RECEIVED

3 0'aN 2018
Republic of the Phili { y oxe
‘epublic o ilippines) \
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 9 *™"—4 a Li
Quezon City ,. BY 7 i
REGISTRATION UNIT

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS] BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

First Regular Session

H.B.No,_213

Introduced by Congresswoman BELLAFLOR J. ANGARA-CASTILLO-

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In moving toward the 2ist century, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has begun the
long overdue process of modernization. The program of modemization seeks to upgrade
facilities, and acquire equipment to ensure that the Armed Forces can live up to its
constitutional mandate of preserving our national sovereignty.

However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that a state has an obligation to safeguard our
sovereignty by modernizing the military; it also has the primary duty to ensure the prosperity
of the nation and provide adequate social services and an improved quality of life for its
citizens.

Modernization of our Armed Forces should be accompanied by better and improved
benefits for the people, which comprise it - Military personriel and their dependents. The State
therefore has the obligation of ensuring that the welfare of military personnel and their
dependents is promoted and improved.

This piece of legislation lays down the necessary framework of institutionalizing
benefits for military dependents and emphasizes on increasing benefits of the dependents for
Health, Housing Education, and other benefits.

Thus, expeditious passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

nll
wrth Biornro

BEI
Representative
Lone District, Aurora Province


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
7137

H.B.No.___

Introduced by Congresswoman BELLAFLOR J. ANGARA-CASTILLO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS TO MILITARY DEPENDENTS, CREATING THE
MILITARY DEPENDENTS WELFARE OFFICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shalll be known as the “Military Dependent’s Benefits Act of
2013.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It shall be the policy of the state to ensure the prosperity
and well-being of its citizens through policies and programs that provide adequate social
setvices, promote rising standards of living and an improved quality of life for all.

Moreover, the state recognizes the vital role of the military in the protection of our
country’s sovereignty and should therefore ensure the promotion and improvement of the
social and economic status of military personnel and their dependents,

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act the following shall mean:

a) “Military Dependent” - refers to the wife, children and other persons dependent on
the military personnel for chief support, duly registered with the Moral and Welfare
Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel J1 of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines.

b) “AFP Military Personnel” - shall include all active and incapacitated members of the
‘Armed Forces of the Philippines.

SEC. 4. Educational Benefits. Dependents of military personnel not exceeding four (4)
shall be entitled to educational assistance in any of the following educational levels with the
indicated amount of support per school year and corresponding durations as follows:


Educational level Amount of Support Duration

(Per year)
College P 6,000.00 4/5 years
Vocational P 4,000.00 2 years
Secondary P 3,000.00 4 years
Elementary P 2,000.00 6 years

‘SEC. 5. Health Benefits. Dependents of Military personnel shall be entitled to the
following health benefits to be provided by AFP Health Facilities located in various parts of the
country:

a) Free Hospitalization, inclusive of Professional Services, Medicines, and Medical

Supplies

b) Dispensary or Outpatient Services

©) Ambulance Services

@) Free Dental Services

SEC. 6. Housing Benefits. All military personnel and their dependents shall be provided
with the necessary housing subject to the eligibility and priority system set by the Major
Service/Unit Housing Boards of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Housing, especially Off-
Base housing in preparation for retirement will be provided additional funding.

SEC. 7. Commissary Benefits. All military dependents shall be entitled to the
benefit/ privilege of purchasing tax-exempt merchandise from any of the AFPCES units either
cash or salary check.

SEC. 8. Other Benefits and Privileges. Military dependents shall continue to receive all
other existing benefits and privileges.

SEC. 9. Creation of the Military Dependents Welfare Office. There is hereby created a
Military Dependents Welfare Office, herein after referred to as the Office, which shall be
attached to the Morale and Welfare Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J-
1 Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the coordination and recommendation of policies and
programs for military dependents.

SEC. 10. Functions of the Office. The Office shall have the powers and functioris:
a) To act as coordinating body for all issues and concerns of military dependents.
b) To formulate and institutionalize the necessary system and mechanism to ensure
the effective and responsive delivery of benefits for military dependents.
3


©) To facilitate and ensure the swift release of benefits to the Military Dependents.

d) To review existing benefits and recommend the necessary improvements to ensure
better benefits for Military Dependents.

e) To annually recommend to the Department of National Defense appropriations

for military dependent's benefits under the budget of the Armed Forces of the

Philippines.

SEC. 11. Coordination with Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings and Loans,
Associations Incorporated (AFPSLAI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Retirement
Separation Benefit System (AFPRSBS). The Military Dependents’ benefits office shall
coordinate with the AFPSLAI and AFPRSBS to facilitate and ensure the release of benefits for

military dependents.

SEC. 12. Appropriations. The Department of National Defense shall, every year allocate
a portion of their annual budget for the support of this Act.

SEC. 13. Rules and Regulations. The Department of National Defense shall promulgate
the Rules and Regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14, Repealing Clause. All Republic Acts, Executive Orders, Presidential Decrees,
laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 15. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any section or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining sections or parts not affected thereby shall

remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 16. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,