Aquino promises benefits to war veterans

Acknowledging that the annual wreath-laying wasn’t enough, President Aquino promised on Tuewsday to deliver benefits to thousands of World War II veterans.

Leading the observance of Araw ng Kagitingan on Mt. Samat in Bataan, the President said the government was working on the full payment of total administrative disability pension, including a monthly P1,700 for veterans who have reached 70.

When a veteran reaches 70, he is deemed totally disabled, entitling him to such a pension, according to law.

The President said the government was also aggressively implementing the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law in which $224 million has been given away to more than 18,700 applicants.

On top of this, 599 public hospitals accredited by the Veterans Memorial Medical Center continued to serve the veterans, with the subsidy for each patient increased to P1,200 per day from P800 since January, he said.

All these were undertaken in recognition of the “selfless sacrifice” of the veterans, Mr. Aquino said.

“We’re aware that no grand ceremonies or wreath-laying could surpass the true value of our veterans’ heroic deeds. That’s why, as we look back on the heroism of Filipinos who took and continue to take care of our country, we also take care of their welfare and their families’. Those who put the motherland above self should not be left alone by the State,” he said in a speech.

If any moral could be drawn from history, the President said, it was that no matter how vast the world is, where countries are separated by oceans, “all of us are on the same boat.”

“Whatever threat there is to peace in any country, it can threaten stability the whole world. In other words, our collective future depends on our cooperation, unity and rowing in one direction,” he said.

Mr. Aquino paid tribute anew to the heroism of the Filipino soldiers.

“They’re the thousands who bravely used their bodies as shields against bullets for love of country. They’re those who tangled not only with the enemy but with hunger and illnesses. They’re our heroic soldiers who clung to hope amid the danger and uncertainty,” he said.

Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe expressed “heartfelt apologies and deep remorse” for the “inexplicable suffering” suffered by Filipinos during the war.

Urabe and American Ambassador Harry Thomas also vowed to deepen their countries’ collaboration with the Philippines to create a “free and democratic environment” in the Asia Pacific.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants the burial assistance for war veterans doubled from P25,000 to P50,000 the next time the city government celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan.

The mayor said will ask Councilor Jose Daluz III to sponsor the amendment of an existing ordinance to authorize the increase in war veterans assistance.

“Long time ago pa na ang P25, 000. Unya nakita nato nga sa una daghan pa kaayo sila pero karon gamay na lang,” Rama said.

He said that it is an obligation of the city government to care for its war veterans.

Rama led yesterday’s marking of the Day of Valor or the day when Bataan fell to the Japanese forces in 1942 at the Veteran’s Monument at Plaza Independencia where honor guards gave a 21-gun salute in honor of the war veterans./Inquirer and Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac