DWDD: AFP RESERVE FORCE | Senate Bill No. 1607

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jan 8): AFP RESERVE FORCE  |  Senate Bill No. 1607




NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Manila (DWDD) – In the past years since the passage into law of the RA 7077, it is undeniable that there are still certain gaps and loopholes that govern our State. Our reservists who untiringly and willingly protect and serve the Filipino people, more often than not, are unable to experience certain rights and privileges unlike our regular force. For an instance, numerous reservists continuously volunteer to offer their services in the hopes of maintaining the national security and they act on it without a glimpse of hesitation. Unfortunately, as they temporarily depart their civilian careers to serve our beloved country, they come back having been relieved or responsibility of their careers and they are experiencing discrimination in terms of job hiring, reinstatement, promotion, or any employment’s benefit. Even so, they unceasingly provide overwhelming sacrifices every time they respond to the State’s called to active duty.

The then Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9, RADM ROBERTO A EMPEDRAD AFP, who is now the Acting Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy, addressed these particular issues in the form of the Senate Bill No. 1607 also known as “An Act Strengthening the Employment Rights for Members of the Citizen Armed Forces or the Reserve Force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and for other purposes” which was sponsored by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino. It captured the very rights of our reservists that were often left unacknowledged. The following are the highlights of the aforementioned bill: it aims to protect the reservists from any form of discrimination in terms of employment and reinstatement processes after having been deployed or mobilized; it assures the reservists of their civilian careers after their duty with recognition of the special needs and assistance of those who are temporarily or permanently injured; and it intends to professionalize the Reserve Force and assure them of their employment rights.

So now, we, the Philippine Navy, invite you to take part with us as we advocate for the rights of our brave reservists. Join us and together let us support the Senate Bill No. 1607, “Reservist Employment Rights.” NPAO/

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/01/08/afp-reserve-force-senate-bill-no-1607/