A PARTY-LIST lawmaker has proposed the granting of monthly gratuity and privileges to police officers on whom the Congressional Medal of Honor will be bestowed.
In filing House Bill 6069, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao stressed the need for Congress to enact a measure to grant adequate social services and financial rewards for every recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor and their immediate family and dependents.
“These rewards and privileges shall be more than just a mere recognition of their unparalleled acts of bravery and heroism,” Pagdilao, vice chairman of the House committee on public order and safety, said.
Pagdilao, a senatorial candidate, said the measure aims to strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalistic consciousness, as well as to uplift the morale of our police force.
Pagdilao said a Congressional Medal of Honor awardee is entitled to a lifetime monthly gratuity of P30,000 which is separate and distinct from any salary or pension which the awardee is currently receiving or will receive from the government of the Philippines.
Under the measure, an awardee shall also have a priority status approval of his or her housing application under existing housing programs of the government.
The awardee shall also be entitled to a 20-percent discount on the purchase of medicine anywhere in the country, as well as from all establishments relative to transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishment, restaurants, recreation and sport centers, the bill states.
Pagdilao said the awardee will also enjoy free medical and dental services and consultation in government hospitals and clinics anywhere in the Philippines.
An awardee’s son or daughter shall be given a quota to join the cadet corps of the PNP Academy and shall be exempted from taking the required entrance examination provided he or she also meets the technical qualification required by said institution, he added.
The bill says any person, institution or establishment who shall deny an awardee, his or her widow or widowers and or dependents or beneficiaries of the privileges and benefits due shall be penalized with imprisonment with a maximum of six years and a fine of not more than P300,000 at the discretion of the court.
In the event of death of the awardee, Pagdilao said, the said amount shall accrue in equal shares and with the right of accretion to the surviving spouse until she remarries and to the children, legitimate, or adopted or illegitimate, until they reach the age of eighteen or until they marry.