Duterte signs law lowering height requirement for PNP, other uniformed personnel

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill that lowers the minimum height requirement for aspiring officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other uniformed personnel.

Republic Act 11549 amends sections of three different laws which set the general and standard qualifications for the members of the PNP, the Bureau of Jail and Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

The newly-enacted law now sets the minimum height requirement of 1.57 meters for male applicants and 1.52 meters for female aspirants.

The implementing rules and regulations of RA 11549 shall be promulgated within 90 days since the effectivity the law.

Its promulgation was tasked to the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice, along with the Civil Service Commission, National Police Commission, PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor.

RA 11549 will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

In March, both Houses of Congress have ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 1563 and House Bill 8261, or the proposed "PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor Height Equality Act."

The height requirements of these agencies prior to the enactment of RA 11549 are 1.62 meters for males, and 1.57 meters for females.  —KBK, GMA News