EXPLANATORY NOTE
The  onslaught  of  terrorist  activities  and  the  seeming  proliferation  of  violent  acts
perpetrated against the government and other related establishments place soldiers' lives in
jeopardy.
Admittedly or not,  these  individuals  are  at high  risk,  now more than  ever.  In fact,  in
the  Southern  part of the  country,  a  number of recent  incidents  involving  alleged  abduction
and worse, slaughter of soldiers, while performing duties, have been recorded both in official
reports and major newspapers.
While   the   government   currently   undertakes   efforts   to   protect   the   lives   of   its
employees,  the  proposed  measure  aims  to  provide  assistance  to  immediate  families  of
soldiers,  who  were  killed  while  performing  their  solemn  task  of  protecting  the  people  and
defending our country.
Through this bill, these immediate families shall  not be displaced  in the event of any
untoward incident that may happen to their loved ones working in government.
Hence, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus a. Rodriguez
House Bill No.  RE2
AN ACT
TO   PROVIDE  ASSISTANCE   TO  THE   IMMEDIATE   FAMILY  OF  A  SOLDIER   KILLED
WHILE PERFORIvllNG DUTIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it erl?ct.ed  by the Senate and  House of Representatives of the  Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION  1.  SAort 77.I/e. -This Act shall  be known as the  "So/di.er's Fami./y Assi-stance
Acf„.
SEC   2.   Wcfi.in  Fami./y  Assi.stance.   -  The   immediate  family  of  a   soldier  killed   while
performing duties shall receive the following amounts and forms of assistance:
(1)   FUNERAL  ASSISTANCE-A  payment  of  up  to   P150,000.00  to  the  surviving
spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin, as determined in accordance with appropriate
laws, to assist with funeral expenses of the victim.
(2) DEATH BENEFIT-A payment of P150,000.00 to the surviving spouse, dependent
child, or other next of kin, as determined in accordance with appropriate laws.
(3) LIVING ASSISTANCE- Beginning one year after the date of death of the victim, a
payment of--
(a)  P2,000.00  per  month  to  the  surviving  spouse,   until  the  earlier  of  the
spouse's death or remarriage; and
(b)  P500.00  per month to each dependent child,  until  reaching the age of 18
years.
(4) DEPENDENT UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE-
(a)   IN   GENERAL-   For   each   dependent   child   enrolled   or   accepted   for
enrollment  in  a  part-time  or  full-time  program  of  undergraduate  instruction  at  any
state   college   and   university,   an   annual   amount   not  to   exceed   the   amount  of
P5,000.00 or half the total annual cost of attendance at such institution,
(b) DURATION OF ASSISTANCE-A dependent child may receive assistance
under this paragraph for not more than a total of 5 years.
(c) GOOD STANDING REQUIRED-The dependent child must maintain good
standing at the institution in order to receive assistance under this paragraph.
(d)   EFFECT   OF   PARENTAL   DEATH   OR   REMARRIAGE-  The   death   or
remarriage  of the surviving  spouse  does  not affect a  dependent child's  eligibility for
assistance under this paragraph.


SEE 3. _Assistance supplements, not supplants other benefits - No assiistance prcN.ided
under  this  Act  may  supplant  any  benefit  or  other  compensation  paid  or  payable  to  the
surviving spouse, dependent child, or other next of kin of the victim by the victim's employer,
school,  school  district,  or  local  or State  government,  or  by any  insurance  coverage  of the
victim.
SEC 4. Fundi`ng requ/.remenfs - An initial amount necessary to implement the provisions of
this Act shall be drawn from the budget of the Office of the President. Thereafter,  beginning
the jmplementation of the next annual  budget, the same shall  be incorporated  in the annual
appropriations allocated for the Government Service Insurance System and Commission on
Higher Education to implement the provisions of Section 2,  pars.  1, 2,  3, and Section 2,  par.
4 respectively.
SEC   5.   Separabi./i.fy   C/ause.   -   lf   any   provision   or   part   hereof,   is   held   invalid   or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.
SEC 6. Repea//.ng C/ause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of  instruction,  administrative  order,  rule  or  regulation  contrary  to,  or  inconsistent  with,  the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SEC 7. Effecf7.y/.fy c/ause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,
Approved,