Release WWII veterans’ benefits

Binay to PNoy:

Vice President Jejomar Binay has asked the Aquino administration to release some 17 billion in disability benefits intended for the World War II (WWII) veterans before it’s too late.

Binay reminded the administration Thursday about the existence of 80,000 beneficiaries composed of war veterans and the surviving spouses of deceased veterans.

“The administration has underspent on many projects from different departments and agencies. It can very surely allocate funds for the veterans and wives of deceased veterans. Some have died before they even received their benefit. Let’s have pity on them,” Binay said.

“Are we simply going to wait for our veterans to die as well as the spouses of our deceased veterans)?” asked the opposition boss and 2016 presidential aspirant.

Binay, likewise, backed the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office’s (PVAO’s) proposal to increase the monthly cash benefit for veterans from 5,000 to 20,000.

At present, veterans and widows of deceased veterans receive 5,000 in monthly pension and 1,000 to 1,700 in disability benefit if the veteran has reached the age of 70 or were injured in line of duty.