MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the funds for the payment of the World War II veterans’ pension arrears this year.
Secretary Benjamin Diokno said they have handed out P804 million to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).
A total of 6,046 surviving spouses of deceased World War II veterans were set to receive the amount, the DBM said.
Another P841 million will be released within the year for the same purpose, Diokno said.
“This is good news for our veterans and their families, and very timely as we celebrate Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9,” said Sen. Loren Legarda.
“Our war veterans have served our country well and their spouses also suffered during the war,” said the Senate finance committee chairwoman. “This is one way of showing our gratitude for their contribution to our country’s liberty.”
Legarda said the 2018 national budget allocated P1.65 billion for the full payment of the Total Administrative Disability (TAD) Pension Arrears for the living spouses of deceased World War II veterans.
The TAD pension was a P1,700 monthly entitlement awarded to veterans upon reaching the age of 70, the DBM explained.
Living veterans receive their entitlement on a monthly basis while arrears are awarded to surviving spouses and other eligible deceased veterans upon approval of requests made by the PVAO, the agency added.
“The TAD pension means a lot to our veterans and their family,” Legarda said. “It is but a simple token of gratitude – compared to the sacrifices they have made for the country – to be able to give what is due them.”/PN
