Villar pushes establishment of scholarship program for children of cops

Senate President Manny Villar proposed for the institutionalization of a scholarship program, which will benefit deserving children of officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Under Senate Bill 951, Villar pushes for the creation of "Children of Police Scholarship (COPS) Program," which will provide free collegiate education to children of policemen in active service.

"This is our way of thanking our partners in public safety, to help them make sure that their children will finish their studies and will be equipped for a better life later on," Villar said.

Villar, also the Nacionalista Party president, said scholarship grants are "the least we could offer these law enforcers who risk their own lives in discharge of their duty to serve and protect the country."

COPS will provide full scholarship assistance, including payment of expenses for tuition, miscellaneous and books.

Under the proposal, only one child from each PNP officer shall be entitled to the grant. Once a PNP officer has retired, his/her child will cease to be a beneficiary of the scholarship grant in the succeeding school year.

"This program is also designed to motivate our law enforcers to stay with the force. We must take care of the men and women who make our streets safe, and who contributes to our thrusts in providing a favorable investment climate that enables us to create more jobs for the people," the Senate president said.

Villar also cited the financial assistance and scholarship fund established after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States, which provide benefits to dependents of fallen policemen and firefighters.