REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1645

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG, CABOCHAN HL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 2, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to establish, maintain, and
support, a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the
people and society.

Amongst the State institutions that abide by the mandates of the said section of the
Constitution is our Armed Forces. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) established a
responsive education and training system capable of building and developing the competence
of our uniformed men and women. The education and training system in the AFP assists their
personnel to be efficient in the use and employment of military hardware, equipment, and
resources, The courses also prepare individuals to perform their specific tasks within the

organization

At the age of fifty-six (56), military personnel are compulsorily retired from the service as

prescribed under Presidential Decree No. 1638, as amended by PD No. 1650, while others opt

for early retirement afte Yet.

attaining at least twenty (20) years from active military service.

the productivity of our Men and Women

in uniform extends beyond their a

e of retirement.
Our retirees are highly skilled due to the education and training they receive while on active

duty. Thus, their continued e

ployment would prove beneficial to our country if they will be

given the chance to

render their skills and expertise as civili;

n professionals.

hil ive duty. Their continued employment

d help generate incow ich is speat

economy. Their continued employment


after retiring would also generate tax revenues which the government can use to fund

programs for basic services.

To fill this gap, this proposed measure establishes an accreditation or equivalency system on
all the courses and skills offered in the AFP and convert them into a degree which is
recognized in the civilian sector to provide smooth transition between sectors and offer active
personnel of the military employment opportunities after their service in the AFP. This bill
seeks to provide competent men and women of the AFP access to opportunities that will
prepare them for high value jobs after their stint in the military.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

HON. MAN
Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List

=\BOCHAN IIT


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1645

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE MILITARY TRANSITION SYSTEM WITHIN THE ARMED
FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP)

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

ARTICLE IT
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title—This Act shall be known as the “Military Transition
System Act of 2016".

SEC. 2.Declaration of Poti

It shall be the policy of the State to provide immediate
support, benefits, and other form of assistance to members of the Armed Forces who have
been separated in active service that shall ease the transition from military to civilian life
through the provision of an equivalency course program and post-retirement assistance

As such, the State shall device a system of academic equivalency and validation of
skills acquired by the uniformed personnel of the AFP while in the performance of their
duties highlighting their relevant work experience and training in order to harness their full

potential and prepare them for hi

er Valuie jobs upon their separation from service.

SEC. 3.Coverage.— This Act shall cover all active uniformed military personnel from
all branches of the Armed Forces as prescribed under Presidential £ as
amended by PD No. 1650.

SEC. 4.The Military Transition System. — eters to the system designed to
professionalize the members of the military and promote career develo} after their tou

of duty in the Armed Forces of tt

Philippines


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SEC. 5.Elements of the Military Transition System, — In carrying out the Military
‘Transition Program under this Act, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in coordination with
the concerned agencies, shall establish the following:

a) Military Transition System Board;

b) Higher Education Course and Prior Training Equivalency Program; and,

c) Employment Assistance.

ARTICLE I
MILITARY TRANSITION SYSTEM BOARD

SEC. 6. Creation of the Military Transition System Board. ~ A Military Transition
System Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the supervision of the Department
of National Defense (DND) is hereby created to implement the provisions of this Act and for
this purpose shall exercise the following powers and functions:
a) Supervise the accreditation of schools of higher institution which will shall offer
academic equivalency program;
b) Monitor the performance of the accredited schools offering equivalency courses:
c) Evaluate and assess the performance of the military personnel involved in the
system;
d) Evaluate and review the implementation of this Act and recommend possible
interventions to meet its expected outcome:
@) Issue and implement all rules and regulations provided for in this Act
f) Set standard fees and other administrative charges for accreditation; and.
g) Exercise all other powers and functions which may be necessary to carry out the

provisions of this Act

SEC. 7. Board Composition. ~ The Board shall be composed of the followi

Members
a) One (1) representative from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be nominated
by the AFPCOS

by One (1) representative from HE

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be

nominated by the CHED Chairman:

ce) One ty

ative from TESDA to be nominated by the TESDA Chairperson:


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d) One (1) representative from an accredited institution of higher learning offering
course equivalency;

e) One (1) military personnel currently enrolled in an equivalency program in an
accredited institution of higher leaning.

The representative from the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall serve as the
Chairman of the Board. The Chairman and the Members shall be appointed by the President
of the Republic of the Philippines for the term of three (3) years and shall have the rank and
compensation of a Bureau Director.

The Board shall be organized not later than sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act.

