Senate, House ratify bill lowering height requirement for PNP, BFP, BJMP, BuCor applicants

The Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill seeking to lower the height requirement for applicants to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

During its session, the chambers adopted the bicam report for Senate Bill 1563 and House Bill 8261, or the proposed "PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor Height Equality Act."

The bill is set to be transmitted to Malacanang for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The reconciled bill provides that the minimum height limit for males to be appointed as officers or members of the PNP, BFP, BJMP and BuCor is 1.57 meters or 5 feet 2 inches and 1.52 meters or 5 feet for females.

The current height requirements for these agencies are 1.62 meters for males, and 1.57 meters for females.

The reconciled measure, however, retained the uniform height requirement for PNP applicants including applicants for the Philippine National Police Academy.

The House version of the measure exempted from the provisions of the measure PNPA applicants, retaining the current height requirement, as per the request of the academy's acting director, Police Brig. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento.

According to Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is part of the Senate contingent to the bicameral panel, the PNP submitted its written objection on the House version of the measure.

"The PNP stated that there is no cogent reason for cadets of the PNPA to be treated differently from other uniformed members of the PNP with respect to height requirements since PNPA graduates perform the same function as other Police Commissioned Officers," he said.

The reconciled measure also retained the automatic waiver of height requirements for members of cultural minorities and Indigenous People who are applying as an officer or employee of the PNP, BFP, BJMP or BuCor.

"In the eyes of Our Creator, we are created equal. However, in the eyes of man, we are measured based on our appearance, capabilities and talents. In the provisions of the law, we seek the furtherance of equity," Dela Rosa said.

"This Chamber can be a vehicle to limit or prohibit many things. But today we have chosen to become a key in opening the gates of public service. We welcome those who may be less in height but possess the biggest of hearts for the service of the country," he added.—AOL/LDF, GMA News