GMA to sign bill increasing veterans pension

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo is expected to sign into law today a bill increasing the pension received by war veterans who are at least 65 years old.

The still unnumbered Republic Act would increase the monthly old-age pension received by the veterans or their surviving spouse from P500 to P5,000 through an amendment of Section 10 of RA 6948.

The signing will be timed to coincide with the nation’s commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor when tribute is given to the men and women who risked or gave up their lives defending the country.

Congress passed the bill amending Republic Act 6948 or An Act Standardizing the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents earlier this year.

The new law will be called “An Act allowing Filipino World War II Veterans to continue receiving Philippine Government Pensions and Benefits notwithstanding similar Pensions and Benefits provided by the United States Government” or “Filipino World War II Veterans Pension and Benefits Act of 2008.”

Under the law, only the surviving spouse of a veteran who died after having received old-age pension would be eligible to receive the benefit as long as she does not remarry.

Mrs. Arroyo is expected to present the signed law during Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration rites at the Dambana ng Kagitingan of Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan today.

Another amendment of RA 6948 incorporated in the new law takes away the disqualification of veterans from receiving pensions and benefits when they are already receiving the same from the United States government.

The new law upholds the policy of the State to “recognize and reward the courage and heroism of Filipino WW II veterans by granting them pensions and benefits even when similar pension and benefits are already provided for by the United States Government.”

RA 6948 was signed into law in 1990 by former President Corazon Aquino.   – Marvin Sy