NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XVI Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides, 
“SECTION 7. The State shall provide immediate and adequate care, 
benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of 
military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans….” 
One of laws enacted to because of this Constitutional provision was Presidential Decree No. 
577, EXEMPTING DEPENDENTS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO DIE OR BECOME 
INCAPACITATED IN LINE OF DUTY FROM THE PAYMENT OF TUITION AND 
MATRICULATION FEES IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, 
AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 
This law is for our heroes who have sacrificed a lot to defend our country. The dependents of 
the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also share in the sacrifice and the burden 
of defending our country. 
It is high time to amend this law to give more benefits to members of our military and their 
dependents. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested, 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
May 29, 2023
1:46 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 577 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 577 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Section 2. Scope and Limitations. 
a. The benefit shall be extended to three (3) dependents of military
personnel in the active service who have died or were incapacitated
in line of duty since September 21, 1972 and those who shall die
and may be incapacitated in line of duty hereafter;
b. This benefit may be enjoyed for a maximum of fifteen (15) school
years;
c.
This benefit is transferable to any of the dependents of the military
personnel, at the option of the next of kin, provided it will not exceed
fifteen (15) school years;
d. The surviving dependent spouse shall lose this benefit if they
remarry before the age of 56 or are living with another person who
has been recognized publicly as their spouse. However, they can
regain their eligibility if the remarriage has been terminated by death
or annulment;
e. This benefit shall be available to the surviving dependent spouse
within fifteen (15) years from the service member's date of death.
f.
This benefit shall be available to the surviving dependent
children/minors until they reach the age of twenty-six (26) years if
unutilized from the service member's time of death; however, this is
subject to exceptions as deemed reasonable by the concerned
office.
g. Special Benefits: Dependents over the age of 14 with physical or
mental disabilities that impair their ability to pursue an education
may receive specialized vocational or restorative training, including
speech and voice correction, language retraining, tip reading,
auditory training, Braille reading and writing, and similar programs.
Certain disabled surviving spouses are also entitled to this benefit.
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h. This benefit is without prejudice to other educational benefits 
previously being enjoyed by the military personnel or his 
dependents". 
 
SEC 2. Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 577 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
 
"Section 3. Prerequisites and Standards 
 
a. Admission of grantees to any school shall be in accordance with 
existing laws and the admission policies of the school; 
 
b. As long as the grantees satisfactorily pass the course of instruction 
based on the approved standards of the schools, they shall 
continue to enjoy the benefits. ln case of failure in any subject or in 
a school year, the benefit shall be suspended and the grantee, at 
their option, may retake the subjects failed, or repeat the entire 
school year, at their own expense. 
 
c. The benefit shall be terminated in case the grantee is expelled from 
the school or is convicted by any court for any crime involving moral 
turpitude." 
 
SEC 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Chief, Philippine National Police, shall 
revise and promulgate the Rules and Regulations necessary to ensure the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC 4. Repealing Clause. – Any law, decree, ordinance, or administrative circular not 
consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC 5. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,