SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
SENATE BILL NO. 1830
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 252

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN THE STANDING FORCE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT AND SPECIAL ENLISMENT OF PROVISIONAL ENLISTED PERSONNEL

Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies & Gentlemen:

Your Committee on National Defense and Security has the honor to sponsor Senate Bill No. 1830, under Committee Report No. 252 entitled "Provisional Enlisted Personnel Act."

Mr. President, being a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines requires a strong commitment to the organization, the country, and the Filipino people. Stringent guidelines for recruitment must be put in place to ensure that military personnel possess the necessary competence, integrity and character required for their positions. However, budgetary concerns continue to become a challenge in maintaining a strong and competent military force and in supporting the pension and retirement needs of the military retirees.

It is in this light that your Committee on National Defense and Security seeks the passage of Senate Bill Number 1830. This measure sets the standards and procedures to guarantee the competence of those who are recruited into the AFP, through the establishment of a new recruitment process for enlisted military personnel, while providing for their orderly administrative promotion and separation. The adoption of a new recruitment system would address the budgetary concern without diminishing the development capacity of the AFP.

Specifically, this bill seeks to accomplish the following objectives:

1. Increase the standing force of the AFP through the recruitment and special enlistment of 20,000 provisional Enlisted Personnel, who shall serve for five continuous years, and shall undergo the same training required of regular Enlisted Personnel;

2. Rationalize the pension system for all new enlisted personnel through compulsory membership to the GSIS; and

3. Ease the transition of provisional Enlisted Personnel denied of retention in the force after five years, from military to civilian life through the provision of education, training and scholarships and a commensurate separation pay, as a way of gratitude for their military service.

Although a substantial number of the provisional enlisted personnel may not be selected to stay in the regular armed forces, five (5) years of training, experience and practice of military discipline and values can provide them with invaluable skills and experience, which can be of advantage outside the military service. Enlisted Personnel released from active duty in accordance with the provisions of this measure shall be given preference and priority in hiring in the Civil Service, particularly in the law enforcement services and related agencies.

Mr. President, if passed into law, SBN 1830 hopes to help the government reduce the ballooning costs for salary and retirement benefits in the AFP, and provide for a long-term solution to the looming military pension crisis. Nevertheless, it hopes to boost the morale of the members of the AFP, thereby inspiring dedicated soldiers to consistently meet the AFP's high standards of duty, performance, honor and discipline.

Under these premises, this committee believes that it is in the national interest for this august chamber to immediately consider and pass this bill.

Thank you, Mr. President.