Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘THIRTEENTH CONGRESS

t Regular Session

House Bill No. 204

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to shift or change the title from “Prison Guard” to “Corrections
Officer” attached to the ranks of the Custodial Force of the Bureau of Corrections and to
adjust their salary grades accordingly. Department Circular No. 39 dated December 31,
1989 of the Secretary of Justice renamed the then Bureau of Prisons into the present
Bureau of Corrections. The rationale behind the changing of the Bureau's name is to
conform to the ongoing trends of modern penology — shifting from antiquated punitive
system of incarceration to the humanistic rehabilitation approach, The same principle is
also applied in this bill.

The change in position or title is not only appropriate but also legitimate and in
accordance with the ongoing correctional process with the view of surmounting the
obstacle in the field of corrections. Corrections Officer, a3 a position, carries with it the
name of the Agency itself similar with that of allied forces such as the Philippine
National Police with their Police Officers, the Bureau of Fire Protection with their Fire
Officers and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology with their Jail Officers, The
Custodial Foree must also cope with the dynamics of the times, Furthermore, the change
of title to Corrections Officer will streamline and upgrade the position of the Custodial
Personnel into its proper perspective to conform to the idea that the correctional world is
no longer the punitive and vindictive type but more on the human understanding
motivated by hope and justice.


The members of the Custodial Force are also employees of the National
Government who draw their salaries therefrom, similar to those uniformed personnel of
the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology and the public school teachers and therefore, in the interest of fair play and
equality, the corresponding adjustment in the salary grade level attached to their ranks
will put them at par with these mentioned government agencies.

Compared to the uniformed personnel of other agencies engaged in similar nature
of work as the Bureau of Corrections, the members of the Custodial Force are left out and
seemingly overlooked, Sensing the urgent need to boost the morale of the said personnel
and to prevent demoralization among their ranks, early passage of this bill is earnestly

sought.
RO; Wns kolo B, BIAZON

Representative
Lone District of Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 204

Introduced by Hon. Rozzano Rufino B, Biazon

AN ACT
CHANGING THE NOMENCLATURE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
CUSTODIAL FORCE OF THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS AND ADJUSTING
THEIR SALARY GRADES ACCORDINGLY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1, Title. This Act shall be known and cited as the “Bureau of
Corrections Custodial Force Act of 2004,”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote and improve the social and economic status of the custodial force of the Bureau
of Corrections. Toward this end, the State shall adopt policies that will protect the rights
of the custodial force and promote their welfare.

Section 3. Change in Nomenclature and Adjustments. The present title “Prison
Guard” attached to the ranks of the Custodial Force of the Bureau of Corrections is
hereby changed to “Corrections Officer” which is as follows, together with the needed
justification:

Salary
Grade
a. Director 7 30
b, Assistant Director = 29
c. Penal Superintendent IV to Superintendent IV 27
d. Penal Superintendent IIl to Superintendent INT [35
e. Penal Superintendent II to Superintendent I 24
f Penal Superintendent I to Superintendent I 23
g. Penal Institution Supervisor to Corrections Institution
Supervisor 2
Prison Security Officer II] to Corrections Institution
Supervisor 2 |
h, Prison Security Officer II to Corrections Supervising Officer
iit 20
i, Prison Security Officer I to Corrections Supervising Officer II 18
j- Prison Guard IN] to Corrections Supervising Officer I 15
k. Prison Guard Il to Corrections Officer II 3
1. Prison Guard I to Corrections Officer I 10



Section 4. Retirement Benefits. A Custodial personnel upon compulsory
retirement from the ranks of Corrections Officer I to Superintendent IV shall be paid all
his due benefits corresponding to a salary grade equivalent to one (1) rank higher than
that of his last position held as indicated in the table below:

~~] Salary
grade upon
Z retirement

Superintendent IV 28
Superintendent HL 7 26
Superintendent I _ 28
Superintendent I 24
Corrections Institution Supervisor _23
Corrections Supervising Officer 111 2
Corrections Supervising Officer 1 19
Corrections Supervising Officer I _ 16
Corrections Officer II ae
Corrections Officer I {(u

Section 5, Repealing Clause, All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly. :

Section 6. Separability Clause. Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions
and provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist
and be given effect in their entirety.

Section 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its approval,

Approved.