PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte ordered Sunday 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 credentials for fiscal years 2008 to 2013 in the amount of 6,421,000,000 (pesos)," 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.
"Take the time to recognize them because what I say is not trite. It is the truth: Without them, we would not be here. Let Araw ng Kagitingan remind us all that Filipinos are capable of tremendous feats of heroism. Let this monument be a beacon for all to be brave in the midst of challenges and uncertainties. Let today be an occasion to reaffirm our vow: we will never waver in our efforts to secure what is best for the greatest common good of our nation," he said. (SDR/VoxPop Philippines)