MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero is pushing for the establishment of a P20-billion trust fund to institutionalize comprehensive social benefits for all uniformed service personnel and their dependents, through Senate Bill No. 276.

Escudero said the proposed Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) would cover members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Corrections, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“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,” Escudero said.

The Senate President noted that past initiatives to improve the welfare of uniformed personnel—such as salary increases and additional benefits—were enacted through executive issuances and, therefore, remain vulnerable to revocation or change. Through SB 276, Escudero aims to make these benefits permanent under a law.

“Nararapat lamang na matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga uniformed personnel kapag may mangyari sa kanila—sa giyera man o habang nagreresponde sa krimen, sunog, at iba pang mga sitwasyon na peligroso. Ganun na rin para sa kanilang kaanak at mga mahal sa buhay. Responsibilidad ito ng ating pamahalaan,” he said.

The proposed P20-billion CSBP trust fund would be used exclusively to support the following:

• Lump sum financial assistance for beneficiaries in case of death or total permanent disability sustained in the line of duty
• Educational assistance through scholarships and study grants
• Financial aid for home construction, rehabilitation, or improvement
• Health and medical assistance under the Department of Health’s universal health programs
• Enrollment in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or a monthly subsidy of 40 kilos of rice or its cash equivalent
• Employment assistance to be facilitated by the respective uniformed agencies

Escudero said the measure is among the priority bills he filed in the 20th Congress in recognition of the sacrifices and risks faced by uniformed personnel in maintaining peace and order.