SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
SBN 498
CRN 112

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL INSURANCE COVERAGE AND BENEFITS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, AND PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD WHO ARE KILLED, WOUNDED OR INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PREMIUMS AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES

Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies & Gentlemen:

Your Committee on National Defense and Security has the honor to sponsor Senate Bill No. 498, known as the "Additional Insurance Coverage for Uniformed Personnel," under Committee Report No. 112.

Mr. President, the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police and other uniformed and law enforcement personnel are called upon to put their lives and limbs in harm's way to protect our people, our freedom and our democratic way of life. Their courageous and heroic acts, however, are sometimes met by unfortunate events in the field which cause their death, injury, or permanent disability. In the end, it is the families who suffer the most and bear the consequences of the sacrifices of our uniformed and law enforcement personnel.

Currently, our military and police personnel are covered by the Special Group Term Insurance which provides benefits to the families in case of the aforesaid unfortunate events. These benefits include an insurance coverage of P16,000; disability benefit coverage of a maximum of P15,000; additional Killed-In-Action benefit of P16,000 plus P1,000 burial benefit. These amounts, which are paltry by any standards, were last amended last March 2000, or a decade and a half ago.

Considering the risks our uniformed and law enforcement personnel face, these amounts are no longer sufficient to support the needs of their families and loved ones, especially with the cost of living continuously rising, in the event that they are called upon to sacrifice their lives and well-being for the public. It is in this light that your Committee on National Defense and Security seeks to provide additional insurance coverage and benefits for all members of the AFP and PNP, to include in the coverage members of Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Philippine Coast Guard, whose lives are also put at risk in performing their duties.

Under this proposed measure, the aforementioned uniformed and law enforcement personnel will receive the following additional benefits to their existing insurance coverage and benefits:

a) Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (250,OOO.OO) for those who shall perish while in the line of duty;

b) Up to Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,OOO.OO) for those who shall suffer total or partial disability, whether permanent or temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of duty;

c) Reimbursement of actual medical expenses up to but not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P lOO,OOO.OO) for those who shall be hospitalized or who shall require medical attendance for injuries sustained while in the line of duty.

Mr. President, we demand so much from our uniformed personnel. During times of calamity and crisis, they serve the front line in rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. In case of external threats, they come in defense of our country and our people. Even in the case of internal security threats, we require them to be at the forefront and to preserve the peace. Consistent with our aim to promote their welfare, it is only fair that we look after and provide for the families of those who would lose their lives or would be injured in defense of our nation and our people.

This is a timely and visible recognition of their significance in our country's security, and peace and order, especially now that the conflict in Western Mindanao is continuously escalating.

Although this financial assistance could never heal the pain of losing a loved one, the same can certainly help in the difficult and uncertain times the families are bound to face after burying their beloved son, father or husband.

In this light, I urge our colleagues to support the immediate passage of this measure.

Thank you, Mr. President.