President Benigno Aquino III. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III on Friday vowed to improve the benefits of men in uniform to entice recruits.
“Sa tulong ng Kongreso, isinusulong natin ang mga batas na i-aangkop sa panahon ang benepisyo ng unipormadong hanay, upang bigyang-daan ang pagdaragdag ng mga sundalo’t pulis,” he said during the Philippine Army’s change of command ceremony at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
(With the help of Congress, we will push for measures appropriately adjusting the benefits of the uniformed personnel, to give way to the hiring of more soldiers and policemen.)
The President pointed out that while the population of the Philippines had doubled since 1986, the number of soldiers and policemen remained the same.
During the ceremony, Aquino bid farewell to retiring Lieutenant General Noel Coballes and welcomed the new commanding general of the Army, Major General Hernando Delfin Carmelo Iriberri, former commander of the 7th Infantry Division.
He lauded Coballes and Iriberri for their leadership during the country’s trying times last year. He said the armed forces performed well in response to the Zamboanga City Siege in September, the Bohol quake in October and the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in November.
Aquino said they would continue the transformation of the armed forces, as well as its modernization.
He promised improved benefits for retiring soldiers, including housing, health care, livelihood assistance and other long-term services.
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