The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is encouraging the private sector to open their doors for the dependents of military and police personnel who were killed-in-action (KIA) and killed-in-police-operation (KIPO) for possible employment.
DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año says the increasing number of KIA-KIPO dependents who need to fend for themselves after the death of their loved ones necessitates the involvement of other sectors of our society.
“We hope to forge a long-term partnership with the private sector in making certain that the families left by our KIA-KIPOs, our heroes, will live a life far from poverty by presenting them with job opportunities,” says Año.
Año says that despite the existence of the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP), having the private sector as an additional option for the employment of KIA-KIPO dependents will ensure that the ones left to support their families will have a fighting chance in acquiring a stable source of income.
“It’s the least that we can do in honor of our fallen heroes who sacrificed their own lives for our cause,” he adds.
The CSBP is a program of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to assist the family members left behind by KIA-KIPO soldiers and cops in recognition of the fallen officers’ ultimate dedication and service to the nation.
The DILG is the lead agency for the CSBP and the proponent on the provision of the employment assistance for dependents of AFP and PNP battle/duty casualties, in collaboration with other government agencies, local government units and the ARMM government.
In Memorandum Circular 2018-116, the DILG Chief encourages local chief executives (LCEs) to endorse and recommend KIA-KIPO dependents for employment in the private sector within their area of jurisdiction.
To assist the LCEs in recommending KIA-KIPO dependents to prospective employers, the DILG will provide the database of qualified dependents to the respective LGUs and the Office of the ARMM Regional Secretary. The said database will be screened by the DILG-KIA-Wounded in Action, KIPO-Wounded in Police Operations project management office.
As of July 31, 2018, of the 595 total number of KIA-KIPO dependents, 343 were either employed, processed or were given livelihood opportunities under the CSBP.
Among the 343 employed, 277 were hired in various agencies of the government like the Department of Public Works and Highways (168); 44 each for both the DILG and Department of Labor and Employment; six for the Department of Trade and Industry; five for the Department of Education; four each for the Department of Health and local government unit; and two for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Others are training under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, currently employed or are still undecided.
“Hindi mawawala ang tulong mula sa pamahalaan ngunit kung makakatuwang natin ang private sector sa pagtiyak na magiging maayos ang kinabukasan ng mga naiwan ng ating mga KIA-KIPO, mas mabuti,” says Año.
CBSP also provides Special Financial Assistance (SFA) in two tranches to the beneficiaries of KIA/KIPO in the amount of P500,000; to WIA/WIPO with total permanent physical disability (TPPD) in the amount of P250,000; and to WIA/WIPO with major and minor injuries in the amount of P100,000.
