PATRIOTIC leave.
That’s a strangely new term but for a partylist seeking seats in the midterm election next year, they are dead serious about it.
As the name suggests, Laang Kawal Partylist is advocating for the military reservists of the country.
No surprise that all its four nominees are reservists.
Nominee Janette Arceo – a Philippine Army reservist with the rank of lieutenant colonel – said their proposed patriotic leave would be granted to those who would be absent from their jobs either from the government or private sector so they could attend military reservist training.
It’s an entirely new concept even in other countries but Arceo is confident that it would boost the number of reservists in the Philippines in light of continuing tensions at the South China Sea, a part of which the country had won via an international arbitration.
Arceo said that if Laang Kawal Partylist could win seats at the Lower House, they would immediately introduce a bill that would amend Republic Act 7077.
Republic Act 7077, also known as the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, was enacted in 1991 to organize, train, and use the citizen armed force of the Philippines.
Arceo said they want to expand the law and call it the Reservists Employment Rights Act.
Laang Kawal Partylist will be pushing for insurance coverage to the reservists so the number of one reservist per Filipino family is achievable.
Under the proposed measure, the reservists will likewise be assigned to their respective specializations in their professional and civilian lives.
For instance, the following will be created: Reserve Cyber Brigade, Reserve Artillery Brigade, Reserve Engineering Brigade and more.
Arceo said proper policies and support for reservists are needed for current emerging threats.
“Community defense is the heart of territorial defense. This is where the reservists are needed,” she said.
Laang Kawal to bat for patriotic leave
