iMur Oi I'
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 15 P2:11
SENATE
S. No. 646
RiTtIV: ; iiV:
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEMBERS 
OF THE UNIFORMED PERSONNEL OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, BUREAU OF FIRE 
PROTECTION, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, 
PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, 
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, AND BUREAU OF 
CORRECTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Public service remains to be a cornerstone of a strong and resilient democracy. 
As enshrined in Article II of the 1987 Constitution, it is the primary duty of the 
Government is to serve and protect the people, and that the maintenance of peace 
and order, protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of general welfare 
are essential to the Philippines.
Among those who heed the call of public duty are men and women in uniform 
- soldiers, policemen, firefighters, and others whose duty is to ensure the safety, 
peace, and order of this country. These include the members of the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), 
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), National Bureau of Investigation 
(NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). 
The constant threat of being a casualty in the line of duty is often deemed a part of 
their job. Behind these uniformed personnel are families fearing in silence that their 
loved ones may have to make the ultimate sacrifice out of duty and in the name of 
love for the country.


These selfless sacrifices must not go unnoticed. The State has a moral 
obligation to support the families they leave behind, especially their children. It is only 
just that when the lives of the courageous men are lost or if they are permanently 
incapacitated in the line of duty, the government, in turn, assumes the responsibility 
of ensuring the welfare and future of their dependents.
This measure seeks to institutionalize educational scholarships for the children 
of uniformed personnel who have died or become permanently incapacitated while in 
the performance of their official duties. It is a small yet meaningful recognition of their 
courage, commitment, and the ultimate sacrifice they have made in service to the 
nation.
Therefore, urgent approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


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/,iliii- cf IL
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
25 JIIL 15 P2-.11
SENATE
s. No. 646
IWCElV’rOUV;....
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEMBERS 
OF THE UNIFORMED PERSONNEL OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
POLICE, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, BUREAU OF FIRE 
PROTECnON, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, 
PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, 
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, AND BUREAU OF 
CORRECTIONS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF
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 "UniformedPersonnel 
Educational Assistance and Benefits."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to 
recognize the vital role of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
(AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of 
Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National 
Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and 
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in the maintenance of peace and public order in the 
country and to ensure that the dependents of those who are killed in action or are 
permanently incapacitated while in the performance of their duty or by reason of 
their office or position are provided with educational assistance and benefits.
Sec. 3. Definition of Permanent Incapacity - Permanent Incapacity shall refer 
to physical or mental ill-health or infirmity which is:
(i) permanent;
(ii) prevents a member from pursuing his normal employment;


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(iii) seriously impairs his earning capacity; and
(iv) occurred while the personnel is on active duty.
Sec. 4. Grant of Educational Assistance and Benefits. - The surviving children 
of the members of the AFP, PNP, BFP, BJMP, NBI, PDEA, PCG, and BuCor who are 
killed or permanently incapacitated while in the performance of duty or by reason 
of their office or position shall automatically and without qualification be extended 
full scholarship from elementary to tertiary level, whether baccalaureate, formal or 
non-formal education or training program. The scholarship shall include payment 
of tuition and miscellaneous fees, allowance for books, school supplies, uniform, 
food, and transportation.
Sec. 5. Uniformed Personnel Scholarship Board. - The scholarship funds 
collected shall be managed and administered by an inter-agency scholarship board 
to be known as the Uniformed Personnel Scholarship Board. This board shall be 
created and organized within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
The Board shall be composed of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior 
and Local Government and Secretary of the Department of National Defense as Co- 
Chairs and one (1) member each from AFP, PNP, BFP, PDEA, PCG, NBI, and BuCor. 
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education 
(DepEd) shall also be members.
The Board shall develop the program's mechanics and delegate implementation 
responsibilities to the respective agencies' scholarship bodies.
Sec. 6. Authority to Accept Donations; Tax Exemption. - The Board is 
authorized to accept donations or grants in cash or in kind from domestic or foreign 
sources. These shall be used solely for the scholarship program. Such donations 
are tax-exempt and deductible in full for income tax purposes. The Board may also 
invest idle funds to generate revenue for the program.
Sec. 7. Appropriation. - Funds for this program shall be included in the annual 
budgets of the concerned agencies through the General Appropriations Act. 
Deficiencies may be sourced from personnel savings or the Mutual Personnel 
Benefits Fund (MPBF). Additional funding may also be sourced as identified by the 
Board.


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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations.— Within sixty (60) days from its 
creation, the Board shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement 
this Act effectively.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in force.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules, and regulations inconsistent with 
this Act are repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,