By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Oct. 5 (PNA) — The Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2952 granting educational assistance and benefits to the dependents of soldiers, firemen and law enforcers killed in action or permanently incapacitated while performing their duties.
Senators Vicente Sotto III, Antonio Trillanes IV and Pia Cayetano filed the bill, known as an act granting educational assistance and benefits to the dependents of all 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), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
“This measure seeks to address the need to improve the government’s assistance to the dependents of our uniformed personnel and law enforcement agents who are killed in action or are permanently incapacitated, as a way of giving back and honouring their sacrifices for the country,” Senate President Franklin Drilon said.
Under the bill, beneficiaries shall be extended full scholarship from elementary to tertiary level whether baccalaureate, formal or non-formal education or training program in a non-exclusive school or institution.
The scholarship privilege would include the payment of tuition and miscellaneous fees, allowance for books and school supplies, as well as allowance for food and transportation, according to the bill. (PNA)