FILE PHOTO: Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday pointed out the “grave injustice” to military veterans whose disability pension is now worth a mere P287, stressing that such was not what was intended when the law was enacted and that something must be done to rectify the situation.
Nearly three decades have passed since the monthly pension for disabled military veterans and their dependents was last increased – in 1994. As a result, many of them only receive P1,000 to P1,700 per month – an amount that doesn’t cover even their most basic needs, as the senator pointed out.
READ: Estrada seeks increase in veterans’ disability pension
“Needless to say, the amount is already grossly inadequate to provide for their needs, considering the high cost of living today and the state of health they are in. By all metrics, the value of P1,000 in 1994 is undoubtedly much, much lower in 2022, with almost 250% price increase since,” Estrada pointed out in his privilege speech.
He was sponsoring Senate Bill No. 1480 or Rationalizing the Disability Pension of Veterans during the Senate plenary session on Tuesday.
“Ang halaga ng isang libo noon ay P287 na lamang ngayon. Hindi na po sapat ang benepisyong tinatanggap ng ating mga beterano, lalo na sa harap ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at pangunahing pangangailangan,” he continued.
(The worth of P1,000 back then is only P287 today. Our veterans’ benefit is not enough, especially amid the soaring prices of commodities and basic needs.)
To address the insufficient pension, Estrada proposed around P4,500 to P10,000 monthly disability pension for the veteran and P1,000 pension for the spouse and each unmarried minor child.
He said his proposal would benefit 4,386 veteran pensioners, including 204 centenarians, 2,276 spouses, and 795 minors.
“In their twilight years, they are still fighting, albeit a different battle altogether. It is a simple gesture of gratitude and appreciation for the invaluable service, loyalty, and gallantry of our military veterans, to whom we owe the freedom, democracy, and peace we all enjoy today,” the senator said.
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