Bill to see soldiers’ kids through school

MANILA, Philippines–Sen. Vicente Sotto III has filed a bill that would require the government to shoulder the education of dependents of state security personnel who had lost their lives or been rendered unable to work permanently while in the line of duty.

According to the bill, the assistance would cover schooling from elementary to the tertiary level and would apply to dependents of members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine Coast Guard.

Sotto said the service provided by these personnel involved risk to life and limb, which was why they should be given extra care and consideration with needs of their families addressed in case something happened to them.

“The risks inherent in the performance of their duties should not put the welfare of their families to chance. The government must provide for the family expenses of these government personnel in case of necessity,” he said.

The senator said providing educational scholarships was the least the government could do for the sacrifices of the officers, as he called on his colleagues to support the immediate passage of the bill.

Under the measure, the surviving children of the deceased or permanently incapacitated members of the security agencies would automatically and without qualification be given full scholarship from elementary to college in a nonexclusive institution.

The scholarship should include tuition, miscellaneous fees and allowances for books, school supplies, food and transportation.

Sotto said the funds should be taken from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.–Leila B. Salaverria