Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _2990

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

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, has been recorded both in official
reports and major newspapers.

While the government currently undertakes effort 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.

sa

JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 2994)

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF A
SOLDIER KILLED WHILE PERFORMING DUTIES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the
“Victims’ Family Assistance Act of 2010.”

SEC 2. Victim Family Assistance. - 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 any
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 lesser 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.

SEC. 3. Assistance Supplements, not Supplants Other
Benefits - No assistance provided 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. Funding Requirements - 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
implementation 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. Separability Clause. - If 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. Repealing Clause. - 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. Effectivity clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,