PVAO mulls veteran pension hike

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 27): PVAO mulls veteran pension hike

The Veterans Federation of the Philippines-Sons and Daughters Association Inc., headed by Joel Llosa, said the commitment made by representatives of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office about increasing veteran pension from P5,000 to P20,000, is not new.

But the group still welcomes the pronouncement made by a representative of the office, who graced the 72nd Liberation Day of Dumaguete City yesterday.

Brig Gen Restituto Aguilar, who represented Usec Ernesto Carolina, administrator of PVAO, told Dumaguete and Negros Oriental veterans the proposed increase in the monthly pension was filed in the previous Congress but because of different problems besetting the country, it was shelved.

To date, PVAO is trying to find allies in Congress for the re-filing of the bill, in consonance with the President's pronouncements and support of Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Aguilar said.

Llosa said this is long overdue, in expressing lament because the supposed beneficiaries are already diminishing in numbers.

Last year, 19 WWII veterans of the city and province were given recognition, but only 12 this year.

Llosa said their number is getting smaller every year.

He also lamented attempts to disband the sons and daughters associations of the veterans even as Llosa said this cannot be done being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Their only mission is to voluntary serve the veterans.

The PVAO said it is gradually documenting memories of World War II veterans for what they have done to the country and will publish them in books, and in other forms like komiks or film production.

PVAO considered this a tall order but will make sure the future generations will not forget what these veterans have done for the country.

On the other hand, the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, which was represented by veteran Manuel Carreon during the celebration, disclosed that as soon as the constitution and by-laws of the VFP is approved, all sons and daughters associations incorporated will become auxiliary association members and that all benefits of the veterans can also be availed of by the SDAI.

These include educational assistance to the sons and daughters of the veterans, six months medical assistance support, medical equipment, upon the approval of the constitution and bylaws by the Department of National Defense.

Carreon represented VFP president, Col. Bonifacio de Gracia, in the 72nd Liberation Day of Dumaguete activity.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/April/27/negor4.htm