House OKs on final reading bill raising pension of senior war vets

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 7525 which seeks to raise the monthly pension of senior war veterans to augment their resources and enable them to live decently and with dignity.

Voting 239 without negative votes and abstentions, the lower chamber approved the proposed measure, principally authored by Rep. Geraldine Roman, which seeks to increase the old age pension of veterans from P5,000 to P20,000.

Under the bill, the old age pension increase would cover veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, provided that the veterans of last two wars are not receiving pension from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

If passed into law, the entitlement to the increase in old age pension would be limited to eligible living senior veterans and would not be transferable to any family member or dependent of the senior citizen.

The amount needed for the initial implementation of the pension increase would come from the current available appropriations of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).

The funds needed for its continued implementation would then be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

According to Roman, the current pension of  P5,000, implemented almost 21 years ago, is not enough for senior veterans to meet the basic necessities for decent living.

“Our veterans have sacrificed much for our country,” Roman said in an earlier statement. “People who have dedicated their lives in the service of the country should, at the very least, be able to live out the days of their days comfortably without worrying about their basic needs.”

“We must recompense our veterans in a manner fitting to what they have given,” she added. “The proposed increase of benefits for the veterans is a way to show the nation’s grateful appreciation for their bravery, service, and sacrifice.” /atm