The NAPOLCOM Death Benefits are financial assistance and death and burial support granted by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) to the legal beneficiaries of uniformed members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who pass away due to service-connected causes. The benefit covers gratuity, burial assistance, pensions, and reimbursement of medical and funeral-related expenses claims. It was established under the Revised Rules Governing the Investigation and Adjudication of Benefit Claims of Uniformed Members of the PNP to provide timely aid and recognition to fallen officers and their families. Its main purpose: To honor the sacrifices of police personnel by giving their dependents financial stability and relief during difficult times.
Losing a loved one who served in the Philippine National Police (PNP) is heartbreaking and may also cause sudden financial challenges that the NAPOLCOM funeral or burial assistance are supposed to address. This guide can help you learn more about the program, who can avail of its benefits, its requirements, and the step-by-step process of filing a claim.
Scope and Coverage
The NAPOLCOM Burial Assistance provide financial relief and recognition to the families of PNP members who sacrificed their lives in service. It applies to burial and permanent total disability claims of PNP uniformed members and was designed for beneficiaries of deceased uniformed personnel. These benefits support funeral costs, living expenses, and ongoing needs, helping surviving families adjust during a difficult time.
The main objective of the program is to provide just and timely assistance to the families of PNP members, ensuring financial support during times of loss. It does not cover cases where death occurs outside service duties, except under specific conditions.
Who May File a Claim?
Only the following beneficiaries may file, in this order of precedence:
- Surviving spouse
- Surviving dependent legitimate children
- Non-dependent legitimate and illegitimate children
- Surviving parents
- Surviving brothers and sisters
Grounds for Compensability
A death or disability may only be compensated if it meets certain conditions:
For injuries and resulting death/disability:
- The PNP member was injured while performing official duties.
- The injury happened while following a lawful order from a superior.
- The death or injury was sustained because of official duty.
- The injury occurred while reasonably near the workplace, while going to or coming from work.
For sickness and resulting death/disability:
- The illness is listed as an occupational disease under NAPOLCOM rules.
- If not listed, proof must show that working conditions increased the risk of contracting the disease.
Requirements
Applicants must prepare three copies of their written, sworn claim, indicating the identity of the deceased, and the cause and date of death. The following supporting documents are required:
- Service record from PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM)
- Certified copy of latest appointment
- Death Certificate from the National Statistics Office (NSO)
- Detailed investigation report by the Chief of Police or supervisor
- Clearance from money and property accountability
- Marriage contract and birth certificates of children (from NSO), if applicable
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from NSO
- Official receipts of hospitalization, medicine, and transportation expenses (doctor’s prescription required for medicines over Php 50.00)
- Certificate of deducted leave credits related to illness or injury that caused death
- Proofs of surviving legal heirs (if claimant is not the spouse or child)
- Proof that the deceased was single with no children (if claim filed by parents/siblings)
How to File a Claim
Here’s a clear, step-by-step procedure you can follow when filing NAPOLCOM funeral or burial claims:
Step 1. Confirm who should file
- Identify the claimant based on the order of precedence:
- surviving spouse;
- surviving dependent legitimate children;
- non-dependent legitimate and illegitimate children;
- surviving parents;
- surviving brothers and sisters.
Step 2. Report the incident and coordinate with the unit
- Deaths or injuries involving a PNP member must be reported to the member’s police office or unit assignment within 24 hours of occurrence.
- The unit conducts an investigation; coordinate to obtain the Detailed Investigation Report and related clearances needed for the claim.
Step 3. Prepare your sworn application
- Write an application letter under oath for death benefits (in triplicate).
- Indicate the identity of the deceased PNP member and the date and cause of death.
