The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has signed a new agreement with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) in connection with the scholarship program called "Pamanang Lingkod-Bayan Iskolarsyip".

In a statement, CSC stated that as part of the incentives under the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBi) Program of the agency, the Pamanang Lingkod-Bayan Iskolarsyip shall be given to the immediate family members of the civilian public official or employee who was killed in the line of duty or has died in the dedicated performance or pursuit of his/her official duties and responsibilities or functions as a civil servant. Immediate family members refer to the spouse, and legitimate and illegitimate children of the married deceased public officer or employee. 

It added that if the marital status is single, members shall refer to a niece or nephew receiving support from the deceased public officer or employee.

Under the scholarship program, a grantee will receive one free Bachelor’s Degree scholarship in accordance with Republic Act No. 10931 or the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017” with priority admission to any PASUC-member state college or university of their choice provided that he/she qualifies for admission and meet the school’s requirements. 

Up to two beneficiaries are entitled to the scholarship incentive. The scholarship covers tuition and other school fees, except, for fiduciary funds, for any baccalaureate programs. For postgraduate studies, one beneficiary will be given a discounted tuition fee.

Meanwhile, for beneficiaries of minor age, a joint CSC-PASUC Certificate will be issued to them stating that upon reaching the rightful age to pursue a baccalaureate program, they shall be entitled to the scholarship benefits under the PLBi Program.

PASUC is an association of public tertiary school-level institutions in the Philippines comprised of all 114 State Universities and Colleges under the Commission on Higher Education. The CSC-PASUC Pamanang Lingkod-Bayan Iskolarsyip was established through a MOA in August 2008.

CSC explained that the PLBi Program aims to acknowledge and pay tribute to slain/deceased "kawani" who displayed the characters of a "bayani" in the name of public service.

Civilian and non-uniformed employees with permanent, temporary, probationary, elective, contractual, casual and co-terminus status of employment, who were killed in the line of duty or those who died while in the performance of their respective functions may be nominated to the PLBi Program. Government workers who were entitled to compensation and death benefits under existing and prospective laws and issuances are exempted from the program.  

Aside from the scholarship incentive, beneficiaries of PLBi awardees are given the Pamanang Parangal sa Lingkod Bayani, a tribute where the awardee will be recognized during the flag-raising ceremony of his/her agency and a Certificate of Recognition signed by the CSC Chairperson will be handed to the bereaved family; and the Pondong Pamanang Lingkod Bayan, a one-time financial assistance of PHP100,000.00 which will be provided to the family of the awardee.

Heads of agencies or regional offices may submit to the CSC Regional and Field Offices nominations of qualified deceased or killed personnel within six (6) months from the time of death. For nomination procedure and requirements, read CSC Resolution No. 2100266 or the PLBi Enhanced Implementing Guidelines, promulgated on March 10, 2021.