“No parent in his right mind would not like to send their children to school. Every parent’s dream is to see their children go up the stage and receive a diploma more so a degree.”
This is the message of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan during the second anniversary of the Philippine Army Officers’ Ladies Club Inc., educational assistance program in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila recently where he was the guest of honor and speaker.
As a former Marine general, Balutan understood the plight of the soldiers who were deployed in the field, sacrificing their lives to protect the country.
“Soldiers are not only determined and dedicated to provide a better place for Filipinos to live in, but also the determination to give their children a better life by giving them the education that they deserve,” Balutan said.
A battle-tested Mindanao veteran who earned the moniker “Mandirigma” in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Balutan said when he was still in the active service, he would always look forward to the day when he would be able to call back home and talk to his kids, listen to their stories about their studies, their score in a particular test, and especially their grades every grading period.
“We, soldiers, after a long and bloody fight, when we call back home, more or less, there are only two questions that we immediately ask: Kamusta ang mga bata at kamusta ang pag-aaral ng mga bata? Minsan nga ’di pa kayo naka-kamusta ’di ba? [referring to the military wives],” Balutan said.
“PCSO and PAEAP can make a big difference in the families of our soldiers. While PCSO takes care of the medical needs of our soldiers and their families, you PAEAP take care of the education of their children,” he added.
Last year, PCSO donated ambulances to the Department of Health-run Amai Pakpak Medical Center, the only health facility inside Marawi City where affected residents of ongoing clashes in the area were treated.
The agency also sent P5 million worth of water and medicines to Marawi City evacuees.
It also provided help and rehabilitation to all wounded civilians and soldiers who were affected by the crisis.