2,000 Filipino war veterans got claims (P436,140) or (P726,900)
OBAMA BAILOUT PLAN
2,000 Filipino war veterans got claims
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090428-201869/...
By Desiree Caluza
Inquirer Northern Luzon
First Posted 08:40:00 04/28/2009
Filed Under: Veterans Affairs
BAGUIO CITY -- About 2,000 Filipino war veterans have received financial benefits for their service with the United States military during World War II, a US Embassy official said here on Monday.
Jonathan Skelly, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs of the US Embassy, said these war veterans who applied for the benefit through the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office’s outreach program in February received either $9,000 (P436,140) or $15,000 (P726,900), depending on their citizenship status. The one-time lumpsum compensation was integrated in the US bailout plan signed by US President Barack Obama earlier.
Skelly was guest during the 64th anniversary of the Liberation of Baguio on Monday.
He said about 30,000 Filipino war veterans living in the country applied for the benefit and their claims have been undergoing processing.
Skelly said the US government was also aware some veterans had died while waiting for the release of the benefit.
“That is why we encourage veterans not to delay their application. If they feel that they are eligible, they have to file their claims as soon as possible. Anytime a veteran passes away, it is a great tragedy to us,” he said.
If a veteran died before the release of his claim, only the living spouse, not his children, would be eligible to receive the financial benefits, said Skelly.
He said the US Department of Veterans Affairs has been releasing $8 million monthly as assistance to widows of other Filipino war veterans before the equity bill for Filipino veterans was signed by Obama.
“The equity bill is one more way… of honoring the service and bravery of World War II veterans. We do continue to recognize their service in the war and beyond,” Skelly said.
During the program on Monday, some 70 veterans were present to receive honors from the city government and the US Embassy for their contribution to the liberation of Baguio from the Japanese Imperial Army on April 27, 1945.
The surviving veterans, the widows of their colleagues and their children offered roses to those who passed away at the Veterans Park.
Joseph Alabanza, a commissioner of the Baguio Centennial Commission, awarded the veterans centennial commemorative medals.
“We will not be around if not for the veterans. The yellow color of this medal symbolizes gold while red symbolizes the blood that was shed by the soldiers,” Alabanza said.
“The legacy of the veterans is in the hands of the young men and women to make sure that the generations to come will not forget what they did. Look for ways to serve the veterans… who served you,” Skelly said.
“Lend them your ears. We cannot let them pass without sharing their stories to you. Help remind us of your heroism. We can never fully repay the debt that we owe you, but we try to do so in each and every day,” he added.
