P500-M issued to 2,000 cops, soldiers

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 21): P500-M issued to 2,000 cops, soldiers

The Department of Interior and Local Government has released over P500 million financial assistance to more than 2,000 beneficiaries of cops and soldiers who were wounded or killed in action in military or police operations.


DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo M. Año
(DILG / MANILA BULLETIN)
Since June 1, the DILG stated it has facilitated the release of a total of P582.5 million in financial assistance to 2,330 beneficiaries of injured and fallen cops and soldiers.

DILG Officer in Charge Secretary Eduardo Año said this was in line with the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte for a comprehensive social assistance to the police force and soldiers.

Among those who are currently receiving the assistance are the families of six police officers killed in a misencounter with Army troopers in Samar on June 25.

Aside from financial aid, a total of P61.5 million have been released to 246 beneficiaries who were given the second tranche upon completion of a capacity building training facilitated by the DILG and the Department of National Defense.

According to the DILG Chief, the financial assistance is being provided to the beneficiaries of cops and soldiers through the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police battle or duty casualties and their families.

Año, a former chief of the AFP, said that the CSBP is one of the “much-needed reform programs” that this administration has turned to reality.

Under the CSBP, beneficiaries are entitled of a special financial assistance from the Office of the President amounting to P500,000 for killed-in-action (KIA) or killed-in-police-operations (KIPO) given in two tranches; P100,000 for wounded-in-action (WIA) or wounded-in-police-operations (WIPO) personnel with major or minor injuries; P250,000 for WIA and WIPO with Total Permanent Physical Disability (TPPD).

Aside from financial aid, shelter assistance from the National Housing Authority worth P450,000 or provision of P100,000 for housing repair has been distributed to at least 145 beneficiaries as of June 1.

The Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) also provided health care assistance and coverage of hospitalization expenses and maintenance of medicines to some 374 beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the DILG chief revealed that the planned inclusion of uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Philippine Coast Guard in the CSBP coverage was approved during a high-level meeting.

With this, a draft Executive Order is now for the signature and endorsement to the Office of the President.

“This is in recognition of the critical role of uniformed personnel outside the AFP and PNP who also risk their lives in the name of peace and order and public safety,” Año said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/21/p500-m-issued-to-2000-cops-soldiers/