BENGUET caretaker and ACT-CIS representative Eric Go Yap asked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) not to discontinue benefits of policemen wounded in operations.
Yap pointed out these benefits are provided for by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
“These benefits are provided for by the Napolcom for wounded policemen are financial support which they should receive for the performance of their duties. This is the reason why I have asked the DBM that if possible, not to remove this particular benefit from our policemen,” Yap said.
Police officers and soldiers killed or wounded in action or operations can receive cash rewards of up to P500,000 and other benefits under the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel killed or wounded in action.
The cash benefits were rolled out by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of National Defense (DND), in cooperation with the Office of the President (OP) and supporting agencies.
Under the Special Finance Assistance (SFA), police in action or operation with total permanent physical disability will get P250,000. Those with major and minor injuries gets P100,000.
There will also be shelter assistance to the families of those killed and those wounded with total permanent physical disability P450,000; health care assistance through coverage of premiums of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) at P2,400 a year; maintenance medicines provided by the Department of Health for qualified beneficiaries of those killed or wounded;; and educational assistance through annual stipends for up to two children or other beneficiaries of those killed or wounded with total permanent physical disability.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier intended to start a trust fund for those killed and wounded in action or operation beginning at P1 billion, with more added each year.
Philippine National Police Chief General Archie Gamboa in an earlier visit to Baguio City said at present, there is an issue on double compensation on the part of the Napolcom.
“We have not resolved this yet with DBM but of course, the standing order now and what would be prevailing now is the stand of the DBM unless rebutted by the Napolcom. It is the DBM that appropriates money so once they say its double compensation, then that’s the only time that this benefits can be returned. Rest assured that the Philippine National Police will take a fair stand on that,” Gamboa said.