PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial awarding of special financial assistance amounting to P500,000 to six selected beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP).
Vice President Sara Duterte, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., DOH Sec. Teodoro Herbosa was also present at the event.
The president left after personally turning over the assistance packages to the six handpicked individuals. But the program continued until all the 300 other beneficiaries were recognized.
Besides the financial assistance, the beneficiaries received titles for the house and lot grants presented during the Thanksgiving ceremony at DusitD2 Davao in Lanang on Sept. 29.
“Maraming salamat sa ating mga bayaning hindi lamang namuhay, at nabubuhay para sa kanilang sarili, kundi para sa sambayanang Pilipino at sa sangkatauhan. Bukod sa pagpapahalaga sa kanilang mga pagpapakasakit, kinikilala rin natin ang iniwan nilang malaking kontribusyon sa pagkakakilanlan [at] kasaysayan ng Pilipinas,” President Marcos said during his keynote speech.
The president assured that the beneficiaries need not worry as their welfare shall come first. He called on the national agencies to deliver interventions necessary to them. “naatasan ko ang mga kinauukulang ahensya na tiyakin ang maayos na implementasyon ng mga ito. Siguruhin ninyo ang mga benepisyo ay mabilis na makakarating sa ating mga mamamayan,” he added.
The CSBP provides assistance including shelter, health and medical care, education, employment, and other social welfare assistance to dependents of uniformed personnel wounded and died during legitimate operations in their line of work from July 2016 onwards. Institutionalized by Executive Order No. 110 s. of 2020 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is the lead implementer of the program, which covers personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), Active Auxiliary Units, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Edisa Escobillo, wife of late patrolman Mark John Escobillo, who died during a police operation in Tupi, South Cotabato on Dec. 28, 2016, was one of the beneficiaries who received a house and lot title.
“Nung na open itong program ng CSBP kay former president Rodrigo Duterte pa, nagpapasalamat kami kay BBM na pinagpatuloy ang programang ito which is nakapagbigay ng serbisyo sa mga naulila ng mga PNP/AFP,” Escobillo said.
Escobillo was formerly employed by the DILG XII as Administrative Aide and now she works as non-uniformed personnel of the Police Regional Office XII.
