By Genalyn Kabiling
The old-age pension of Filipino war veterans will be increased to P20,000 per month under the law signed by President Duterte.
President Rodrigo Roa (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Covered by the pension increase approved by the President are veterans of the World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars.
Republic Act No. 11164 or an act increasing the monthly old-age pension of senior veterans was signed by the President last December 20.
"The old-age pension of veterans of World War II, Korean and Vietnam are shall be increased to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000 per month: Provided, That the veterans of Korean and Vietnam wars are not receiving pension from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Provided, further, that the entitlement to the increase in old-age pension shall be limited to the eligible living senior veterans," the law read.
The law stated that the pension increase will not be transferable to any family members or dependents of the senior veterans.
The initial implementation of the pension hike will be sourced from the budget of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). The budget for the succeeding years will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Senator Gregorio Honasan II, principal author of the measure, earlier said the pension hike was a fitting tribute and act of gratitude to the war veterans and their sacrifices. The veterans previously received P5,000 a month.
The new law takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers.