

d) Provide information and other assistance to retired members of the Armed Forces in
their efforts to obtain loans and grants from banks, and other financial loan
institutions.

@) Provide information about the geographic areas in which retirees will relocate after

separation from the armed forces, including, to the degree possible, information about


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employment opportunities, the labor market, and the cost of living in those areas
(including, to the extent practicable, the cost and availability of housing, child care,
education, and medical and dental care).

£) Work with military and veterans’ service organizations and other appropriate

organizations in promoting and publicizing job fairs for such members.

2) Provide information on existing trainings on entrepreneurship by government
agencies as well as possible sources of financing for entrepreneurial projects of the
qualified retired members of the armed forces; and,

h) Loan opportunity for setting-up of a small business.

SEC. 15. Employment Assistance Centers. ~ The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall
establish Employment Assistance Centers in appropriate military installations to ensure wider
and easier access to the different Programs available to retiring/ exiting members of the Armed
Forces.

ARTICLE V
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 16. Charges and Fees Waived. ~ All government agencies and instrumentaliti
including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units
(LGUs), shall not collect fees or charges from a Filipino citizen; Provided, that such fee or
charge is paid in connection with the application for and the granting of licenses, proof of

identification, clearance, certificate, or other document usually required in the course of
employment, and; Provided further, that the person is applying for such license, proof of
identification, clearance, certificate, or other document within one (1) year after retiring/ exiting

from the military service.

SEC. 17. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of National Defense (DND)
under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the funds needed for the continued
operation of the Board, pursuant to Section 13 hereof, shall be included in the Annual General

Appropriations Act.

SEC. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of National Defense
shall, together with the AFPCOS, the Chairperson of CHED and the Chairperson of the TESDA,
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations, orders, and other issuances as may be

necessary to implement and carry out the intent, objectives, purposes, and provisions of this Act.


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SEC. 19. Separability Clause. — Should any part or provision of this Act be declared

invalid or unconstitutional, none of the other parts or provisions hereof shall be affected thereby.

SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules and regulations or parts thereof

inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any daily newspaper of general circulation in

the Philippines.

Approved,