THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
5 :'ti 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Qsmeiia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Morale is an important facet in keeping an efficient and capable Armed 
Forces. Unfortunately, the armed forces of the Philippines does not have a 
comprehensive education and training assistance program which affects morale 
of our enlisted troops. 
Continued education will be an important tool in providing opportunities for 
advancement for all AFP enlisted personnel. Training programs will enhance 
growth in careers whether inside the AFP or at the end of their service. 
This bill aims to provide for the creation of training programs for all 
deserving' AFP enlisted personnel for skills training and upgrading. 
As guardians of our liberty and way of life, the enlisted men of our armed 
forces deserve quality education and training. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this act is earnestly requested 
SERGIO OSMENA 111 
Senator 


J 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
AN 
EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
AND 
TRAINING 
PROGRAM FOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the 'Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "AFP Education 
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and Training Assistance Act of 2004." 
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SEC. 
2. 
Declaration of Policy. - To encourage enlistments and 
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reenlistments for service on active duty in the armed forces, the Department of 
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National Defense shall establish a program that will provide educational 
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assistance to all qualified enlisted personnel. This is in accordance with Article 
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XVI, Sec.' 5(2) of the Philippine Constitution which provides that the State shall 
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strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalist consciousness of the military, and 
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respect for people's rights in the performance of their duty. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act the following 
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definitions shall apply: 
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1. 
Enlisted personnel - those belonging to the following grade: 
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Private (E-I), Private First Class (E-2), Corporal (E-3)' Sergeant (E-4), Staff 
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Sergeant (E-5), Technical Sergeant (E-6), Master Sergeant (E-7) and its 
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equivalent in the Air Force, Navy and Marines. 
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2. 
Educational assistance for enlisted personnel - education and 
training opportunities provided to enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces under 
this Act. 
3. 
Dependent child - legitimate or illegitimate child of the enlisted 
personnel who is under eighteen (18) years of age. 
4. 
Surviving spouse - means a widow or widower who has not 
rem a rrie d . 
SEC. 4. Establishment of Educational Assistance and Training Program. 
- There is hereby established an Educational Assistance and Training Program 
for enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which shall provide 
education and training opportunities to those who satisfy the eligibility 
requirements of this Act. 
The program shall provide retraining for all qualified enlisted personnel of 
the armed forces to upgrade their skills or enhance their chances for other 
employment post-service. 
SEC. 5. Eligibility. - A person who meets the following requirements 
shall be eligible for educational assistance: 
(a) 
an enlisted or re-enlisted personnel in the Regular Force of the 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) - Army, (from Private to Master 
Sergeant), Air Force (from Airman to Master Sergeant), Navy (from Apprentice 
SeamadFireman to Chief Petty Officer), and Marines (from Marine to Master 
Sergeant); 
(b) 
(c) 
those who have served two (2) continuous years of active duty; 
those who have graduated from a duly recognized secondary 
school; and 
(d) 
those who meet such other requirements as the Administrator of 
this program may consider appropriate for the purposes of this bill and the 
needs of the armed forces. 
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Upon enlistment in the active force, all enlisted personnel shall opt 
whether or not to participate in this educational program. 
An enlisted personnel who is discharged or otherwise released from 
active duty before completing two (2) years of active service who is discharged 
or otherwise released from active duty under other than honorable conditions is 
not entitled to educational assistance under this Act. 
SEC. 6. Period of Eligibility. - The period of educational assistance to 
which such person becomes entitled is one (1) standard academic year (or the 
equivalent) for each year of the enlistment of such person, up to a maximum of 
four (4) years. 
SEC. 7. Education and Training Available. - The following education 
and training opportunities are available under the Educational Assistance and 
Training Program: 
courses at duly recognized colleges or universities leading to a 
certificate or diploma in an academic business, technical or 
vocational training; 
work and train in an apprenticeship or job training program offered 
by a company or union; 
a cooperative training program; 
a correspondence course; and 
remedial and annual refresher retooling course 
The annual promotion of enlisted personnel will be based on attendance in such 
refresher /retooling courses which should not be less than two (2) weeks in 
duration, aside from the meritorious services that have been rendered. 
