Father's Day gift to 100 soldiers: New houses

MANILA, Philippines - More than a hundred soldiers recently received new houses as early Father’s Day gifts under a government program that seeks to improve the living conditions of members of the country’s security forces.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the houses were turned over in ceremonies held last Friday in Biñan, Laguna and last week in General Trias, Cavite and Bocaue, Bulacan.

The turnover was in line with the Aquino administration’s housing program, which allotted P4.2 billion for the construction of 20,000 houses for military and police personnel.

“This came as an early Father’s Day gift to all hardworking soldier dads,” Burgos said.

He said 25 military personnel from the Army, Air Force and Navy received 22-square-meter row house units on 36-square-meter lots in Biñan.

On the other hand, 37 soldiers received 18-square-meter loft-expandable row houses on a 40-square meter lot in the same area.

Last week, 12 military personnel received house units in Trece Martires City in Cavite while nine others got theirs in General Trias in the same province.

Houses were also turned over to a total of 60 soldiers in Barangay Tambubong in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said the housing program would boost the morale of soldiers.

A regular house costs P140,000 where monthly amortization is P200 for the first five years, gradually increasing to a maximum of P1,307 on the 26th to 30th year.

The loft-expandable house costs P173,000 where monthly amortization is P400 for the first five years, gradually increasing to a maximum of P1,419 on the 26th to 30th year.

Higher allowance

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association Inc. (AFPMBAI) has tripled the fund allotted for the allowances of military scholars.

The AFPMBAI will provide an additional P2 million to the P1-million fund allocated for the scholars’ allowances.

“This increase is expected to improve and expand the benefits received by dependents of soldiers who were killed in action,” Burgos said.

Each military scholar will be granted an annual allowance of P9,000 for academic year 2012-2013.

As many as 333 college students are expected to benefit from the additional funds.

The AFPMBAI and the AFP Educational Benefit System Office support the studies of 1,896 scholars.