Press Release
February 1, 2016

Mentally ill soldiers' kids to continue receiving financial support
on majority age

The Senate today approved on third and final reading a bill which seeks to extend the financial support of surviving mentally incapacitated children of military personnel upon reaching the majority age of 21.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, sponsor of House Bill No. 772 or the proposed AFP Derivative Retirement Pension for Children/Survivors Act, said that military personnel with surviving mentally incapacitated children would have "regular and continuous financial support due to their condition and their incapacity to be employed and to fend for themselves."

Trillanes, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, stressed the importance of the national government's support for soldiers' sacrifices for the country.

According to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, the bill is part of Senate efforts to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of Filipino uniformed personnel and their families by helping them address their most pressing daily concerns: "It is only right and just that we return the favor and lend a helping hand to those who gave so much to this country, in their hour of need."

"The hazards involved in the performance of their duties should not put the welfare of their families in jeopardy, in the event that something unfortunate happens to them," Trillanes said.

He said House Bill No. 772 aims to amend Section 25 of Presidential Decree No. 1638 or the AFP Military Personnel Retirement and Separation Decree of 1979 so surviving mentally incapacitated children of military personnel would be certified by the AFP Medical Board to be "incapable of employment."

"Passing this measure is the least we can do to recognize the sacrifices of our heroes in order to repay them and their families for their unwavering fidelity and their life of service to the country," Trillanes said. (Apple Buenaventura)

News Latest News Feed