Gov’t Fast Tracks Legislation of 300% Pension Hike for War Veterans

As the country commemorated the 74th year anniversary of the historic Leyte Gulf Landings on October 20, the Philippine government has announced here that they are fast tracking the process for the increase of monthly pension of Filipino war veterans.

“To honor their sacrifices, we have fast tracked the legislation that seeks to increase their monthly old-age pension from P5,000 to P20,000,” said Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office during the commemorative program.

Carolina added that this legislation, which the Senate has passed on third and final reading, will benefit about 6,000 of our nation’s most senior veterans.

Carolina also paid tribute to the war veterans present during the commemoration and offered wreath at the memorial site together with other dignitaries and local officials in honor of the memory of the fallen comrades.

“To them, I offer my highest respect for their gallantry and exceptional courage as well as their selfless sacrifices to liberate our country,” he said.

Carolina informed that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also sent his greetings and salutations to everyone in attendance during the commemoration of the significant event.

“The President affirms his genuine solidarity to the people of Leyte who religiously hold this annual commemoration to take pride of the heroism of our forebears, our war veterans who fought to defend their nation during the Second World War and secure for their own people, the freedom, peace and democracy we now enjoy,” he shared.

This year’s commemoration banners the theme, “Keeping Alive the Valour of the Heroes of World War II.” (PIA-8)