Marcos vows to expedite benefits for families of fallen soldiers, police

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed to fast track the processing of benefits for the surviving family members of uniformed personnel who were killed in action.

Marcos made the commitment at Camp Aguinaldo, where he joined the families and beneficiaries of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) killed or wounded during operations.

He lamented the supposed long process and complicated documentary requirements for the benefits, which he said should have already been provided to the families of the fallen troops.

“Hindi siguro tama ‘yan. Dahil bakit naman mahaharang ang ating ibinibigay na tulong sa mga pamilya ng mga nasawi? Bakit mahaharang dahil marami masyadong hinihingi na dokumento, marami masyadong proseso? Ang puno’t dulo ay nagiging matagal na, nagiging masyadong matagal ang pagbigay ng mga benepisyo na ito,” the President said.

(That doesn’t seem right. Why should the assistance we’re supposed to give to the families of those who died be blocked? Are there too many documents being requested and are the processes too long? The bottom line is that the delivery of benefits is taking too long.)

In light of the 83rd anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor, Marcos said that the government has streamlined the processing of the said benefits.

“Kaya’t kayo mga beneficiaries ng ating mga programa, para sa mga pamilya ng mga nasawi habang sila’y nagseserbisyo sa bansa, ay ngayong araw na ito masasabi ko, maibibigay na namin lahat ng hinihintay ninyo na napakatagal,” he said.

(To the beneficiaries of our program, the families of those who died while serving the country, today I can say that we can give you everything you've been waiting for so long.)

“Tinitiyak po natin na lahat ng pamilya na nawalan ng mahal sa buhay ay mabigyan ng kanilang benepisyo sa pinakamadaling panahon at sisimulan po natin ngayong araw,” he added.

(We are ensuring that all the families who lost their loved ones will be given their benefits as soon as possible and we will begin today.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News