Medal of valor awardees, kin to have priority in gov’t employment

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has directed national government agencies, local government units (LGUs) as well as government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to prioritize the employment applications of Medal of Valor awardees, their widow or widower and dependents.

In its Memorandum Circular No. 02 series of 2020 issued on Jan. 9, the CSC said giving priority to the employment applications of the Medal of Valor awardees and their kin is in accordance with Republic Act 9049 otherwise known as “An Act Granting Monthly

Gratuity and Privileges to an Awardee of the Medal of Valor.”

“Section 3 of RA 9049 provides, among others, that a Medal of Valor awardee, his/her widow/widower and/or dependents, as the case may be, shall have precedence in employment in government agencies or government-owned or controlled corporations, provided, that the awardee or his/her dependents meet the job qualifications or requirements,” the CSC explained in its memorandum.

The CSC added that RA 9049, enacted in 2001, also states that the Medal of Valor awardees and their kin are entitled to priority in the approval of housing application, acquisition of public lands, exemption in payment of tuition fees, and 20% discount in commercial establishments, among others.

These are on top of a lifetime monthly gratuity, salary and pension which the awardees or their kin are already receiving or will receive from the government.

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

Bala, however, stressed that all appointments must still comply with civil service rules and regulations.