Medal of Valor awardees and their widow/widower and dependents shall be given priority in employment in the government service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced.

The Medal of Valor is the highest military award given to military personnel for acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry, and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.

In CSC Memorandum Circular No. 2, s. 2020 issued on 9 January 2020, the Commission cited Republic Act No. 9049 promulgated on 22 March 2001, and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) which took effect on 11 December 2019, as the bases for granting such priority.

“The Commission is proud to be part of efforts to pay homage to military heroes and to celebrate their sacrifices in service of the Filipino people,” said CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.

The Commission stressed, however, that all appointments shall still comply with civil service rules and regulations.

“This means no appointment shall be issued to individuals who do not meet the Qualification Standards of the position, which comprises education, experience, training, and eligibility requirements, as well as additional requirements that the hiring government agency may prescribe. It also means that the entire process of appointment shall be done in consonance with relevant CSC issuances,” said Chairperson Bala.

Section 8 of the IRR states: “When the awardee resigns from the military service or retires optionally or compulsorily, and still desires to work for the government in a civilian capacity, he/she shall be given priority for employment in the government service: Provided, That he/she meets the minimum qualifications or requirements of the position, and the provisions of Civil Service law, rules and regulations on appointment are complied with.”

Section 8 further reads that dependents of the awardee are entitled to the same priority in employment in government service, subject to the same conditions.

R.A. No. 9049 also provides that awardees and their kin are also entitled to priority in the approval of housing application, priority in acquisition of public lands, exemption in payment of tuition fees, and 20% discount in commercial establishments, among others.

The crafting of the IRR was a combined effort of 13 government agencies with the Department of National Defense (DND) taking the lead. Other agencies involved in this collaboration include the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance; Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Commission on Higher Education, National Housing Authority, and the CSC. The ceremonial IRR signing was held last 31 July 2019 at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.