EDUCATION Secretary Jesli Lapus’ battle cry for effective governance, which is “Edukasyon and Solusyon,” has an avid believer, in the person of MGen. Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the First Infantry ‘Tabak’ Division.
For Lustestica, education that has formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual, will wipe out destitution because accumulated knowledge, skills and values will help one have a better chance of getting a better paying job.
“The more knowledgeable you become, the better and more chances you have to improve your living conditions,” he said during the signing of contract and distribution of checks to the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) scholars of the AFP’s CAA Educational Benefit System (CAAEBS).
Held at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Labangan, this province, some 19 CAA scholars received their checks from Lustestica, who was also assisted by Col. Alexander Dicang, assistant division commander and chairman of the CAAEBS Selection Board.
CAAEBS is part of the Armed Forces education benefit program which provides scholarships to deserving individuals. Overall, this program is part of a portfolio that comprises 185 different educational benefit programs that also serves dependents of military personnel and CAAs, non-combat casualties, active military personnel including soldiers with disabilities.
“For us soldiers and CAFGUS, education is the solution to insurgency,” Lustestica said, citing the false ideologies grasped by those in the Maoist belief and who are fighting a “protracted people's war” through its armed wing, the New People's Army.
“These people do not weigh the consequences and they failed to see the real viewpoint prompting them to join the group. But if only they were educated or trained in schools, perhaps their wise judgments will tell them its wrong,” the army official explained.
“Education, therefore, is very important,” Lustestica stressed as he appealed to the scholars to study hard and strive to become degree holders and professionals.
At the same time, Lustestica said he is confident the regular Tabak troops will likewise study and train more regardless of one’s advancement, complete all command training requirements, advance and take that extra edge because “soldiers who are educated have better worth in the organization.”
A total of P285,00 worth of checks were distributed to the scholars that day for CAAEBS, which was launched initially by the AFP’s higher headquarters at the Tabak Division.
REPORT BY JUN CORGUE PIA-9