Good news on vets’ pensions

This has reference to Fernando S. Algas Jr.’s letter titled “A serenade for P-Noy” (Opinion, 5/7/13).

We are pleased to inform Algas of the good news that President Aquino has finally approved the partial funding for the long-awaited Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pension of World War II veterans. This welcome development came after Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin wrote the President on April 4, 2013, recommending the partial payment of the TAD pension owed by the government to the veterans.

The President’s directive was relayed in a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on April 8, 2013, and addressed to Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad.

As per the same memorandum, Secretary Abad has been directed to identify and facilitate the release of necessary funds, subject to the following conditions: the determination that revenue

collections exceeded the original revenue targets submitted by the President to Congress; the submission of the verified list of pensioners; the issuance of the guidelines on the disbursement of the funds by the Department of Budget and Management and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; compliance with pertinent provisions of the GAA for 2013, and other budgetary and auditing rules and regulations.

The verified list of living World War II veterans has already been submitted by PVAO to the DBM; the other proper procedures are also underway.

Rest assured that as soon as the DBM releases the funds for the purpose as directed by the President, PVAO will immediately facilitate payment of the remaining TAD pension arrearages to all World War II veterans pursuant to the guidelines.

—LT. GEN. ERNESTO G.

CAROLINA, AFP (Ret.),

administrator,

Philippine Veterans Affairs Office