Payment of WWII veterans disability benefits rests
on DBM

After 15 long years of waiting, World War II (WWII) veterans are now expecting to receive their Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pension benefits before year 2009 ends. The veterans are very thankful to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo  who announced during the WWII Veterans Assembly last September 3, 2009 that the government may already start paying arrears on TAD.

Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. followed through the President’s pronouncement by requesting the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release Php 3 Billion to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office for the partial payment of at least four years worth of TAD arrearages to WWII veterans who are 80 years of age and above. This group of veterans is dwindling rapidly each year with an average of 300 veterans dying every month.  Total TAD arrears government owe the veterans have accumulated to P25.0B.

In his letter to DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr. early November before relinquishing his office, Teodoro stressed that the release of funds for the remaining WWII veterans would at least allow them to “hold and enjoy” a portion of their benefit while they are still living.

“The veterans have been looking forward to the payment of their benefits and the pronouncement of the President has given them hope and inspiration. The support of the House Committees on Appropriation and Veterans Affairs and Welfare has also heightened their expectations that the Presidential announcement would finally reward their long wait, “ Teodoro added.

Secretary Ermita on his personal letter to DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya recommended favorable action on the letter of Secretary Teodoro to implement the pronouncement of the President.

Enacted in 1994 under RA No. 7696, TAD pension states that “a veteran, with or without a service-connected disability, upon reaching the age of 70 is deemed totally disabled with 100% rating and shall be entitled to a monthly pension of Php1,700.”

However, no amount has been released yet for the TAD pension since its signing into law.

The Php 3 Billion amount was included under the Unprogrammed Fund of RA No. 9524, General Appropriations Act, FY 2009 to partially pay the arrears in TAD pension benefits.

The government has one more month to go to identify the funding source and fulfill its promise to some 35,626 WWII living veterans waiting for the long overdue benefit. The President has already issued the directives. Veterans leaders have likewise appealed for the release of the funds in time for the Christmas season. It all depends on the DBM.