PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The recently signed law lowering the height limit for police and other uniformed personnel may have opened a window of opportunity for the vertically-challenged, but Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the requirement for competence shouldn’t fall short.
Under the new law, the height requirement for applicants to Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) are now set at 5 feet and 2 inches, for males, and 5 feet for females, from the previous 5 feet 4 inches, and 5 feet and 2 inches for males and females, respectively.
“Let me assure all Filipinos that this law only lowered the height requirement and not the competence,” Dela Rosa, former PNP chief, said in a statement.
“Every new applicant benefiting from this law shall still be subjected to the highest standards required to be a member of the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor. The highest degree of patriotism and honor shall still be expected of them,” he stressed.
Dela Rosa led the Senate’s deliberations on the measure as chairman of the committee on public order.
Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1563 is in substitution of SBN 312 introduced by Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Sen. Panfilo Lacson; SBN 405 filed by Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino; and SBN 871 authored by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
“In the spirit of equity,” the law also grants the automatic waiver of the height requirement for members of cultural minorities and Indigenous Peoples, the senator also pointed out.
These provisions, he said, “are more welcoming and more accommodating to our vertically challenged countrymen who may not be blessed with height, but will stand tall to serve their people.”
“Naniniwala tayo na ang mga batas ay nililikha para sa ikabubuti ng pamumuhay ng nakararami; pero higit sa lahat, para mapangalagaan ang mga “maliliit”—figuratively, and in this case, literally,” dela Rosa further said.