President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has called on the Assembly of Service Academies and Schools Alumni Association of the Philippines (ASASAAP) to support the government in maintaining peace and order in the country.
Marcos made the statement during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected board members of the ASASAAP on Tuesday, June 27. "I therefore call on all of you to support our goal of promoting inclusive development across the country and maintaining a safe, peaceful and prosperous Philippines," he said. "With your extensive collective experience and expertise, this government will always be open to work and discuss with you on matters of national security and public service in general,” he added. Formed in 2021, the ASASAAP aims to provide an avenue among academies and schools alumni towards the enhancement of professional and leadership skills, establishment of strong network and engagement links, organization of joint management and entrepreneurial activities, and participation in policy formulation in nation-building. It is composed of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMMAAAI), Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association (PNPAAAI), Philippine Air Force Flying School Alumni Association, Inc. (PAFFSAAI), Officer Candidate School Alumni Association, Inc. (OCSAAI), Coast Guard Officers’ Course Alumni Association, Inc. (CGOCAAI), and Alumni Society of Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Inc. (ASMAAPI). Retired General Edgar B. Aglipay is the chairman emeritus and founder of the ASASAAP. Over 60 board members of the association attended the oath-taking ceremony. In his speech, Marcos assured the ASASAAP of the government’s support to all of its endeavors, especially those that contribute to the well-being of its members and the Filipino people. He acknowledged the collective efforts of the ASASAAP to the country’s top schools and academics as it made a lasting impact on the lives of the graduates. “By being leaders of this organization, you hold great influence over the professional and personal growth of our uniformed personnel. More importantly, it falls on all of you here to nurture a genuine sense of compassion, integrity, and patriotism in the hearts of your members,” Marcos said. “I am thus certain that, with the opportunities for networking and mentoring, our uniformed personnel will find the support they need to navigate the taxing and demanding paths that their roles entail. Apart from this, we certainly recognize the immense value of your association for the country as a whole,” he added. The chief executive stressed that government programs are more effective when employed with a whole-of-society approach, which, he said, calls for close coordination and consultation among stakeholders. “What this association embodies, through the synergy of the institutions that make up your group, that is exactly the unity that this administration has advocated for even before this term has begun,” he said. The President expressed hopes that the ASASAAP will continue to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, fairness and patriotism in their endeavors for their colleagues and the rest of the Filipino people to emulate.