He made the call as he assured the beneficiaries of uniformed personnel especially those who died while on duty, of the continued government effort to provide the necessary support for the police and the military for them to duly carry out their mandates.
“Kasama sa pagsisikap na ito ay ang tiyakin ang kapakanan ng inyong mga pamilya, sa pamamagitan ng mga programang tulad ng CSBP (Comprehensive Social Benefits Program),” he said in his speech during the “PBBM: Pagpupugay sa mga Bayani ng Bansang Makabayan” held this morning at Dusit Hotel, Davao City.
The President explained his swing to Davao City this morning (Sept. 29) was aimed at giving honor and thanks to the heroes of the Filipino nation, among whom he cited were the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), those in the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other uniformed personnel who had either lost their lives or wounded while on mission to serve.
“Alay natin ang araw na ito bilang Pagpupugay sa mga Bayani ng Bansang Makabayan. Kailanman, hindi natin masusuklian ang serbisyo na kanilang inilaan upang mapanatiling mapayapa, ligtas, at maayos ang ating komunidad,”he said.
He shared with the families of lost soldiers and police the grief and sadness on the day of honoring the Filipino Makabayan heroes for whom the day’s ceremony was made to take pride of their service to the country.
“Ang kanilang halimbawa ay patunay sa likas na galing, tapang at dangal ng mga Pilipino at sa ‘di matatawarang pagmamahal natin sa ating bansa,” he said.
He gave thanks to the Filipino soldiers and police who, he said, had not only live life for themselves but for the Filipino nation. The President recognized not only their sacrifices but their contribution in weaving the Philippine history, and in raising a collective Filipino consciousness.
Having cited the enormous contribution of the Filipino police and soldiers, the President justified the provision of medical, financial, educational, housing, work and other social welfare assistance through the CSBP.
Meanwhile, in her opening message, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte viewed the CSBP “as a living tribute to bravery, gallantry, and unwavering resilience demonstrated by the heroes of our nation in the face of adversity.”
She recognized “the sacrifices of the brave men and women who have dedicated and continue to dedicate their lives to the service and protection of our country”
She especially thanked the “Armed Forces of the Philippine, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Jail Management and Penology.”
The Department of Interior and Local Government principally organized the “PBBM: Pagpupugay sa mga Bayani ng Bansang Makabayan” to know the valor and dedication of the military, the police, and those in line of service.
During the occasion, DILG Secretary Ben Hur Abalos explained the objective and benefits of the CSBP revealing it as a directive of former President Rodrigo Duterte that was created upon the approval of the Cabinet on Nov 3, 2016.
He said the CSBP was institutionalized thru EO 110, covering the AFP, PNP personnel who died and those who were wounded on legitimate operations from July 1, 2016 onwards,” Abalos said.
The CSBP also covers the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), active auxiliary, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) “who became casualties while performing their duties,” Abalos said.
“CSBP is to provide assistance to uniformed personnel in recognition of their heroism and gallantry In service by sacrificing their lives for the country and its people,” Abalos said.
To date a total of P777 million has been granted to uniformed personnel through the CSBP since 2016, Abalos disclosed during the CSBP ceremony this morning in Davao City.
The first tranche of P255 million was given to 801 AFP and 218 PNP beneficiaries while some 100 other uniformed personnel also benefited.
The 2nd tranche of P213 million benefitted 665 AFP and 190 PNP beneficiaries who died in legitimate operations.
Meanwhile, the CSBP shelter assistance benefited 433 AFP and 119 PNP personnel with a total of P252 million grant for house and lot.
Aside from shelter assistance, Abalos mentioned scholarship grants extended to sons and daughters of lost police personnel while on operations, while other beneficiaries had received employment assistance through the CSBP. (JMDA/PIA Davao)