By Gideon C. Corgue
QUEZON CITY – Partner institutions, benefactors as well as the grantees under the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System (AFPEBS) have been recognized recently in a simple ceremony held at the Tejeros Hall of the AFP Commissioned Officers Club.
In a press release issued by the AFP’s public affairs office, it said the event was graced by AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel T. Bautista.
He was accompanied by Lieutenant General Virgilio O. Domingo, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff and Chairman of the AFPEBS Board of Trustees.
“Dubbed ‘Bayanihan for Education 2014,’ this annual event is held to recognize the roles of the individuals and institutions that have been supporting the education of our soldiers’ dependents and to further develop their partnership with the AFP Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO),” said Lt. Col. Danilo E. Estrañero, AFPEBSO chief and general manager.
Estrañero said the Student Achievement Recognition System (StARS) honors grantees that excelled in their academics, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
This stakeholders’ recognition event highlights the key contributions of individuals and partners to the academic success of its beneficiaries, which is in line with AFPEBSO's commitment of “Leaving No Soldiers' Orphan Behind”.
The AFPEBSO, Estrañero said has been providing education assistance to dependents of military personnel, mostly battle casualties for more than a decade.
Educational programs in the AFPEBSO include law-mandated programs, and those by virtue of partnerships with educational, government, socio-civic and financial institutions.
Among the 4,428 grantees supported through 279 programs of the organization, 29 grantees under the StARS were recognized in the event including the two Magna Cum Laude and seven Cum Laude graduates, the AFPEBSO chief disclosed.
Furthermore this event is expected to raise the morale and welfare of AFP personnel by providing their dependents with educational assistance.
This also proves that the AFPEBSO continues to be an effective instrument in helping the families of AFP soldiers to secure a better future for their children, Estrañoro concluded.