SEC. 8. Duration of Entitlement. - The entitlement of any person to 
educational assistance under this bill expires at the end of the ten-year period 
beginning on the date of his entitlement. In case a member entitled to 
educational assistance under this chapter dies while on active duty, the 
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remaining years of his educational assistance will be transferred to the surviving 
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spouse or dependent child. 
SEC. 
9. 
Application for Educational Assistance. - To receive 
educational assistance benefits under this Act, a person entitled to such 
assistance shall submit an application for such assistance to the Administrator in 
such form and manner as the latter may prescribe. 
SEC. 
IO. Right of Member to Transfer Entitlement to Spouses or 
Dependent Child. 
(a) 
A person who is entitled to educational assistance under Sec. 5 of 
this Act may elect to transfer all or any part of such entitlement to hidher spouse 
or dependent child. 
(b) If a person described in paragraph (a) dies before making an election 
authorized by such paragraph, any unused entitlement of such person shall be 
automatically transferred to such person’s dependent children. A surviving 
spouse to whom entitlement the educational assistance is transferred under this 
paragraph may elect to transfer such entitlement to the dependent children of 
the person whose service established such entitlement. 
(c ) Any transfer of entitlement under this subsection shall be made in 
accordance with regulations prescribed by the Administrator. 
(d) 
A spouse or surviving spouse or a dependent child to whom 
entitlement is transferred under section (a) is entitled to educational assistance 
under this Act in the same manner and at the same rate as the person from 
whom the entitlement was transferred. 
SEC. 
11. Contributions. - Upon the approval of the application for 
educational assistance, and for thirty-five (35) consecutive months thereafter, 
the enlisted personnel shall pay a monthly contribution in an amount to be 
determined by the Board but not exceeding five percent (5%) of the applicant’s 
basic salary in accordance with the following schedule: 
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Kind of training 
Voca t iona I 
College 
College 
Duration of training 
two years 
four years 
five years 
SEC. 12. Administration of Program. - To carry out the purpose of this 
Act, the present AFP Education and Training Board under the Office of the 
Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training Policies (OJ-8) is hereby 
charged with the implementation of this law. 
The Board shall be composed of the following: 
Chairman 
- Deputy Chief of Staff for Education & Training, J8 
Member 
- 
Superintendent, 
Philippine 
Military 
Academy 
Commandant, 
Commandant & General Staff College 
G8, Philippine Army 
N8, Philippine Navy 
A8, Philippine Air Force 
OJ3, Chief Operations Division 
OJI, Chief Training & Travel Division 
OJ8, Chief Training Division 
The Deputies and/or Assistants of the members shall be automatically 
designated as alternate members of the Board. 
In case of reassignment or transfer of any member of the Board, the 
Deputy and/or Assistant shall assume the task and position of his predecessor 
until such time a replacement is duly designated by competent authorities. 
SEC. 13. lmplemenfing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of National Defense, in coordination 
with the AFP Education and Training Board shall promulgate rules and 
regulations necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 14. AFP Education and Training Fund. - There is hereby created 
a special fund, to be known as the AFP Education and Training Fund, which 
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shall 
shall 
be administered by the Board and from which the benefits under this law 
be sourced. 
The AFP Education and Training Fund shall be established out of and 
maintained from, the amounts appropriated pursuant to Section 16 hereof, from 
the contribution of enlisted personnel under Section 11 hereof, and from such 
donations, legalica granta in aid and other forms of contributions which may be 
received by the Board. 
SEC. 15. Annual Reporf. - The J8, AFP shall submit to the President 
and to the Congress of the Philippines through the Secretary of National 
Defense an annual report on its operations and accomplishments. 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be paid out of savings from the 
appropriations of the AFP for the current year. Thereafter, the sum necessary 
for the implementation of this Act shall be appropriated in the annual 
appropriations of the AFP. 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this 
Act, or a part or parts thereof is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the 
remaining provisions or parts thereof shall be considered valid and binding for 
the purpose of this Act. 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, act, decree, order, proclamation 
or regulation or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Appoved, 
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