Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

4632
HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Dr. Nick Carden of the Renaissance Center said, "The people that we set up as heroes are
people that generally go above and beyond in terms of the call of duty, they do things that are
extraordinary.”

A hero is selfless, a genuinely good person, and someone gets the undivided attention of
all of us and causes change. Simply, a hero is someone willing to risk their own life to save another.
But after all their valuable services to our nation and our people, what happens to their loved ones
after they have died on us? Most of the times, their death is also the demise of their families.

Thousands of public safety officers, ie., firefighters, police officers, natural calamities
emergency responders, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are killed or die each
year in the line or active duty. With this death, the immediate dependents of the deceased children
orhis/her family will find it difficult to make ends meet like paying for the elementary, high school,
and tertiary education due to the skyrocketing miscellaneous and tuition fee cost. Our first
responders make sacrifices for communities across our country and beyond on a daily basis. Our
government has a deep and abiding obligation to the immediate dependents/children of ‘heroes’
who have made the ultimate sacrifice, The loss of a parent takes an unimaginable toll on a child in
many ways. This legislation is a commonsense step that this 18th Congress can take to ease the
burden that these children confront as they prepare to enter public elementary, high school, and
tertiary education.

Giving the immediate dependents of our fallen heroes a legal demandable right to public
education is our country's way to remember and appreciate the bravery and selfless service of our
‘men and women killed/died in the line of duty while protecting the sovereignty of our territory and
enforcing the laws of the Philippines and/or responds to natural calamities and disasters.

Itis our time to help them by helping their youth.

Respectfully submitted

‘CARL NICOLAS
Representative
5 District, Leyte


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4632
HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARL

FALLEN HEROES SCHOLARHIP FOR THE YOUTH ACT
"The CARING Act of 2019"

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

ARTICLE
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Fallen Heroes Scholarship for the
Youth Act or the Caring Act of 2019".

SECTION 2. Coverage. - This Act shall cover immediate dependents who are interested and
qualified to pursue elementary, high school, and tertiary public education of firefighters, police officers,
natural calamities/disasters emergency responders, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in
active duty who are killed or died or who has suffered total and permanent disabilities in the line of duty.

SECTION 3. Declaration of Policy. -

a) Section 12, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states: "The State recognizes
the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social
institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The
natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the young for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.”

b) Section 1, Article XV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution: "The State recognizes the Filipino
family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote
its total development.”

©) Section 3 (2), Article XV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution: "The right of children to assistance,
including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty,
exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.”

4) Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution: "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.”

€) Section 2, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution: The State shall establish and maintain
a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be
available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged.”

) Section 3, Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution: "They shall inculcate patriotism and
nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes
in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical
and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative
thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.”

2) Article 149 of the Family Code of the Philippines refers to ‘family’ as a "basic social institution
which public policy cherishes and protects.”



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms: - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined as:

a) “Active Duty" - shall mean active service rendered by an officer, enlisted man, cadet,
probationary officer, trainee or drafiee in the Armed Forces of the Philippine, Philippine National Police,
Bureau of Fire Protection, and service rendered by him as a civilian official or employee in the Philippine
Government prior to the date of his separation or retirement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for
which military and/or civilian service he shall have receive d pay from the Philippine Government and/or
such others as may hereafter be prescribed by law as active service.

b) "In the Line of Duty” - while working or doing what was expected in a particular job.
©) "Fallen Hero” - law enforcement officers who died/killed in the line of duty.

4d) "Immediate Dependent” - refers to the legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted, and not
gainfully employed child of the fallen hero.

e) "Total and Permanent Disability" - a fallen hero who is unable to work in his/her current
occupation or any occupation suited to by his/her education, training, and experience.

f) "Natural Calamities/Disasters Emergency Responders’ - a person who is among those
responsible for going immediately to the scene of a natural calamity/accident or emergency to provide
assistance.

SECTION 5. Objectives ~ The objective of this Act is to provide educational assistance to the
immediate dependent of the fallen hero who are killed/died, or has suffered total and permanent disability
while on active or in the line of duty by providing educational scholarships programs as a form of
recognition of the State of the bravery and service of his/her parent/s.

SECTION 6. Appropriations ~ The amount necessary to effectively implement the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. However, the initial budgetary
requirements of this Act, the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000,00.) is hereby
appropriated for this purpose.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Head of Agencies of the Department of
National Defense, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Commission
of Higher Education and other concemed agencies, shall formulate the necessary implementing rules and
regulations to carry out the objectives and efficiently implement the provisions of this Act within 90 days
afer its effectivity.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause: - All laws, orders, issuances, rules, and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

APPROVED,