More programs created to help vets get benefits

BASCO, Batanes, Philippines – Even as there have been no public announcements on the recently approved P4.7-billion budget for the proposed increase in pension of thousands of retirees, veterans still have reason to be happy.

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Finance Center (AFPFC) have come up with programs that would no longer require veterans to appear personally before the two agencies during their birth month.

Veterans previously had to appear before the two pension agencies to show proof they were still alive and deserved to continue receiving their monthly pension benefits.

“PVAO has shifted its mode of validating from its previous methods of sending annual proof of life forms (PUF) to require the pensioners to submit their PUF,” said Melinda Luna, AFPFC Veterans Records Management Division chief.

“We are now partnering with the Philippine Statistics Authority and Philippine Postal Corporation in maintaining close coordination and data-sharing. We also have established linkages with the different offices of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and the city and municipal civil registrar offices,” Luna added.

“With these linkages, we hope to neutralize the interest and welfare of pensioners and the government in providing efficient and effective service to our pensioners and cleanse the pensioners’ list of ineligible veterans and pensioners.”

On the other hand, the AFPFC has adopted a scheme that no longer requires pensioners to visit its offices in Camp Aguinaldo to prove they are alive.

AFPFC chief Rizaldo Limos said the pensioner can update his status by mailing a proof of life form, with a photo of the pensioner holding the latest newspaper or through social media via Skype to
(afppgmc.pension1) or email at [email protected].

Limos said the pensioner can authorize a representative, through a special power of attorney, to collect or visit the nearest authorized government depository banks.