CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received P6,000,000.00 in monetary donations from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) for the educational benefits of military personnel and their dependents.
A ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement and turnover of check donation was held at PVAO in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, May 4.
AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Rommel Anthony Reyes and PVAO Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina led the activity.
"I am truly grateful to the PVAO for being one of our devoted partners, for many years now, in looking after the welfare of the children of our fallen comrades," said Vice Admiral Reyes.
The latest donation served as additional support to the previous grant by PVAO, amounting to P4,000,000.00. Signed in December 2021, the agreement sought to provide yearly benefits to grantees of the AFP Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO).
In the agreement, PVAO recognized the gallantry of the military personnel and the need to support the soldiers' orphans in their pursuit of quality education and a brighter future.
A financial support of P15,000.00; P25,000.00; and P35,000.00 is provided for the tuition of grantees at elementary, high school, and college levels, respectively. An additional stipend of P10,000.00; P15,000.00; and P20,000.00 is also granted to qualified personnel and dependents.
As the primary administrator of educational benefits to military personnel and their dependents, the AFPEBSO continuously establishes partnerships with other government agencies, foundations, private individuals, and educational institutions to accommodate more beneficiaries.
With the growing benevolence of its partners and stakeholders, the AFPEBSO has sent countless children of Killed, Missing, and Wounded-in-Action personnel to various reputable academic institutions all over the country.
"It is heartening to know that our veterans continue to cultivate and sustain the brotherhood that we have forged on the battlefields by giving our beneficiaries modest chances for a realizable bright future," said Vice Admiral Reyes.///(Photos by Sgt Joymar Niño Dave Soria PAF/PAOAFP)
