Philippine President Increases Pensions To Filipino Vets; Calls On U.S. Government To Pass Equity Bill

April 9, 2008 2:47 p.m. EST

Mt. Samat, Philippines (AHN) - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo marked the 66th Araw ng Kagitingan, also known as the Fall of Bataan, on Wednesday by giving more benefits to WWII veterans with a new law.

The President signed the bill after a speech at the Mt. Samat Shrine wherein she called on U.S. Amb. Kristie A. Kenney to help work for the approval the equity bill in the U.S. that would grant Filipino veterans the same benefits as their American counterparts.

"A delegation including Sen. [Richard] Gordon and [Sorsogon Rep. Jose] Solis will leave this month [for the U.S.] to lobby for the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill," she said. "But of course we will begin lobbying with Amb. Kenney here at Mt. Samat."

Under the current law, Filipino veterans have a monthly pension of P500 and are prohibited from receiving benefits from the U.S. government. The newly approved Filipino World War II Veterans Pension and Benefits Act of 2008 increases old age pensions for veterans to P5,000 monthly. Veterans can now receive benefits to be granted by the Bush administration once the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill is passed by the U.S. Congress. The bill will provide nearly $90 million annually to nearly 18,000 Filipino veterans in the Philippines and the U.S.

The President also highlighted the achievements of her administration in providing benefits to Filipino veterans, one of which was the payment of outstanding old age pensions to 12,000 veterans in a span of two years. "Since last year, we have doubled the budget to P3.5 billion so that outstanding old age pensions can be settled by this year, 2008," she added.

Kenney earlier joined the President and Japanese Amb. Makoto Katsura in laying a wreath at the war memorial. During her speech at the event, Kenney praised the courage of Filipino veterans and urged an audience that included young students and girl scouts to "take the chance to be heroes" when presented with the opportunity. But she was non-committal when asked by reporters about whether she wants the equity bill passed in the U.S.