Financial help for soldiers pressed

President Arroyo ordered yesterday the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) to institutionalize a system of extending financial assistance to soldiers and policemen killed or wounded in the line of duty.

The President issued the directive to PMS chief Victoria Garchitorena during a visit to the Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu where she met with the field commanders of the Visayas Command (VisCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Mrs. Arroyo said the financial assistance, to be sourced from the President’s Social Funds, should be released immediately to the relatives of soldiers and policemen who were either killed or wounded in the performance of their duties.

Under the scheme, P100,000 would be given to those killed in action, P50,000 to those wounded, and P20,000 for those seriously injured.

The directive was issued in the presence of Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, AFP chief Gen. Angelo Reyes, VisCom chief Rear Adm. Napoleon Baylon and Philippine National Police regional director Tiburcio Pustilaro.

"We recognize, of course, that no amount of money can ever repay your gallantry in the field. This assistance is merely a token of the appreciation of our people for your selflessness and courage in making their lives more safe and more secure," Mrs. Arroyo said.

The President added that as commander-in-chief of the AFP, it is her duty to look after the welfare of soldiers and their families. "This is the least that we can do for your dedication and service and heroic deeds for our country," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo also reiterated her appreciation of the AFP’s support for the "peaceful transfer of power" between her and deposed President Joseph Estrada on Jan. 20, culminating the phenomenal popular uprising dubbed as people power II at EDSA.

"Allow me once more to express the wholehearted gratitude of the Filipino people to the men and women of the AFP for your inspiring support to preserve our democracy at EDSA, Fuente Osmeña and other areas of power in the Philippines," the President said.

"As professional soldiers, I know that you will continue to stand united not only in securing our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, but in defending our democracy," she added.

Mrs. Arroyo later had a closed-door meeting with the regional military and police commanders who briefed her on the security situation in the region.

The President flew to Mactan on board a Lear jet which she had been using since she was still vice president.

Also on hand to welcome her were top government officials of Cebu.

From the air base, she proceeded to Barangay Hippodromo where she inspected a government housing project, distributed land titles, turned over a check of P1.6 million to 36 beneficiaries and held a dialogue with representatives of the urban poor in the city.

She also addressed a national assembly of the Philippine Councilors League at the Waterfront Hotel in the city, then paid a courtesy call on Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. — Marichu Villanueva