REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _ 6785

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
3" District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution requires the State to provide immediate and adequate care, benefits,
and other forms of assistance to members of the Armed Forces, their spouse and their
dependents. This is in recognition of the perils that our military personnel face in the conduct
of their duties to the country.

The risks involved in the performance of their duties puts in peril the welfare of their
families should something unfortunate happen to them. Thus, it is but appropriate for the
government to provide dependents of our military personnel appropriate benefits should they
be killed or permanently incapacitated while performing their duty.

In accordance with the Constitution as well as in recognition of the valuable role of
the military in defending and preserving the security of the country, this measure provides the
necessary framework of institutionalizing benefits for military dependents and emphasizes on
increasing benefits on the dependents for health, housing, education, among others.

In view of the foregoing, expeditious passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

HON. KRISTINE/ALEXIE B. TUTOR


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 8785"

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
3 District, Bohol

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS TO MILITARY DEPENDENTS, CREATING THE
MILITARY DEPENDENTS WELFARE OFFICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Military Dependent's
Benefits Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to ensure the
prosperity and well-being of its citizens through policies and programs that provide adequate
social services, promote rising standards of living and an improved quality of life for all.
Moreover, the State recognizes the vital role of the military in the protection of our
country's sovereignty and should therefore ensure the promotion and improvement of the

social and economic status of military personnel and their dependents.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following shall mean:

a) Military Dependent refers to the wife, children and other persons dependent on the
military personnel for chief support, duly registered with the Moral and Welfare
Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel J1 of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines.

b) AFP Military Personnel shall include all active and incapacitated members of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines.


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Sec. 4. Educational Benefits. — Dependents of military personnel not exceeding four
(4) shall be entitled to educational assistance in any of the following educational levels with

the indicated amount of support per school year and corresponding durations as follows:

Educational level ‘Amount of Support Duration
(Per year)
College 50,000.00 45 years
‘Vocational P30,000.00 2 years
Secondary 30,000.00 6 years
Elementary P20,000.00 6 years

Sec. 5. Health Benefits. - Dependents of Military personnel shall be entitled to the
following health benefits to be provided by AFP Health Facilities located in various parts of
the country:

a) Free Hospitalization, inclusive of Professional Services, Medicines, and Medical

Supplies;

b) Dispensary or Outpatient Services;

©) Ambulance Services; and

d) Free Dental Services.

See. 6. Housing Benefits, — All military personnel and their dependents shall be
provided with the necessary housing subject to the eligibility and priority system set by the
Major Service/Unit Housing Boards of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Housing,
especially Off-Base housing in preparation for retirement will be provided additional
funding.

Sec. 7. Commissary Benefits. — All military dependents shall be entitled to the
benefit/privilege of purchasing tax-exempt merchandise from any of the AFPCES units either
cash or salary check.

Sec. 8. Other Benefits and Privileges. ~ Military dependents shall continue to receive
all other existing benefits and privileges.


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Sec. 9. Creation of the Military Dependents Welfare Office. - There is hereby
created a Military Dependents Welfare Office, herein after referred to as the Office, which
shall be attached to the Morale and Welfare Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for
Personnel, J-1 Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the coordination and recommendation of

policies and programs for military dependents.

See. 10. Functions of the Office. — The Office shall have the powers and functions:

a) Toact as coordinating body for all issues and concems of military dependents;

b) To formulate and institutionalize the necessary systenl and mechanism to ensure the
effective and responsive delivery of benefits for military dependents;

©) To facilitate and ensure the swift release of benefits to the Military Dependents;

4) To review existing benefits and recommend the necessary improvements to ensure
better benefits for Military Dependents; and

©) To annually recommend to the Department of National Defense appropriations for

military dependent's benefits under the budget of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Sec. 11. Coordination with Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loans,
Associations Incorporated (AFPSLAI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Retirement Separation Benefit System (AFPRSBS). — The Military Dependents’ benefits
office shall coordinate with the AFPSLAI and AFPRSBS to facilitate and ensure the release
of benefits for military dependents.

Sec. 12. Appropriations. — The Department of National Defense shall, every year
allocate a portion of their annual budget for the support of this Act.

Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of National
Defense shall promulgate the Rules and Regulations necessary for the effective

implementation of this Act.

See. 14. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is subsequently
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby

shall remain in full force and effect.


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See. 15. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are
contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,

amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,