DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Some 300 beneficiaries of uniformed personnel who were injured or died in legitimate operations were awarded various government assistance by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.today, September 29, in Davao City.

In a ceremony held at Dusit Thani Residence-Davao, graced by President Marcos, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. announced that the government has already granted to the beneficiaries a total of P777 million since the program implementation of the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) in 2016.

Executive Order No. 110 s. of 2020, issued by former President Rodrigo Duterte, has institutionalized the CSBP, which provides immediate and long-term assistance to affected families, including special financial assistance, educational and scholarship assistance, special welfare assistance, health and medical care assistance, shelter assistance, and employment assistance.

He revealed that on the first tranche, a total of P255 million was given to beneficiaries: 801 members of the military, 218 members of the police, and 100 personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard. 

For the second tranche, a total of P213 million were released for the 665 members of the military and 190 police personnel who died in legitimate operations.  

Meanwhile, the shelter assistance under this program benefitted a total of 443 military dependents, and 119 police dependents amounting to P252 million granting houses and lots with a maximum subsidy of P450,000 for each unit. Further, 63 military and 60 police beneficiaries were each granted P450,000 cash assistance for house construction with a total of P55 million  funds released by the government. 

Abalos said that a total of P200,000 was also granted to two military beneficiaries or P100,000 each as cash assistance.  He said that through the CBSP, 173 scholarship grants were given, wherein 96 were received by beneficiaries of police personnel who died in the line of duty. 

Abalos said that today, September 29, a total of 402 military and 150 police beneficiaries received employment assistance from the government.  

“This day is intended for their families,” he said. 

“Ang tagumpay ng mga proyekto ng gobyerno ay  tagumpay nating lahat. Kung kaya naman inaatasan ko ang  mga kinauukulang mga ahensya na tiyakin nang maayos ang implementasyon ng mga ito at siguruhin ninyo ang mga  benepisyo ay mabilis na makakarating sa ating mga mamamayan. Sa pagsulong ng Bagong Pilipinas, lahat ng mga Pilipino ay uunlad at magiging katuwang sa transpormasyon na ito,” President Marcos Jr. said. (PIA Davao/With Report from Joey Sem Dalupines and Jeanevive D. Abagan)