The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) celebrated its 78th Founding Anniversary following the theme, “Tagumpay Noon, Bayanihan Ngayon, Karangalan Nating Lahat Bukas.” A Thanksgiving Day held at Camp Aguinaldo on December 19 kicked off with an interfaith prayer service followed by the awarding of the AFP Command Plaque to stakeholders who contributed in the implementation of AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan.
Among the seven recipients of the AFP Bayanihan Award is LDS Charities (LDSC), the social arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. LDS Charities has sponsored various relief and development projects in the Philippines.
This assistance is rendered without regard to race, religious affiliation, or nationality and is based on the core principles of personal responsibility, community support, self–reliance, and sustainability.
Early this year, Vice Admiral Luis M. Alano, Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy and Benson Misalucha representing LDS Charities signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on April 2 for the construction of three multi-purpose buildings in Cateel, Boston and Bagangga, all in Davao Oriental, that were destroyed by Tyhoon Pablo in 2012. To date, all three buildings have been built and now used by the local LGUs.
LDS Charities has been busy responding to many calamities happening in the Philippines this year on top of doing their regular global initiatives to include wheelchair training and distribution, clean water, vision care and treatment, neonatal resuscitation training and food production.
AFP Chief of Staff, General Emmanuel T. Bautiusta and Secretary of National Defense, Hon. Voltaire T. Gazmin presented the AFP Command Plaque to LDS Charities.
