Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 20) — Senator Bam Aquino is pushing for a bill to give reservists of the Armed Forces job security while serving the military.
Senate Bill 1607, or the Reservist Employment Rights Act, was filed by Aquino on October 25
A statement released by the office of Senator Aquino said the bill aims to “bolster further the Reserve Force Development program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and ensure that we encourage more professionals, specialists, and subject matter experts to help in our national security by being active reserve officers of the AFP. “
The bill states employed reservists should not be discriminated against by employers in terms of salary or privileges, among others.
Reservists shall also be protected from being made to use their leave credits for military service they are required to render, and injured reservists can be reinstated as long as they can capably perform the duties they were employed to do.
The bill will also make it illegal for employers to refuse employment or discriminate against reservists because of duties to the military.
Aquino said the bill is “one of the ways we show our gratitude” for the service given by reservists.
Ranking officials from the Air Force, Army, and Navy, as well as other stakeholders expressed their full backing of Senate Bill No. 1607.
According to Rear Admiral Roberto Empedrad, the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs, SBN 1607 is the much needed reinforcement to fully implement Section 32 of RA 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces or Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act.
