A PHILIPPINE National Police Reorganization Plan approved by the House of Representatives gives PNP Cadets the status same to that of a permanent government employee who shall receive the same salary grade level of public school teachers, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

As contained in the amended PNP Reorganization Plan, Section 36 of Republic Act No. 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 will be amended to read as follows:

“Status of Members of the Philippine National Police. –The uniformed members of the PNP including Police Cadets shall be considered employees of the National Government and shall draw their salaries therefrom.

“They shall have Salary Grade Levels provided under Executive Order No. 107 Series of 1999; provided, that Police Cadets shall have Salary Grade Level at least equivalent to that of Police Executive Master Sergeant.

The amendments to RA 8551 also said that “PNP members assigned in Metropolitan Manila, chartered cities and first-class municipalities may be paid financial incentive by the local government unit concerned subject to the availability of funds.”

On the other hand, Section 32 of RA 8551 is being amended to read as follows:“Section 32. Promotion by Virtue of Position.—Any PNP personnel appointed or designated to any key position whose rank is lower than that which is required for such position shall, after six months of occupying the same, upon recommendation by the National Police Commission, be entitled to a rank adjustment corresponding to the position.

Provided, that the personnel shall not be reassigned to a position calling for a higher rank until after two years from the date of such rank adjustment: Provided, further that any personnel appointed or designated to the position who does not possess the established minimum qualifications therefor shall occupy the same for not more than six months without prior reappointment or extension.

The House Committee on Public Order and Safety chaired by Laguna (1st District) Representative Dan S. Fernandez has approved the proposed reorganization plan of the police force, said PNP Director for Plans, Major General Bernard M. Banac.

According to the official, the House Committee on Public Order and Safety has adopted the report and draft bill prepared by Technical Working Group chairman, retired Police General-turned Antipolo City (2nd District) Rep. Romeo M. Acop.

“It will be presented during the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives. Hopefully, it will be categorized as Priority Bills and certified as urgent by both Houses,” said the official who has been praised by PNP chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin for his hard work in iracle work’ in Congress.

Maj. Gen. Banac, a former PNP spokesperson who also became a PNP Training Service director and Police Regional Office 8 commander in Eastern Visayas said they have gotten the full support of House Speaker Romualdez and Senate President Zubiri in their bid to further reform the 227,000-strong police force and improve its ‘move, shoot, communicate and investigate’ capabilities under the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.

Under the proposed PNP Reorganization Plan, the PNP chief will likewise be given the authority to appoint all cadets of the PNP Academy.

As proposed, a new Section 30-A will be inserted in RA 6975 or the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990 in which ‘all cadets of the Philippine National Police Academy shall be appointed by the Chief of the PNP, or upon his authority by the PNPA Director.

The new law says that the PNPA cadets shall hold the position of Police Cadet in Temporary Status which shall be renewed every year until their graduation of separation from the Academy for just cause in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations, whichever comes first.

The proposed new law says that Police Cadets shall be entitled to all salaries, benefits and other emoluments given to a Police Executive Master Sergeant, in accordance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 6975 as amended by RA No. 11279 or the Act Transferring the PNPA and the National Police Training Institute from the Philippine Public Safety College to the PNP

Gen. Azurin earlier said that they have sought the assistance of the 19th Congress in enacting a law that will confer PNP Academy cadets the status of a government employee.

As proposed by the PNP Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development headed by Major Gen. Jon A. Arnaldo, the legislative bill will grant upon entry to qualified PNP cadets the status of government employees of the National Government.

As such, they will carry with them Civil Service Eligibility for appointment, therefore entitling them to salaries, privileges and necessary benefits appertaining to the position.

According to Maj. Gen. Banac, they are pushing for insertions in the provisions of the law which will provide for the following:

Minimum qualifications for the appointment as PNPA Cadet; Appointment of PNPA Cadets by the Chief, PNP; Limit in the strength of cadets to only 350 cadets; PNPA Cadets shall be considered employees of the National Government in permanent status, unless dismissed from the Academy;

Police Cadets shall be entitled to salaries, benefits and other emoluments given to a Police Executive Master Sergeant (a PEMS receives a monthly base pay of 38,366); At least 10 percent of annual recruitment quota shall be reserved for females.