Duterte institutionalizes social benefits program for uniformed services

President Rodrigo Duterte has institutionalized an assistance program for policemen, soldiers and other uniformed personnel who got killed or injured in the line of duty.

The Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) provides for different types of benefits such as financial assistance, social welfare assistance, shelter assistance, health and medical care assistance, educational assistance and employment assistance, according to Duterte’s Executive Order 110 signed on Tuesday.

Aside from policemen and soldiers and their beneficiaries, the program also covered the uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Coast Guard and as well as members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit/CAFGU Active Auxiliary units.

“[T]here is a need to enhance and rationalize existing assistance and benefits given to police, military and their support units through a comprehensive social benefits program in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the pursuit of just and lasting peace,” the order stated.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of National Defense (DND) will jointly lead the implementation of the program.

All concerned agencies must submit a biannual implementation and budget utilization reports on the status of the CSBP to the DILG and DND, with a copy furnished the Presidential Management Staff and the Department of Budget and Management.

The DND and DILG will also have to submit an annual report to the Office of the President.

The order took effect immediately. —LDF, GMA News