DBM releases P804M for WWII veterans’ disability pension

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno INQUIRER file photo

Ahead of the commemoration of “Araw ng Kagitingan” on April 9, World War II veterans and their spouses can now claim their total administrative disability pension benefits after the Department of Budget and Management released P804.86 million to settle arrears.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno told reporters Wednesday that the payments for pension arrears were already released to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).

“Specifically, the said amount will pertain to the settlement of total administrative disability pension arrears to 6,046 surviving spouses of deceased World War II veterans,” the DBM said in a separate statement.

The total administrative disability pension is an entitlement worth P1,700 per month granted to veterans once they reach the age of 70, the DBM said.

“Living veterans receive their entitlement on a monthly basis, while arrears are awarded to surviving spouses of World War II veterans and other eligible deceased veterans upon approval of requests made by PVAO,” according to the DBM.

The arrears for the total administrative disability pension benefit amounted to P1.65 billion, hence the same amount had been allocated under the 2018 national budget’s pension and gratuity fund to fully settle them.

“As such, another P841.87 million is set to be released within the year for the same purpose, subject to submission of special budget request to be supported by a list of pensioners/claimants,” the DBM said.

The balance would be released on a quarterly basis, Diokno said.