EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 1878
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.

Mh, Mn.

RUFUS B. RODR}GYEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
7 Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez ee
1878
House Bill No.
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 “Soldier's Family Assistance
Act”.

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 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.

(4) 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,