Solon pushes bill lowering height requirement for police recruits

Under the proposed “PNP, BJMP, BFP and BuCor Height Equality Act,” the minimum height requirement for male applicants in these law enforcement agencies will be lowered from 1.62 meters (5’3) to 1.57 meters (5’1). (PNA Photo)

MANILA – A lawmaker at the House of Representatives is pushing for a measure seeking to repeal the existing minimum height requirement for applicants to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

In a statement on Monday, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the current height requirements enforced for those who want to serve in the PNP, BFP, BJMP and BuCor are discriminatory.

Villafuerte said House Bill 7520 seeks to ensure that every Filipino, regardless of height, will be given the opportunity to be a member of the PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor and have the chance to serve and protect the country and its citizens.

Under the proposed “PNP, BJMP, BFP and BuCor Height Equality Act,” the minimum height requirement for male applicants in these law enforcement agencies will be lowered from 1.62 meters (5’3) to 1.57 meters (5’1).

For female applicants, the requirement of 1.57 meters (5’1) will be lowered to 1.52 meters (4’9).

“The intention of this bill is to simply repeal the minimum height requirements for applicants to the PNP, BFP and BJMP with the belief that each person has the right to equal employment opportunity,” Villafuerte said.

The height waiver for applicants belonging to indigenous groups and cultural communities will be retained under the bill.

“Height has no relation nor relevance to competence, drive and passion for positions. In 2018, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) removed the height requirement for those who want to take the PNP entrance exam but not for police recruitment in these institutions,” he said.

The Senate has already approved on third and final reading a counterpart bill authored by Senator and former PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa and backed by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.