Binay backs GOCC petition to hike donations to VMMC

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday expressed his support for a government-owned and controlled corporation’s request to increase its donations to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center and Filipino War Veterans Federation Inc. this year.

As the country prepares to observe the forthcoming anniversary of the Fall of Bataan on April 9, Binay echoed his support for this initiative.

Speaking during the Review in Honor of the Veterans at the Hunters ROTC Guerilla Field at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio yesterday, Binay said that Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA) administrator Leo Magno sent a letter to President Aquino “asking his permission to increase PIA’s donation to P20 million” this year.

PIA’s donation has increased yearly. It donated P5 million in 2011, P8 million in 2012 and P10 million in 2013.

“We have come a long way compared to the 2010 allocation of only P2 million. We are thankful for all the help that has been raised but this is only a start, and we are working even harder to secure more resources so that we can once again infuse our veterans’ programs with the vigor they need to last the tests of time,” Binay said.

“Just as we pay tribute to the honored dead, we work tirelessly to ensure that those who are with us still receive the support and recognition of a truly grateful nation,” he added.

Binay also asked Filipinos to remember and emulate the sacrifices of war veterans in defending the country’s freedom during the war years.

He lauded the production of films such as the “Death March” by Adolfo Alix Jr., which provides a clear picture of the realities that war veterans faced.

“These memories, however sad, remind us and urge us with the greatest possible urgency to never forget our obligations and opportunities to give back to our war veterans and the families they left behind,” he said.