PHILIPPINE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE
OFFICE FOR PUBLIC & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

PRESS RELEASE
                 
 Date:  December 3, 2009             Releasing Officer:  Liza T. Dela Cruz
                                                           AH, Office for Public & Legislative Affairs
                                                            Tel No. 912-4526

 

                Approved:     ERNESTO G. CAROLINA                              
                                      Undersecretary / PVAO Administrator
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Reminder: Filing of FVEC Claims ends by February 2010

 

            The United States has appropriated some US $198 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) benefit of eligible Filipino WWII veterans. This  act which was signed into law on February 17, 2009 by US President Barrack  Obama authorizes a one-time lump-sum payment of US $15,000 to Filipino WW II veterans with US citizenship and US $9,000 to non-US citizens.

            The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), true to its commitment in serving our living heroes, has been working closely with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) by reaching out and assisting all Filipino WW II veterans facilitate their claims application. Upon the direction of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Fast-Track Centers were established nationwide, using the PVAO Field Service Extension Offices to assist the USDVA personnel in accepting applications of claimants from the different provinces. Application forms are available at the PVAO Field Offices and at the PVAO Head Office. It can also be downloaded at www.vba.va.gov.

            As reported by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Manila Regional Office at the US Embassy in Manila, more than 11,000 FVEC claims have already been processed and some US $105 million had been paid out for this benefit. Notably, the USDVA pays approximately $17 million per month to veterans residing in the Philippines.

            Today, barely three months before the deadline of filing, which is February 16, 2010, those claimants who have yet to file an application, are urgently reminded to do so now to avoid the eleventh hour rush. This time, the USDVA will have representatives available to accept claims at the following locations on the dates listed, to wit:
            

Location/Province	Address	Date	Time
PVAO San Fernando , Pampanga	Cleofer’s Bldg., Gen. Hizon Extension, San Fernando City , Pampanga	Nov 19, 2009	8am -2pm
PVAO Cebu City , Cebu	CENTCOM, Camp Lapu-Lapu Lahug, Cebu City , Cebu	Jan 14, 2010	8am -2pm
PVAO Davao City , Davao del Sur	Door 4, Gutierrez Compound, Abad Santos Ave. , Davao City, Davao del Sur	Feb 11, 2010	8am -2pm

            Two weeks ago, a representative of the USDVA was available at the PVAO Field Service Extension Office in Baguio City from 8:00 o’clock in the morning up to 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon to accept claims for FVEC benefit.

            Those claimants seeking assistance in completing their applications can make an appointment with a USDVA representative by calling (632) 528-2500 or 1-800-1888 -5252 outside of Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, FVEC claimants whose claims have been disapproved but wish to appeal are advised as well to file an appeal by writing a letter to the Board of Veterans’ Appeal telling them that you disagree with the decision of the board. The letter called “Notice of Disagreement” should be filed within one year from the date of the letter denying the benefit.

            Failure to file the appeal on time or within the one-year period will render the decision final. Upon receipt of the Notice of Disagreement, the Board of Veterans’ Appeal will either grant the request or send the VA Form 9 with the Statement of the Case. This form has to be returned after duly completing the same if claimant decides to pursue the appeal.

            The claimant, if he chooses, shall be accorded a hearing by the Board. The VA Form 9 with the Statement of the Case will be sent with complete information about the kinds of hearings the Board offers and convenient check boxes for requesting a Board hearing.

            For more information about appealing to the Board, a “plain language” booklet entitled “How Do I Appeal” is available on the internet at: http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/pamphlet.htm or maybe requested by writing to: Mail Processing Section (014), Board of Veterans’ Appeals, 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington DC 20420.