WAR VETS' PENSION HIKE TO BE OK'D DEC

The current pension of the veterans will be increased four times from the current amount they are receiving

A government official said the bill on increasing the pension of war veterans is expected to be signed into law by December this year.

The House Bill No. 270 or "An Act Increasing the Monthly Pension of Senior Veterans" was introduced by Representative Geraldine B. Roman.

The current pension of veterans pegged at P5,000 was passed nearly two decades ago which shows that it is not enough to the needs of the veteran. The pension increase of the senior war veteran is due to the the decreasing number of veterans according to their age.

In the bill, the World War II (WWII) veteran pension will be P20,000 from P5,000 while the Armed Forces of the Philippines veteran pension will have an additional P1,700 when the veteran reaches 70 years old.

However, the increased pension is only applicable to the living war veteran and it is not transferrable to any family member.

"Hopefully kung ma signan siya December this year, maimplement na siya January 2019," Remedios A. Josol, head of Field Service Extension Office of Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, said in a phone interview yesterday.

Meanwhile, Josol said they are currently using using biometrics for updating and application of war veterans.

"Maong naa ang biometric para di na hasol mag fill up, (There is biometric so that there will be no hassle in filling up forms)," she said, adding that the biometrics will be used by able war veterans for updating their application or documents at their office.

However, the veterans who no longer have the capability of going to their office may authorize any family member to do so on their behalf. /