CHED urged: Give educational benefits to SAF 44 beneficiaries

BAGUIO CITY – Vice Mayor Edison Bilog in a proposed resolution requested the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through Education secretary Armin Luistro to facilitate the release of educational benefits due to Special Action Force (SAF) 44 family member-beneficiaries. 

The matter is now handled by the committee on education, culture and historical research chaired by Councilor Peter Fianza, with members Councilor Faustino Olowan and IsabeloCosalan, Jr.

The committee considered referring the matter to CHED chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan, for college scholarships in which the dependents are qualified, or through the program “Tulong-Dunong” with a pegged amount of P12,000 each under the Student Financial Assistance Program (STUFAP).

Applications may be filed with CHED regional offices, for transmittal to the central office. As of May 28, eight beneficiaries from the Cordillera Administrative Region have complied, with a ninth applicant following suit recently. An enrollment form and certificate of enrollment to the school of choice are required as the amount will be reimbursed.

The financial assistance is in addition to those provided and administered by the National Police Commission, the committee stated in the report.

The 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF), 14 from the Cordillera died in an encounter with Muslim separatist rebels  in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Mindanao on Jan. 25.

Most were breadwinners, with their families now needing financial and educational assistance.  

The city government handed financial assistance to the families of the slain cops.