Philippine Canadian Inquirer (National)
Duterte vows support for retired MUP, dependents of fallen troops
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday promised to speed up the government’s assistance for retired military personnel, as well as the dependents of fallen soldiers and policemen, Malacañang said in a press statement.
Duterte made the commitment during a thanksgiving party held at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night.
The commander-in-chief sought the immediate distribution of pension differential for retired personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as he acknowledged their significant contributions in securing the nation, upholding the rule of law, and defending the country’s democratic institutions, the Palace said.
“The Chief Executive assured the members of the AFP that the administration will remain steadfast in protecting and advancing their welfare through modernization, capacity-enhancing initiatives, and provision of benefits for their families,” it said in a statement released late Tuesday.
“Responding to concerns raised by the soldiers, he vowed to expedite the release of the pension differentials of retired enlisted personnel,” Malacañang added.
In October, the Department of Budget and Management announced that around PHP22.3 billion has been released to cover the pension differential of military and uniformed personnel retirees, pursuant to the increased base pay of those in active services.
The amount has been released to the Department of National Defense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for pension differentials of their retirees for the period of June to December 2019.
Comfortable lives for dependents of fallen troops
Meantime, Duterte also pledged that dependents of military and police officers killed in action would get support through the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CBSP), the Palace said in a separate statement on Wednesday.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday assured the dependents of killed-in-action soldiers and killed-in-police operations (KIA-KIPO) of government assistance to attain comfortable lives,” Malacañang said.
“Despite the challenges ahead, the President has expressed optimism that with the steadfast dedication and firm leadership that those organizations have displayed, the government will not waver on its promise of uplifting the welfare of the people, especially those who have sacrificed their lives in order to protect and serve the country,” it added.
Under the CSBP, dependents of fallen soldiers and policemen will receive financial, employment, livelihood, educational, housing and healthcare assistance.
Malacañang said the President thanked the DILG, the AFP, the Philippine National Police, and other concerned government agencies for ensuring the proper implementation of CSBP.
“The administration will continue to do its best to honor the KIA soldiers and KIPO officers’ memory by staying true to the commitment of upholding the country’s sovereignty, preventing lawless violence, and protecting democratic institutions,” Duterte, as quoted by Malacañang, said.
AFP Sergeant Majors lauded
Duterte also vowed to institutionalize CSBP before his term ends, in a bid to ensure that the program will also cover personnel from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the PCG, the Palace noted.
Malacañang said the Chief Executive also took time to acknowledge the contributions of AFP Council of Sergeant Majors for the improvement of the country’s armed services.
“During the thanksgiving gathering with the AFP Council of Sergeant Majors in Malacañang, President Duterte expressed his gratitude to the council for its dedication to boost the morale and ensuring the welfare of the enlisted personnel of the AFP,” it said.
“The President highlighted the council’s vital role in steering the direction and performance of AFP’S enlisted personnel within their respective units,” it added.
The Sergeant Majors of the AFP serve as the bridge of the AFP enlisted personnel and the Corps of Non-commissioned Officers to the AFP Chief of Staff and to the Officer Corps.
They ensure that the concerns and welfare of the troops down to the lowest foot soldier are known to the AFP leadership and are addressed appropriate. ■