By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the distribution of cash assistance under the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) to the families of soldiers and police officers who were killed or wounded in the line of duty.
During the commemoration of the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the President directed the concerned government agencies to fast-track the release of benefits to the beneficiaries under the CSBP, citing the need for a faster and simplified process.
“Kung nakita naman—basta’t maliwanag na maliwanag na [killed in action] ang isang tao at talagang kayo ang pamilya, eh bakit pa, ano pa ang kailangan natin—ano pa ang kailangan nating gawin? Kaya’t sisimplehan po natin para po lahat ng mga dapat tumanggap ng tulong sa ating pamahalaan ay mabibigyan kaagad kapag sila ay namatayan, sila ay naabutan ng malas at napunta sa ganyan ang serbisyo ng kanilang mahal sa buhay,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive, likewise, attributed the delays in the release of benefits to the various documentary requirements that are needed to submit as well as the complicated process.
“Hindi dapat naging ganito katagal. At dahil nga nakita ko kung gaano kahirap, hindi pala madali. Ang dami pang kinakailangan kahit na wala na ang inyong mga asawa, ang inyong ama, ang inyong mga kapatid kahit wala na ay marami pang kailangang gawin upang matanggap ang benepisyo na galing sa pamahalaan,” he stressed.
Hope for lasting peace
Speaking at a previous event in Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan, Marcos honored the heroism of the Filipinos and Americans who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of the Philippines during World War II as well as the modern day servicemen who continue to uphold and protect the nation’s sovereignty.
“Wala nang hihigit pa sa sakripisyong ipinamalas ng mga bayaning ginugunita natin ngayon. Inialay nila ang sariling buhay para sa kapayapaan at kalayaan ng bayan,” he noted.
The President also urged the public to emulate war heroes and veterans to create positive change, to overcome conflict, and to attain long-lasting peace.
“The lessons that we learned are that the solution to war is not more war and that the solution to war is only peace—an honorable peace that is arrived at by the different parties involved and having a hand and a voice in achieving that peace,” he said.
“Peace cannot be attained by one person, by one country alone. And that we have to bring together all the parties that are involved. These are the lessons that we hope to have learned,” Marcos added.
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