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President Gloria Arroyo signed into law a bill that
will allow World War II veterans to receive additional pension
benefits.
Mrs. Arroyo also announced the
formation of a joint executive-legislative team that would lobby the
US Congress this month for the passage of the Filipino veterans
bill. The team would be led by Senator Richard Gordon and Rep. Jose
Solis.
In ceremonies commemorating
“Araw ng Kagitingan” at the Palace, Mrs. Arroyo signed the
Filipino World War II Pension and Benefits Act of 2008 or “An Act
allowing Filipino World War II Veterans to continue receiving
Philippine Government Pensions and Benefits notwithstanding similar
pensions and benefits provided by the United States Government.”
“Thank you is not enough. It is
more important to ensure that your needs are met,” Arroyo said in
her speech.
The Defense department said the
passing of the measure is a preparatory move ahead of the passage of
a bill in the US Congress seeking similar benefits for Filipino
veterans.
With the new law, Filipino war
veterans or their dependents could
receive additional pension and
benefits from the US on top of the P5,000-monthly pension they have
been receiving.
There are about 60,000 surviving
war veterans, half of which fought in World War II.
Just after Mrs. Arroyo signed the
bill giving veterans more benefits, the Budget department announced
the allocation of P17 billion for the veterans’ pensions.
--ANGELO S. SAMONTE
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