Malacañang orders PVAO to make life easy for veterans

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang ordered the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) yesterday to make it easy for World War II Filipino veterans and help them claim the lump sum compensation from the US government.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde reminded the PVAO to accommodate all Filipino veterans and immediately facilitate their claims and benefits.

Remonde issued the statement following reports that the PVAO office in Davao had imposed a limit on the number of veterans’ applications it would process.

Remonde said there is no limit to the numbers of veterans’ applications that PVAO should accommodate.

The veterans complained that they were advised by PVAO personnel in Davao City to send their applications to PVAO Manila since the Davao office could only accommodate 500 claimants.

“The President’s instruction to PVAO and even to other government agencies like the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is very clear – to assist as much as possible all the Filipino veterans in their claims,” Remonde said.

Remonde called on the PVAO and other agencies to follow the President’s instructions to make it as easy as possible for war heroes “to enjoy the justice given to them.”

Government agencies led by the DSWD are providing wheelchairs and medical support for the veterans who can hardly walk when they queue up to file their claims at PVAO offices.

Fast track centers have been put up nationwide to accommodate the thousands of veterans in the regions.

Last Thursday, an 84-year-old veteran died of a heart attack while processing his claims at PVAO in Cebu City. – Jose Rodel Clapano