Marcos wants swift release of benefits to kin of fallen soldiers, cops

The President ordered the concerned agencies to simplify the process, ensuring eligible families receive their benefits promptly. (PCO file photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed concerned government agencies to expedite the release of benefits and assistance under the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) to the families of soldiers and police officers killed or wounded in the line of duty.

Marcos made the remarks during a gathering at the Tejeros Hall at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, as part of the commemoration of the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).

The event was attended by the families of fallen members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

The CSBP, institutionalized in 2020, provides support, including shelter, health and medical care, education, employment, and other social welfare assistance to the dependents of uniformed personnel killed or wounded during legitimate operations from July 2016 onward.

In his message, Marcos acknowledged delays in releasing the benefits, attributing them to documentary requirements and procedural issues.

He cited the need for a faster and more efficient process.

“Ang dami pang kailangan kahit na wala na ang inyong mga asawa, ang ama, ang inyong mga kapatid. Kahit wala na ang dami pang kailangang gawin para matanggap ang benepisyong galing sa pamahalaan (There is still so much that needs to be done even if your husband, your father, your siblings are long gone. Even if they are gone, so much is still needed to receive the benefits from the government),” Marcos said.

The President ordered the concerned agencies to simplify the process, ensuring eligible families receive their benefits promptly.

“Dahil dun, sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Ayusin na ninyo ‘yan, para madali ang proseso.’ Basta’t maliwanag na KIA at kayo ang pamilya, ano pang kailangan nating gawin (Because of that, I told them, ‘Get it sorted out so the process would be easy.’ So long as it is clear that it is a case of KIA and you are the family, what else do we need to do)?,” he said.

“Kaya sisimplehan po natin para lahat ng dapat tumanggap ng tulong sa ating pamahalaan ay mabibigyaan kaagad kapag sila ay namatayan (So, let’s simplify the process so that everyone who should receive assistance from the government can receive it immediately when their kins die in action).”