LUNA, Apayao – For seven years, from 2017 to 2024, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recruitment program of the provincial government produced 798 uniformed personnel, all commissioned to execute their prime duty to protect and serve the province and people of Apayao and the whole country.
The AFP recruitment program is the brainchild of Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. aimed at solving multiple problems with one shot.
Bulut believes that sponsoring a member of an yApayao family to join the army shall solve insurgency in the province, reduce unemployment and poverty, at the same time aid in encouraging more youth to strive to study and do well.
Of the 798 produced, 753 joined the Philippine Army, 38 the Philippine Marines, and 7 the Air force. These yApayao sons and daughters are now deployed in various places in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
PhP2.1M allotted to the program from November 2023 to July 2024. From November 2023 up to July 2024, Over two million pesos was allotted for the program to cover the necessities of the trainees.
In 2023, 7-thousand pesos allowance was granted to each trainee monthly, then eight (8) thousand after, until the amount gradually increased to ten thousand (10,000) pesos. This amount covers rentals worth PhP1,500 per month, meal allowance of PhP4,500, medical check-ups of PhP3,000, and PhP1,000 for basic needs.
Excluding the number of full pledged personnel, the program has recently enlisted 41 on-training candidates.
Of the 41, 14 are under second cycle class 793 and 16 for third cycle quota class 794 of the Philippine Army. Meantime, 7 are under the Philippine Marines class 508 and 509, and 4 for the Philippine Air Force.
The recruitment unit encourages potential and aspiring yApayaos to submit their application and pertinent documents, provided they meet the guidelines and minimum qualifications. By Arjay Baysa
