Benefits,assistance given to families of Fallen 44

Cordillerans pour P1.2 million into SAF heroes’ account 

By Ramon Dacawi

Cordillerans from all over – either by birth, blood, sentiment or choice – kept alive the sense of community that has been the strength of this upland  region’s  villages for generations,  pooling over P1.2 million through an instant fund drive for the orphaned families of the 14 Cordillera police officers killed in Mamasapano,  Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

“The spontaneity of support is simply overwhelming,” noted businessman-lawyer Alex Bangsoy who co-opened a bank account through which people can course their support to the slain officers’ families.

“At the supposed end of the month-long fund campaign last March 2, the volunteer group managing the fund turned over the P1,279,501.21, broken down to P90,000 per family of our fallen heroes,” Bangsoy said.

“The following day, we checked the account and found fresh contributions totaling P444,239.30,” he added.

Most of the Samaritans were Cordillerans here and abroad, either through their BIBAK chapters, church and civic organizations, clans or on their own.

“Many wanted to remain anonymous, saying what matters is they were able to contribute to easing the gnawing pain of loss and uncertainty of the future of the orphaned families,” Bangsoy said.

Other signatories of the bank account are Fr. Andrews Cosalan of the Catholic Vicariate of Baguio, Bishop Joel Padchao of the Episcopal Church and Bishop Peter Mayyam of the Evangelical Churches in the region.

Those who still want to donate may deposit in through BPI Session branch bank account 0573354583 with SWIFT CODE BOPIPHMM.

There is also a Smart Money account for those who are not able to send their donations via BPI joint account. The Smart Money account number is 5299-6756-4277-7104 or they can send donations via Smart Money using the phone number 0920-278-9000.

Another fund-raiser, this time a folk and country music concert tribute to the 14 Cordillera heroes, has been set by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera under Chief Supt. Isagani  Nerez and the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club led by ABS-CBN news anchor Dhobie de Guzman on March 28 at the University of Baguio gym.

This, as Philippine National Police OIC Director General Leonardo A. Espina directed concerned offices of the PNP to ensure families of 44 Special Action Force commandos slain in Maguindanao by Muslim rebels would be provided appropriate assistance and benefits due them.

Each family of slain commandos reportedly received benefits from the PNP, National Police Commission, Office of the President, Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc., and other government agencies.

The PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Services identified 94 dependents and 65 of them have received ATM cards Feb. 12 so they could withdraw the money.

As of Feb. 18, benefits of all dependents came from PNP worth P17, 815,315.47; Napolcom, P13, 501,504.20; PSMBFI, P24, 537,793.42; and Office of the President, P11, 000,000.

A PNP press statement said each beneficiary will receive different amounts of commutation of accumulated leave (CAL) and pensions depending on rank and length of service of their slain family member. The total amount of CAL computed for all the beneficiaries is P8,438,893.26.

Total amount of pension for all beneficiaries is P469,231.08 per month.

The statement said the PNP will hasten processing of ATM cards and IDs of legal dependents and pension of the legal beneficiaries.

Their benefits such as Special Financial Assistance under RA 6963 (equivalent to six-month salary, allowances and bonus) was reportedly  given Jan. 30.

The CAL) (number of leave credits earned) were reportedly credited to their ATMs or checks as of  Feb. 25 while  monthly pension (equivalent to 50% of base pay and long pay) could be withdrawn from their ATMs y March 16.

Meanwhile, benefits from Napolcomsuch as burial (equivalent to 3months basic salary after investigation and adjudication), Gratuity (equivalent to 1 year basic salary), and monthly pension (for a period of 5 years equivalent to 80% of basic salary) are still being processed as documentary requirements are still being completed.

The Office of the President also gave from Presidential Social Fund P250,000 to each family of SAF commandos Jan. 30.

“While the PSMBFI gave cash advance with 25% of Basic Life Insurance  Jan. 30 to each family. PSMBFI’s Basic Life Insurance for each of the killed policemen is still being processed as documentary requirements are still being completed. However, the prior cash advance plus the 25% will be deducted on the Basic Life Insurance,” the statement said.

Other benefits to be given by other government agencies to the families of the 44 slain SAF commandos are housing assistance by the National Housing Authority; livelihood/employment assistance by Departments of Trade and Industry, Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, Agriculture, Public Works and Highways and Education. Medical assistance will be given by Dept. of Health while scholarship assistance will be shouldered by Commission on Higher Education and Napolcom.

Meanwhile, benefits for 15 wounded SAF policemen came from PNP Reimbursement Hospitalization Expenses (no limit for battle casualty); PSF worth P50, 000 for minor injury and P100, 000 for major injury given Jan. 30 and PSMBFI Financial Assistance Fund and benefits from Employees Compensation Commission.

“The PNP leadership assures prioritization on Mamasapano incident that is why processing and claims of benefits for beneficiaries of slain SAF commandos are given importance. The PNP through the PRBS continues to process benefits and claims of other retirees,” the statement said.

The PNP urged other retirees to check website of PRBS at http://pnp-prbs.org/,twitter at @PRBS_or through these numbers Globe-(0927) 381 6243/Smart-(0999) 149 9941 and for PRO-Cordillera through Smart- 0999-5529-749 and Globe-0915-8803-696; Twitter: @PrbuCordillera.  – With reports from Phoebelene  Carino and Rizel Villanueva,