MILITARY RETIREES TO GET P6.4B PENSION

In Araw ng Kagitingan speech, Duterte orders ‘immediate release’ of funds President lauds World War II Filipino veterans, who fought with the US against Japanese Veterans with conditions promised free healthcare at Veterans Memorial Medical Center

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered yesterday the concerned government agencies to immediately release P6.421 billion for the pension of military retirees from 2008 to 2013.

Duterte made the order to the Departments of Budget and Management and National Defense during the 75th year commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) in Mt. Samat, Bataan.

"I am directing the Department of Budget and Management, DBM, and the Department of National Defense to expedite the early release of the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) retirees pension cre- dentials for fiscal years 2008 to 2013 in the amount of P6,421,000,000," he said in a speech.

The President also lauded the World War II Filipino veterans, who fought with the United States against then Japanese enemies.

"No matter what we do, we can never do enough to repay you," he said as he assured that the government is doing what it can to alleviate their situation.

"Our surviving veterans have suffered much. They should not suffer more. In the twilight of their years, they deserve a better life. I assure our veterans [and] their families that we are prioritizing your entitlements. We have settled the backlog in disability pensions. We also made the management of almost 200,000 pension accounts more efficient," he said.

He assured that veterans with conditions and their dependents of free healthcare at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center and 152 veterans-accredited hospitals.

"I am instructing them today to further improve their services and accessibility. As a legacy to the next generation, we have subsidized the education of more than 2,500 of our veterans’ dependents under the Iskolar ng Bayan program. With education, we hope they can secure a better future," Duterte said.

"These entitlements do not compare to the sacrifices that you have made. But we want you to know, our nation [and] our people are grateful to you for what you have done and we will do better," he added. He urged the young people to look at the elders with much respect and to view them with a deep sense of thanks.