Funds for veterans’ disability pension released

President Duterte announced before his 100th day in office that he will release the Total Administrative Disability Pension (TAD) of PVAO (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office) veterans who are 80 years old and above and their surviving spouses. TAD was held by the previous administration, for whatever reasons, only former president Benigno Aquino III can answer.

True enough, I received a letter from retired lieutenant general Ernesto C. Carolina, PVAO administrator, last Oct. 26 informing me of the remittance of my PVAO pension through my depository bank. The letter also advised veterans to be aware of unscrupulous fixers and their modus operandi.

By way of background, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who had served the AFP for at least six years or more, upon reaching age 65, are entitled to a monthly pension of P5,000. Those who reach age 70 and above receive an additional P1,700 because they are considered totally “administrative disabled.” Their widows are entitled to the same benefits. Generals and enlisted men receive the same amount of monthly PVAO pension.

According to Carolina, a P4.773-billion fund was released on Sept. 13, 2016 to the veterans as directed by President Duterte. This covers the payable TAD arrears of 21,683 surviving widows of World War II veterans and 4,232 AFP retirees who are 80 years old and above. As of end of September 2016, P2.247 billion was already remitted to 13,847 beneficiaries of deceased World War II veterans and 4,232 AFP retirees.

On behalf of the veterans/widows and of myself, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to President Duterte.

Mabuhay ang PVAO. We salute you, Mr. President.

JOEL R. HINLO, retired AFP brigadier general, Jr_hinlo@yahoo.com.ph