Press Release
August 14, 2013

POE FILES BILL TO ENABLE K-12 GRADUATES TO ENTER POLICE FORCE

Sen. Grace Poe filed a measure that seeks to allow graduates of the enhanced K-12 program to enter the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a bid to broaden opportunities for the Filipino youth.

Senate Bill 1239 permits non-college graduates to be recruited by the PNP provided they pass all the requirements.

"We want to open doors of opportunities to graduates of the K-12 program," Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said. Under the bill, qualified K-12 graduates will be designated to a rank appropriate to their skills that will be determined by the PNP.

The K-12 Enhanced Basic Education Program under Republic Act 10533 or the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013" has expanded the basic education to 12 years from 10 to ensure true mastery of basic competencies and skills to enter the workforce. The first batch will graduate in 2018.

"This bill seeks to level the playing field for the youth who cannot afford to go to college outrightly and possess the essential skills to be a policeman," Poe said, noting that the PNP needs at least 100,000 new recruits to meet the ideal ratio of 1:500 individuals. With the current ratio, one policeman is responsible for the lives of at least 1,200 Filipinos.

"K-12 graduates are expected to be skilled and ready to join the labor force. We want to help them find quality jobs," Poe said.

Unemployment currently stands at 7.5% as of April, up from 6.9% in the same period last year.

Poe said PNP recruits�with or without college degree� are required to pass all the examinations, including the National Police Commission test, as well as all the prescribed psychological, drug and physical tests. They must also comply with the required age, height and weight limit and must have never been involved in a case or dismissed from government service.

Under Republic Act 8551, or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, the police force is limited to recruitment of college graduates and cadets of the PNP Academy.

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