Christmas gift packs for 400 AFP scholars
About 400 scholars of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received Christmas gift packs from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) last Saturday as part of its annual gift-giving activity.
The recipients are children of active, wounded, and deceased military personnel who are continuing their studies through the help of the AFP Educational Benefits System. They came from various areas in Metropolitan Manila and Luzon to participate in the third “Pamaskong Handog ng Pagcor” that started in 2016.
Major General Erickson Gloria, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1 of the AFP presided over the event held at the General Headquarters Canopy Area in Camp Aguinaldo. He represented Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr., the Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFP who is also the Chairman of the AFP Educational Benefit System.
“I express my appreciation to Pagcor for being one of our partners in recognizing the gallantry of our soldiers. Our partnership is very instrumental in turning the lives of soldiers’ children towards the fulfilment of their dreams,” Gloria said.
Also present at the gift-giving was Lt. Col. Antonio Dulunuan Jr., head of AFP Educational Benefits System Office (AFPEBSO) and Jimmy Bondoc, Pagcor vice president for Corporate Social Responsibility.
The AFP through AFPEBSO continues to partner with other agencies and organizations as part of its mission to uplift the morale and welfare of its members. It also conducts fundraising projects to further support its growing number of grantees.
Following the gift-giving, AFPEBSO held the draw for its “150 Mo, Aral Ko” raffle. Winners received up to 180,000 worth of prizes. The profit of the ticket sales will be used to boost financial assistance being given to current grantees.
As of this month, AFPEBSO has served more than 3,500 grantees, mostly dependents of soldiers who were either killed or wounded in battle.
Since its establishment in 2001, the office has helped around 5,000 dependents.