GMA calls on PMA graduates to help poor cope with crisis

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo called yesterday on the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to help the poor cope with the impact of the global financial crisis.

Speaking to the Masiglahi Class of 2009 at the PMA grounds in Baguio City, Mrs. Arroyo said the reforms introduced in the PMA have helped them become adept in the battlefield as well as in community building.

“The kind of officer you have been trained to be is crucial at any point in time but more so now for meeting the challenges of a deepening global economic crisis,” she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said this year’s PMA graduates must give back to their community what they have received in training that has equipped them with the “mind, discipline, professionalism, drive for excellence, and the heart to stand for what is just and right for our country and our people.”

“You will be called upon to win communities away from the insurgents and provide the means to live peaceful, productive lives for those communities through the Kalayaan Barangays,” she said.

“And whether in conflict areas or in the communities in which you are located, we must all support programs for providing meals for our children in school, and job and training opportunities for our young graduates.”

Mrs. Arroyo said the savings of the PMA, Armed Forces and Department of National Defense (DND) from the mandated 1.5 percent reduction in the maintenance, overhead and operating expenses would be used for programs like providing breakfast for children in day-care, pre-school or grade one in the school within or nearest the camps.

“PMAers are among the fortunate few who have jobs waiting right after graduation,” she said.

“Your colleagues in other colleges are now anxious about finding jobs in April or May.”

Mrs. Arroyo said she has approved the release of more than P125 million or P180,000 for each beneficiary from her social fund as housing assistance for over a thousand soldiers suffering from disabilities, as well as the families of soldiers who were killed in action.

“We must tackle many challenges at once to keep our economy and way of life going strong,” she said.

“On the part of government, we must live within our means and run a lean, efficient government, including the DND, the AFP, the PMA and the units that you, our young graduates, will soon be commanding.

“Running a lean and efficient unit includes continued fiscal prudence while the national government undertakes efforts to work towards a balanced budget.”

Mrs. Arroyo called on the new military officers to strive to end the armed conflict, which has slowed down the country’s growth.

“We must move fast to stop the conflicts and I will need your greatest military skills there,” he said.

“But we must also move fast to promote growth. Therefore, you play a vital role in winning battles and winning the peace.”

Mrs. Arroyo said the government remains committed to attaining peace through dialogue and consensus.

“But we also need your military skills to make sure that it will be the preferred choice of all parties in the conflict,” she said.

“Our new paradigm for peace is community-based and recognizes the needs of various stakeholders of the peace process.

The new PMA graduates of Masiglahi Class of 2009 were led by 2Lt. Karl Cacanindin from Dipaculao, Aurora.

Lone female Cadet First Class Cynthia Forteza from Urbiztondo, Pangasinan, who was among the top 10 of the class, took Mrs. Arroyo’s challenge.

 “We were trained and prepared for such tasks,” she said.   – With Artemio Dumlao