SEC. 8. Annual Report. - The Board, thru the Secretary of National Defense, shall
submit to Congress an Annual Report on its operation and accomplishments as well as an
assessment of the implementation of the program

Such report shall include the following:

) total number of military personnel who participated in the program and the

associate degrees or certificates awarded:
b) data related to the employment status of military personnel who participated in the
program; and,

¢) other data or statistics that the Board may identif’: in order to properly assess the

implementation of this Act
ARTICLE Hi
HIGHER EDUCATION COURSEAND PRIOR TRAINING EQUIVALENCY

PROGRAM

SEC. 9.Curriculum Development. The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall

maintain, and update periodically, a current curriculum of courses necessary to meet the
needs of the military and their personnel. The curriculum shall provide character and
leadership training, military instruction. and other r ertaining to the required skills and
knowledge ofa personnel’s ehe i's



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SEC. 10.Course Equivalency Program. ~ The Board, in collaboration with various
higher education institutions, shall establish an equivalency program and standard for credit
on all the courses offered by the AFP to its personnel.

SEC. 11. Accreditation of Institutions Offering Equivalency Courses. — An
institution of higher education may offer an equivalency degree consistent with this Act after
they have been accredited by the Board. The Accreditation shall be based on the following
criteria:

a) The institutions are duly recognized by CHED to offer higher education courses;

b) The curriculum meets the standards provided for by the Board;

c) The performance of the instructors as well as the students enrolled in the
accredited higher education based on the performance measures to be designated
by the Board; and,

d) Other criteria identified by the Board,

SEC. 12. Hork Experience and Knowledge Evaluation, - CHED together with
qualified institutions of higher learning shall certify, after thorough evaluation, the pertinent
work experience and knowledge of expertise acquired by a military personnel from the
curriculum as well as formal and non-formal training toward the awarding of an appropriate
academic degree.

In case of deficiencies, CHED shall require an applicant to undergo remedial studies
or academic supplementation through formal course work offered by the AFP or by a
qualified institution of higher learning in order to satisfy pertinent requirements needed for

the awarding of a degree as accredited by an institution of higher education

EC. 13. Technical Skills Accreditation, ~ The AFP together with the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall develop a system of
competency and matching standards of all the skills training offered in the AFP. TESDA may
offer additional trainings among their list of trainings offered, given that the AFP identify

such trainings as beneficial to their personnel and organiz As such, they shall therefore

jointly conduct a review of all the skills training offered in the AFP upon the enactment of

ARTICLE I


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EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

SEC.14.Employment Assistance to Active Uniformed Military Personnel. ~ Aside,
from establishing an Equivalency Course Program, the Board, in carrying out the provisions
of this Act, in coordination with the Secretary of National Defense shall do the following:

a)

e)

f)

hall establish Employment Assistance Centers in appropriate military insta

Provide information concerning employment and training assistance, includin;

1) labor market information;

2) civilian workplace requirements and employment opportunities;

3) instruction in resume preparation, and;

4) job analysis techniques, job search techniques, and job interview techniques
Provide information concerning national and local programs, and programs of
military and veterans’ service organizations, that may be of assistance to such
members after separation from the Armed Forces

Conduct outreach to employers to assist veterans in gaining employment.
including conducting seminars for employers and, in conjunction with employers,
conducting job search workshops and establishing job search groups

Provide information and other assistance to retired members of the Armed Forces
in their efforts to obtain loans and grants from banks, and other financial loan
institutions.

Provide information about the geographic areas in which retirees will relocate
after separation from the armed forces, including, to the degree possible,
information about employment opportunities. the labor market, and the cost of
living in those areas (including, to the extent practicable, the cost and availability
of housing, child care, education, and medical and dental care),

Work with military and veterans’ service organizations and other appropriate
organizations in promoting and publicizing job fairs for such members

Provide information on existing trainings on entrepreneurship by

vernment

agencies as well as possible sources of financing for entrepreneurial projects of

the qualified retired members of the armed forces, anc
Loan opportunity for setting-up of a small business
C. 15. Employment Assistance Centers. ~ The Armed Forces of the Philippines

ations to ensure


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wider and easier access to the different Programs available to retiring/ exiting members of the
Armed Forces.

ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 16, Charges and Fees Waived. - All government agencies and
instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and
local government units (LGUs), shall not collect fees or charges from a Filipino citizen;
Provided, that such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and the
granting of licenses, proof of identification, clearance, certificate, or other document usually
required in the course of employment, and; Provided further, that the person is applying for
such license, proof of identification, clearance, certificate, or other document within one (1)

year after retiring/ exiting from the military service.

SEC. 17.4ppropriation. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of National Defense
(DND) under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the funds needed for the
continued operation of the Board shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act

SEC. 18./mplementing Rules and Regulations, — The Secretary of National Defense
shall, together with the AFPCOS, the Chairperson of CHED and the Chairperson of the

TESDA, shall promulgate the implementing

rules and regulations, orders, and other issuances

as may be nece

ary to implement and carry out the intent, objectives, purposes, and

provisions of this Act

SEC, 19.Separability Clause. ~ Should any part or provision of this Act be declared
invalid or unconstitutional, none of the other parts or provisions hereof shall be affected

thereby

SEC. 20.Repealing Clause. — jaws, rules and

ts thereof

inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified according!


SEC. 21.Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any daily newspaper of general circulation

in the Philippines.

Approved,