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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES //>) Ft
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Republic of the Philippines ie
Quezon City “

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1500

H. B, No.

Introduced by Congresswoman BELLAFLOR J. ANC: ARA-CASTILLO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In moving toward the 2Ist century, the Armed Forces of t ¢ Philippines has begun thg
long overdue process of modernization. The program of mod: nization 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 a: obligation to safeguard our
sovereignty by modernizing the military; it also has the primary uty to ensure the prosperity
of the nation and provide adequate social services and an improved quality of life for its

ens,

Modernization of our Armed Forces should be accompar ied by better and improved
benefits for the people, which comprise it - Military personnel an« their dependents. The State
therefore has the obligation of ensuring that the welfare of rilitary 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 earnestly sought.

witiign ‘ANGARA-CASTILLO
endive

Repres
Lone District, ¢ urora Province


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

H.B.No.__ 1500

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 shall 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

services, 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 ducations as follows:


Educational level Amount of Support Duration

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

d) 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 Offive. 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 functions:
a) Toactas coordinating body for all issues and concem: of military dependents.
b) To formulate and institutionalize the necessary syste-n 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 Philigpines Savings and Loans,
Associations Incorporated (AFPSLAD) 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 implementaticn 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,