QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11549)
RA 11549 is titled the “PNP, BFP, BJMP and BuCor Height Equity Act.” It lowers the minimum height requirements for applicants of the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor, thereby adjusting qualification standards under the cited predecessor laws.
RA 11549 amends: (1) Section 30 of Republic Act No. 6975 (as amended), (2) Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9263, and (3) Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10575.
The minimum height requirement for PNP applicants is at least 1.57 m for males and 1.52 m for females.
For BFP and BJMP uniformed personnel applicants, the minimum height requirement is at least 1.57 m for males and 1.52 m for females.
For PNP: a waiver for the height requirement is automatically granted to applicants belonging to cultural communities/indigenous peoples. For BFP/BJMP: a waiver for both height and age requirements is automatically granted to such applicants. For BuCor: a waiver for height and age requirements may be granted to such applicants.
No. It is automatic for PNP applicants and automatic for BFP/BJMP applicants, but for BuCor it is discretionary (“may be granted”), not automatic.
RA 11549’s BuCor provision includes a waiver for height and age requirements for cultural communities/indigenous peoples, but it is permissive (“may be granted”), not automatic.
A new applicant must not be less than 21 or more than 40 years of age (subject to the waiver for height and age requirements for cultural communities/indigenous peoples, and as stated in the BuCor section).
For BuCor, the law states that, except for the particular age/other provisions mentioned, the enumerated qualifications are continuing in character, and the absence of one may be a ground for separation or retirement from service.
Those already in the service upon the effectivity of the Act are given five (5) years from the date of effectivity to obtain the minimum educational qualification and eligibility, with subsidiary assistance as provided in the Act.
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Act, the DILG and DOJ, in coordination with the Civil Service Commission, National Police Commission, PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor, must promulgate the IRR necessary to implement the Act.
The law names DILG and DOJ as lead agencies, coordinating with the Civil Service Commission, National Police Commission, and the concerned bureaus/agencies: PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
If any part/section/provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the unaffected sections/provisions remain valid and subsisting.
All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with RA 11549 are repealed or modified accordingly.
PNP and BFP/BJMP provide for an automatic waiver, while BuCor provides that a waiver “may be granted,” indicating discretion rather than automaticity.