PNPA cadets should be government employees
Published Oct 6, 2022 12:02 am
'TOL VIEWS
Senator Francis N. Tolentino
The Philippine National Police (PNP) aims to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community.
The PNP functions as law enforcement, maintainer of peace and order, investigator of crimes, and is the entity in charge of bringing offenders to justice. As the Philippines’ law enforcement, the PNP’s role in the safety and security of the Filipinos is very crucial for the continuation of an orderly society.
The PNP cadet, one who is in pursuit to be a future member of our police force, enrolls in the PNP Academy (PNPA) for a four-year program, leading to a degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS). For four years, they undergo preparatory education and rigorous training, instilling a high sense of discipline, character, and leadership potentials to become highly effective public safety officers. Upon graduation from the program, the PNP cadets would then be appointed, with permanent status, as Police Lieutenant, Fire, and Jail Inspectors.
Unfortunately, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued CSC Resolution No. 020122, which resolved that PNPA cadets are not government employees. Accordingly, they are not covered by civil service law and rules.
What does this mean?
This means that PNPA cadets are not entitled to the salaries, privileges, and the necessary benefits in case of death, disability, or sickness that they suffer or acquire in the course of their training akin to that available to the regular PNP personnel. In contrast, however, the Philippine Military Academy is recognized as government employees covered by the civil service law and rules, and enjoy the relevant benefits.
It is my view that the PNPA cadets should be granted the status of government employees, affording them civil service eligibility, benefits, and privileges.
As enshrined in the Constitution, it is a policy of the State to promote the general welfare of its people alongside the maintenance of the peace and order of our society. It is within the ambit of the PNP to implement these crucial safety and security policies. As such, it is of utmost importance that we give preferential care and attention to those who aim to be part of our police force, including the cadets of the PNPA.
To remedy the non-coverage, I have filed, last Sept. 12, Senate Bill No. 1307 to confer the PNPA cadets their rightful status as government employees. In the hopeful passage of this legislation, I believe that the PNPA recruitment, admission, and retention would be strengthened to the advantage not only of the PNP organization but to the entire country.
Senator Francis N. Tolentino
The Philippine National Police (PNP) aims to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order, and ensure public safety and internal security with the active support of the community.
The PNP functions as law enforcement, maintainer of peace and order, investigator of crimes, and is the entity in charge of bringing offenders to justice. As the Philippines’ law enforcement, the PNP’s role in the safety and security of the Filipinos is very crucial for the continuation of an orderly society.
The PNP cadet, one who is in pursuit to be a future member of our police force, enrolls in the PNP Academy (PNPA) for a four-year program, leading to a degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS). For four years, they undergo preparatory education and rigorous training, instilling a high sense of discipline, character, and leadership potentials to become highly effective public safety officers. Upon graduation from the program, the PNP cadets would then be appointed, with permanent status, as Police Lieutenant, Fire, and Jail Inspectors.
Unfortunately, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued CSC Resolution No. 020122, which resolved that PNPA cadets are not government employees. Accordingly, they are not covered by civil service law and rules.
What does this mean?
This means that PNPA cadets are not entitled to the salaries, privileges, and the necessary benefits in case of death, disability, or sickness that they suffer or acquire in the course of their training akin to that available to the regular PNP personnel. In contrast, however, the Philippine Military Academy is recognized as government employees covered by the civil service law and rules, and enjoy the relevant benefits.
It is my view that the PNPA cadets should be granted the status of government employees, affording them civil service eligibility, benefits, and privileges.
As enshrined in the Constitution, it is a policy of the State to promote the general welfare of its people alongside the maintenance of the peace and order of our society. It is within the ambit of the PNP to implement these crucial safety and security policies. As such, it is of utmost importance that we give preferential care and attention to those who aim to be part of our police force, including the cadets of the PNPA.
To remedy the non-coverage, I have filed, last Sept. 12, Senate Bill No. 1307 to confer the PNPA cadets their rightful status as government employees. In the hopeful passage of this legislation, I believe that the PNPA recruitment, admission, and retention would be strengthened to the advantage not only of the PNP organization but to the entire country.