CIBAC Party-List Representative Bro. Eddie Villanueva filed House Bill 10283 which aims to expand the scope of government financial assistance to include the surviving family members of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel who are killed in action (KIA) or permanently incapacitated while fulfilling their duties.

HB 10283 seeks to modify Republic Act 6963, or the law which currently provides special financial assistance, equivalent to an average of six months’ salary, including allowances, bonuses, and other benefits, exclusively to the surviving family or beneficiary of police, military personnel, or firefighters who are killed or permanently incapacitated while on duty.

“Our country being an archipelagic nation critically needs the service of coast guards who uphold safety, order, and sovereignty in our waters – especially in times of martial disputes. For this reason, it will be an injustice to our brave coast guards if their family members will remain uncovered by the special financial assistance currently extended by the government to other defense personnel. It’s high time we accord their families with the necessary support in case of untimely demise or unfortunate events in line of the mandate they took oath to serve,” Rep. Villanueva explained.

“We hope this bill will boost the inspiration and motivation of our coast guards who are willing to sacrifice life and limb to safeguard the safety of the country,” added the CIBAC solon.

The bill further broadens the scholarship provisions for beneficiaries by requiring the addition of a stipend for other school fees, a subsidy for specified textbooks and essential school supplies, an allocation for prescribed military science and physical education uniform, transportation expenses, and a monthly living allowance to the current entitlements, which solely cover tuition and miscellaneous expenses.

The scholarship assistance funds will be sourced from surplus license fees collected by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for firearms, which according to the bill, are currently not fully utilized.

“The current scholarship benefits of RA 6963 only cover tuition and miscellaneous fees. Under the proposed bill, we expand it by adding a reasonable amount of stipend for the surviving children of deceased or permanently incapacitated police, military, fireman, and coast guard personnel. This is a fitting recognition of their selfless service to the country,” Rep. Villanueva concluded.

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