FOE and POE Exams Welcome Applicants of All Heights
In a landmark move, the Philippine government has announced a significant revision to the height requirement for applicants wishing to take the Fire Officer Examination (FOE) and Penology Officer Examination (POE) for the year 2024. This change comes as a clarification to the previously issued Examination Announcement Nos. 01 and 02, which now aligns with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11549, also known as the “PNP, BFP, BJMP, and BuCor Height Equality Act.”
Previously, a minimum height of 1.57 meters (5’2") for males and 1.52 meters (5’0") for females was mandated for recruitment in the concerned agencies. However, the new directive states that this requirement pertains solely to recruitment/appointment and not to the examination phase. As such, applicants who do not meet the height requirement may still be accepted to take the FOE and POE.
This inclusive approach is further reinforced by RA No. 11549, which provides an automatic waiver for the height requirement to applicants from cultural communities or indigenous peoples. The revised qualification and admission requirements emphasize the government’s commitment to equal opportunities, stating that all applicants must be Filipino citizens, within the age range of 21 to 35 years old for the FOE and at least 18 years old for the POE, of good moral character, mentally and physically fit, and not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
For the FOE, applicants are required to possess a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution of learning. Meanwhile, POE applicants must have at least graduated from the K to 12 Program or be a high school graduate under the old program.
The announcement concludes with a reminder that these qualifications pertain only to taking the examination and that appointment to related positions will still require compliance with the height requirement, where applicable.
The government’s decision to revise the height requirement for service examinations is a step towards a more inclusive and diverse workforce, embodying the spirit of “Bawat Kawani, Lingkod Bayani” (Every Employee, a Heroic Servant).