President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered all concerned government agencies to speed up the release of financial assistance for families of soldiers who were killed in action, killed in police operation, and other uniformed services who have risked their lives in performing their duties.

During the event called “Paggunita sa Mga Bayani sa Araw ng Kagitingan: Comprehensive Social Benefits Program” held at Camp Aquinaldo on Wednesday, the President was joined by at least 62 families of fallen soldiers and members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

Each of the 62 families is expected to receive a total of PhP500,000, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Office of the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (DILG – CSBP).

*The Special Financial Assistance and Socio-Civic Project Funds (SCPF) from the Office of the President will also give additional assistance to beneficiaries.*

For family members of those killed in action, the DILG – CSBP said they will be given livelihood training to help them set up small businesses. It said beneficiaries can use the second tranche amounting to PhP250,000, of the total PhP500,000 financial assistance, as seed capital.

Meanwhile, for soldiers and policemen wounded in action, the DILG – CSBP said each of them will be given PhP100,000. For those who cannot return to work or have severe wounds, they will be given a total of P250,000 each.

However, the DILG said they have no final and consolidated data yet on the total number of beneficiaries.

In the same event, the President also announced that the families of fallen soldiers and CAFGU will be given housing certificates from the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“Kung tayo ay nagbibigay ng dangal sa ating mga nasawi na mga kasama … kailangan ay ang ating pangako sa kanila, at lagi natin sinasabi kahit ano pang mangyari, ang inyong mga pamilya ay aalagaan natin. Hindi po namin pababayaan,” the President said.

“Kaya’t kayo, mga beneficiaries ng ating mga programa para sa mga pamilya ng mga nasawi habang sila’y nagseserbisyo sa bansa … ngayong araw na ito masasabi ko maibibigay na namin lahat ng hinihintay ninyo na napakatagal,” President Marcos said.

“Tinitiyak po natin na lahat po ng pamilya na nawalan ng mahal sa buhay ay mabigyan ng kanilang benepisyo sa pinakamadaling panahon at sisimulan po natin ngayong araw,” he said. | PND