Step 4. Gather the required supporting documents (attach to your sworn application)
- Service record issued or duly authenticated by the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM)
- Certified copy of latest appointment
- Death Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office
- Detailed Investigation Report of the Chief of Police or immediate superior/supervisor on the circumstances or cause of death
- Clearance from money and property accountability
- Marriage Contract of the surviving spouse with the deceased and birth certificates of surviving children (if any), issued by the National Statistics Office
- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO)
- Official receipts (BIR-registered) for reasonable medical and hospitalization expenses, necessary transportation and subsistence incurred on account of service-connectivity; doctor’s prescription required for medicine purchases over Php 50.00
- Certificate from the Chief of Police or Personnel Officer indicating the restorable deducted leave credits for absences incurred due to the injury or sickness that caused the death
- Proofs of surviving legal heirs if the claimant is other than the surviving spouse or child
- If filed by a parent, brother, or sister: proof that the deceased died single and without any surviving child/children
Step 5. File your claim at the proper office
- Submit the sworn application with complete attachments to:
- The Office of the NAPOLCOM Provincial Officer of the province/city where the PNP member was stationed, or
- The NAPOLCOM Regional Office that has administrative jurisdiction over the deceased member’s unit assignment.
Step 6. Attend the hearing scheduled by NAPOLCOM
- Within 5 days from receipt of your application, a NAPOLCOM Hearing Officer (designated by the Regional Director) sets the hearing and notifies the claimant(s), heirs, and other required parties.
- The hearing must be conducted within 15 days from the date the application was received.
Step 7. Cooperate with any additional inquiry (if needed)
- If serious questions arise on compensability, the Regional Director may direct the Technical Service Division to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.
- This report will be attached to the case file and considered by the Hearing Officer.
Step 8. Wait for the investigation report and adjudication
- Within 15 days from the termination of the investigation, the Hearing Officer/Investigator submits a Report of Investigation with the complete case records to the Regional Director.
- The Regional Director adjudicates the claim within 15 days of receiving that report.
Step 9. Receive the adjudication
- The claimant is furnished a copy of the adjudication immediately after the decision is made.
Step 10. Claim payment of benefits
- Regional Offices that issued the adjudication pay approved claims.
- If regional funds are insufficient, a copy of the adjudication and supporting documents is forwarded to the NAPOLCOM Central Office for payment, including any monthly pension that may be due.
Where to File a Claim
Applications must be filed under oath and submitted to:
- The Office of the NAPOLCOM Provincial Officer in the province or city where the PNP member was stationed, or
- The NAPOLCOM Regional Office that has administrative jurisdiction over the deceased’s unit assignment.
Investigation and Adjudication Process
The claim undergoes an investigation before approval. Here’s how it works:
- Within 5 days of receiving the claim, a NAPOLCOM Hearing Officer sets a hearing.
- The hearing must be scheduled within 15 days of receipt.
- If questions arise, the Regional Director may order an inquiry by the Technical Service Division.
- Within 15 days of completing the investigation, the Hearing Officer submits a report to the Regional Director.
- The Regional Director decides within 15 days.
- Claimants receive a copy of the adjudication.
Grounds for Denial of Claim
A claim may be denied if the death, injury, or illness was caused by:
- Intoxication, drug use, or immoral habits
- Intentional self-harm
- Gross negligence
- Unlawful aggression or provocation by the deceased
Fraud, misrepresentation, or falsification of documents also lead to administrative or criminal liability.
Payment of Claims
- Claims are paid by the NAPOLCOM Regional Office that issued the adjudication.
- If funds are insufficient, the case is forwarded to the NAPOLCOM Central Office for payment, including monthly pensions.
Video: Legal Opinion on PNP TPPD and Death Benefits
Filing a NAPOLCOM Funeral or Burial Assistance may seem overwhelming, but understanding the process makes it more manageable. It is especially meaningful as this benefit is given as some sort of tribute to the dedication and service of the uniformed personnel who perished in the line of duty. To learn more about the legalities of the program, Atty. Chito Bustonera shares his legal opinion in the video below:
How to Learn More
For official forms, updates, and further inquiries, visit the NAPOLCOM Regional or Provincial Office in your area. More details are available at NAPOLCOM. You can reach out to them via the following:
NAPOLCOM National Capital Region (NAPOLCOM NCR)
- Coverage: Metropolitan Manila (NCR)
- Office Address: 371 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1209
- Person-in-Charge: Ferdinand R. Quirante, Assistant Regional Director
- Telephone Number: (02) 8882-1180 (Regional Director), (02) 8882-1187 (Assistant Regional Director)
- Email Address: rdncr@napolcom.gov.ph (Regional Director), ardncr@napolcom.gov.ph (Assistant Regional Director)