Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero is pushing for the creation of a P20-billion trust fund that would institutionalize comprehensive social benefits for uniformed service personnel and their families, recognizing their role in ensuring national peace and security.
Filed under Senate Bill No. 276, Escudero’s proposal seeks to make the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) permanent through legislation. While similar benefits have been provided in the past through executive orders, Escudero noted that these were subject to revision or cancellation, highlighting the need for a more stable, long-term solution.
“It is about time that we look after the welfare of the people who have been keeping us safe. We vow to constantly look for ways to thank them for their service,” he said.
The bill covers members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), including their dependents.
The proposed P20-billion trust fund will be exclusively used to finance several types of assistance, including:
• Lump sum financial aid for death or total permanent disability sustained in the line of duty
• Scholarships and study grants for qualified dependents
• Financial support for housing construction, rehabilitation, or improvement
• Health and medical aid under the universal health care program and other Department of Health initiatives
Additionally, qualified beneficiaries would be enrolled in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or receive a monthly rice subsidy equivalent to 40 kilos. They would also receive employment assistance through their respective agencies.
In a separate initiative, Senator Erwin Tulfo on Sunday called for broad reforms in government aid distribution, particularly during disasters, and pushed for the creation of an emergency student assistance fund.
Speaking in a radio interview, Tulfo said a bill he filed seeks to impose permanent disqualification from public office on officials found guilty of playing politics with relief aid. He cited reports and personal experiences where local and national officials allegedly prioritized allies and relatives during calamity response efforts.
Tulfo also proposed an emergency fund under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program to help students cover sudden financial needs, such as boarding fees or field trip costs. The proposed aid would provide up to P10,000 per semester and be available to students regardless of academic standing, provided they are verified by their school.
He also called attention to inefficiencies in the delivery of social assistance, including excessive documentary requirements and the overlap of programs such as KALAHI-CIDSS and the Sustainable Livelihood Program. Tulfo recommended consolidating these to broaden reach and reduce bureaucracy.
While acknowledging criticisms that the Philippines is becoming an “aid nation,” Tulfo said government support remains essential given the high levels of hunger, unemployment, and poverty.
“Aid isn’t inherently bad,” he said. “What’s bad is when it’s abused, politicized, and used as a livelihood by those in power, while people continue to suffer.”
