Senate proposes P20B trust fund for uniformed personnel benefits

Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero has proposed a P20-billion trust fund through Senate Bill 276 to establish a permanent social benefits program for uniformed personnel and their families.

The proposed fund aims to institutionalize the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP), which would provide financial aid and welfare support to members of the AFP, PNP, BJMP, BFP, BuCor, PCG, and CAFGU, as well as their dependents.

Escudero highlighted that previous welfare improvements were often reliant on executive issuances, which could be reversed, whereas this bill seeks to enshrine these benefits in law.

He emphasized the government's responsibility to support uniformed personnel and their families during times of crisis, including war, crime response, and other dangerous situations.

The trust fund would finance benefits such as lump sum financial assistance for death or permanent disability, educational scholarships, home construction aid, and health assistance.