Marcos vows fast delivery of benefits to kin of troops killed in action

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 83rd anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The national observance honors the heroism of Filipino and American soldiers during World War II, particularly during the Fall of Bataan and the Resistance in Corregidor. (Photo by LUISA CABATO / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday vowed to expedite the delivery of services and benefits to surviving families of the uniformed personnel.

Marcos made the pronouncement at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, where he joined families and beneficiaries of soldiers and police killed or wounded.

The event centered on a comprehensive social benefits program for them.

It is being highlighted as the government observes Araw ng Kagitingan, or the Day of Valor.

READ: April 9 declared regular holiday for Araw ng Kagitingan

In his speech, Marcos acknowledged complaints from families and beneficiaries who told him that the process of collecting their benefits was too complicated.

“Dahil doon, dahil sa nakita ko, ika ko sa kanila [relevant government agencies], ‘ayusin na ninyo yan para madali ang proseso,'” said Marcos.

(Because of what I saw, I told them [referring to relevant government agencies], fix that already so that the process will be easier.)

“Kung nakita naman, basta’t maliwanag na maliwanag na talagang KIA (killed-in-action) ang isang tao, at talagang kayo ang pamilya, bakit pa… ano pa’ng kailangan natin gawin?!” he asked in frustration.

(If it’s already obvious, as long as it is very, very clear that the person was really KIA, and that is really the family, what else? What else should we do?!)

“Kaya sisimplehan po natin para lahat ng mga dapat tumanggap ng tulong sa ating pamahalaan ay mabibigyan kaagad kapag sila ay namatayan,” the president said.

(So, we will simplify the process so that all those who are supposed to receive assistance from our government will get it immediately if they are the bereaved families.)

“Sila ay naabutan ng malas at napunta sa ganyan ang serbisyo ng kanilang mahal sa buhay,” he pointed out.

(Misfortune struck them because their loved ones went into that kind of service.)

According to Marcos, he intends to honor the soldiers and cops who died by ensuring that the government’s commitment to taking care of their families will be followed through.

“Kaya’t ‘yan po ang ating ginagawa ngayon. Ngayong araw, tinitiyak po natin na lahat ng pamilya na nawalan ng mahal sa buhay ay mabigyan ng kanilang benepisyo sa pinakamadaling panahon,” he told the audience.

(That’s what we are doing now. Today, we are ensuring that all families who have lost loved ones will receive their benefits as soon as possible.)

“At sisimulan po natin ngayong araw,” the chief executive promised.

(And we will begin doing that today.)