Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 6035

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed measure seeks to grant Combat Duty Allowance and Combat Incentive
Allowance to Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliaries (CAAs)
who perform combat duties or activities.

The Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit or CAFGU was activated pursuant to
Executive Order 264 (EO 264) dated 25 July 1987 which was later complemented by Republic
Act No. 7077, otherwise known as "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act”.
Since its inception, the CAGFU has played a very vital role in the Government's counter-
insurgency campaign strategy. They form part of the integrated territorial defense system which
prevents the re-entry of insurgents in previously contested barangay units.

It is to be understood that the CAFGU is definitely not a paramilitary force but is a
reserve unit organized within a locality. Section 4 of EO 264 provides:

“Sec. 4. Whenever dictated by military necessity, and upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense and approved by the
President, the Citizens Armed Force may be called or mobilized to complement
the operations of the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or to
support the regular force formations or units. For this purpose, Active Auxiliary
Units which shall be part of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Units, may
be utilized, to be constituted out of volunteers to be screened in consultation
with the local executives and civic/business leaders. These Active Auxiliary
Units shall mean a degree of activation of military reservists short of full active
duty status. They shall not be vested with law-enforcement or police functions.”

Under Section 64 of Republic Act No. 7077, afteservist performing auxiliary service
shall not receive payment but shall be entitled t8jgeceive allowances and burial benefits as
provided by law. In recognition of their contin, the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) has allotted some other forms of support

ensure the CAFGU members’ well-being as
well as that of their dependents.


Be that as it may, the meager subsistence allowance that CAFGU members receive is
really not proportional to the risk and hazards they face while in active combat duty. Just like
the regular soldiers and policemen, CAFGU members have proven that they can also perform
the supreme sacrifice of offering one’s own life for the country. Admittedly, there is a glaring
disparity in terms of emoluments and benefits received by the regular soldiers and law
enforcers compared to the CAFGU members performing the same duty.

There is a need to remedy this situation not only to raise the morale of these men, but
also to alleviate their financial burden as well. More importantly, granting them these benefits
will be a recognition of their courage, loyalty, bravery and willingness to offer their lives in the
service of their country.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ch. fe

RO; (0 RU! B. BL IN
Representative
Lone District of Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
GRANTING COMBAT DUTY ALLOWANCE AND COMBAT INCENTIVE
ALLOWANCE TO CITIZEN ARMED FORCES GEOGRAPHICAL UNIT (CAFGU)
ACTIVE AUXILIARIES (CAAs) OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
(AFP) 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 “CAFGU Combat Duty and
Combat Incentive Allowance Act of 2017”.

Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to develop a
citizen armed force capable of supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines securing the
sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. Towards this end, it shall provide
the training and other necessary resources, including emoluments, to members of this armed force.

Sec. 3. Combat Duty Allowance. ~ A Combat Duty Allowance is hereby granted to Citizens
Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliaries (CAs) as created and defined
under Section 4 of Executive Order No. 264, Series of 1987, who are performing combat duties or
activities which shall be defined in regulations to be issued by the Secretary of National Defense.
The rate of the Combat Duty Allowance of the members of the CAFGU is hereby fixed at Three
‘Thousand Pesos (P3,000. 00) per month.

Sec. 4. Combat Incentive Allowance. ~ CAs who figure directly in actual combat against
members of various insurgent, terrorist and lawless elements, shall be entitled to an additional
Combat Incentive Allowance of Three Hundred Pesos (P300.00) per day, subject to the following
conditions:


(@) the operation must be for a specific combat mission that is duly covered by an Operations
Order (OPORD) or Fragmentary Order (FRAG-O) from the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP);

(b) the personnel involved in combat must be in the published task organization of the AFP

OPORD/FRAG-O; and

(©) the total additional Combat Incentive Allowance for each individual shall not exceed Three
‘Thousand Pesos (F3,000.00) per month.

The Combat Incentive Allowance shall be over and above the Combat Duty Allowance of
3,000.00 for qualified CAAs.

Sec. 5. Adjustments in the Combat Duty Allowance and Combat Incentive Allowance of
CAAs. ~ Upon the effectivity of this Act, any adjustment made on the Combat Duty Pay and
Combat Incentive Pay of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall also apply to the
Combat Duty Allowance and Combat Incentive Allowance of CAs.

Sec. 6. Funding Requirement. ~ The initial funding requirement necessary to implement
this Act shall be drawn from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund. Succeeding funding for
this purpose shall be included in the specific budgets of the AFP in the General Appropriations
Act, provided that the actual roster of CAAs of the AFP is submitted to the Department of Budget,
and Management. The validated list shall be the basis for allocating funds for the purpose in the
succeeding years.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. —\f any provi of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in force and
effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All executive orders, rules and regulations and other parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the date of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,