Section 1Sec./Art. 1

Officer Grade Distribution. - The Secretary of National Defense shall prescribe the authorized number of officers in the active force in each grade and in each major, technical or administrative service and shall implement the gradual decrease in the number of officers in each officer rank as part of, and in line with, the Modernization Program of the Armed Forces: Provided, That effective one (1) year after the approval of this Act, such number shall not exceed the number in each grade authorized in the Table of Organization of units of the active force distributed as follows: Point seventy-five per centum (.75%) in the General/Flag Officer grade; six per centum (6%) in the grade of Colonel/Captain (PN); twelve per centum (12%) in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (PN); eighteen per centum (18%) in the grade of Major/Lieutenant Commander (PN); twenty per centum (20%) in the grade of Captain/Lieutenant (PN); and forty-three point twenty-five per centum (43.25%) in the grades of First Lieutenant/Lieutenant Junior Grade (PN) and Second Lieutenant/Ensign (PN): Provided, further, That such distribution is based on the total officer strength authorized for the AFP: Provided, furthermore, That the Table of Organization of units of the active force shall be adjusted in accordance with their respective missions and officer requirements, and shall be gradually decreased pursuant to this section and such rules and regulations as the Secretary of National Defense shall prescribe, subject to the condition that the schedule of percentage for each grade as herein prescribed shall not be exceeded: Provided, furthermore, That in the determination of the officer to enlisted personnel ratio, the mission requirement, capabilities, scope of responsibility, technical nature of the position and task, and equipment inventory of units shall be taken into consideration: Provided, furthermore, That considering the highly technical nature of the Air Force and the Navy, they shall be allocated a higher officer to enlisted personnel ratio which shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the officer to enlisted personnel ratio allocated for the Philippine Army: Provided, finally, That if the actual number in a grade is less than the number prescribed, the difference may be applied as an increase to the number prescribed in a lower grade.