A legislative proposal to reorganize and modernize the National Bureau of Investigation has been sent to Malacañang for President Benigno Aquino III’s signature and enactment into law before his term ends on June 30.
The proposed NBI Reorganization and Modernization Act seeks to expand the structure, capability and manpower of the NBI to meet the increasing demands of investigative and detective work.
It also intends to modernize the facilities and intelligence devices, establishment of forensic and scientific laboratories and training of NBI personnel.
An enrolled copy of the bill was transmitted to the Office of the President on June 16.
Under the measure, the NBI will prioritize cases on human trafficking, extrajudicial killings, Cybercrime Prevention Act violations, Anti-Dummy Law violations, threats to security or assaults against the persons of the President, Vice President, Senate President, House Speaker and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
It shall also tackle syndicate-related cases, mass fatality caused by natural disasters and commercial, economic and financial crimes.
However, the President or the Justice Secretary may direct the NBI to undertake the investigation of any crime when public interest so requires.
As part of its internal enhancement program, the NBI’s organizational structure shall be reorganized into the Office of the Director, Office of the Deputy Director for Administration, Offices of the Deputy Director for Operations, Offices of the Assistant Directors for Investigation Service, Intelligence Service, Comptroller Service, Human Resource and Management Service, Forensic and Scientific Research Service, Legal Service, and Information and Communications Technology Service. Each service shall be composed of the necessary divisions and sections.
The NBI shall establish a Regional Office in every region to be headed by a Regional Director, and District Offices in every province to be headed by a Head Agent. Field Offices may also be established and maintained by the Director as the need arises.
Consequently, the NBI personnel complement shall be increased and their positions upgraded.
The measure mandates that 30 percent of the funds collected from NBI clearance fees be used for its modernization for three years.
The amount, however, shall not exceed annual appropriation of P150,000,000.
Moreover, NBI employees who are exposed to danger while on duty may also get hazard pay amounting to P4,000 per month. —Xianne Arcangel/KBK, GMA News