The House Committee on National Defense and Security, chaired by Iloilo 5th District Rep. Raul "Boboy" Tupas, approved the bill which seeks to strengthen professionalism and continuity of policies and modernization initiatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday, November 10.
The committee tackled the report on the substitute bill to House Bills 554, 941, 4048, 4050, 7677, 7939, 8056 and 8114 filed by Reps. Ruffy Biazon (Muntinlupa City), Manuel Cabochan III (Magdalo partylist), Johnny Ty Pimentel (Surigao del Sur), Alfred Vargas (Quezon City), and Tupas, respectively.
The said substitute bill was unanimously approved and adopted by members of the panel present during the hearing.
The age of compulsory retirement was set at 56 years old or at least 30 years of service on the fixed terms for the chief of staff and other major service commanders of the AFP after amendments were made during deliberation.
A motion for impact evaluation and assessment of the bill within five years was also approved by the panel.
Members of the AFP who were present during the hearing also gave their support and approval to the said House measure.
Meanwhile, the committee also commended the troopers of the Philippine Army's 44th Infantry Battalion, 54th Engineer Brigade, 102nd Infantry Brigade, 547th Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, and 53rd Infantry Battalion for their valuable achievements in counter-insurgency, anti-violent extremism, and successful dismantling of guerrilla fronts of communist terrorist groups and to the promotion and maintenance of peace and internal stability in Western Mindanao based on the House resolutions filed by Zamboanga del Sur, 2nd District Rep. Leonardo Babasa Jr.
The panel also discussed HB 555 which authorized the disposal and/or commercial development of certain military camps and reservations and creating for the purpose the Military Real Estate Development Authority. The said bill was sponsored by Biazon. (Melvin Sarangay)