AS the country commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9, also known as the Day of Valor, which marks the greatness and heroism of Filipinos and American soldiers when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II, a lawmaker is still optimistic that the measure increasing the burial assistance for veterans from P10,000 to P20,000 will pass in the Senate.
Rep. Herminia Roman (1st District, Bataan), Chairperson of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare and author of House Bill 229, said the measure which was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading on February 9, 2011 and transmitted to the Senate on February 14, 2011, will be a great help for the families of Filipino veterans.
Roman said the present burial assistance of P10,000 is not enough to help the deceased veterans and their dependents.
“A decent interment befitting a gentleman in uniform should be accorded to our veterans. The measure is in recognition of the heroic services of these veterans, in times of war and peace,” Roman said.
Roman said an estimated P75 million budget is needed for this measure to be implemented, and suggested that funds may be sourced from other income generating programs of government possibly including part of the sin-tax revenue.
“As veterans, they deserve the government’s attention and support. After all, they have rendered invaluable service to our country so it is only proper for the government to increase the burial assistance extended to the families of deceased veterans to defray the high-cost of burial services,” Roman underscored.
Under the bill, the P20,000 shall be given to the person who defrayed the expenses for the funeral of a deceased veteran as a burial assistance upon filing within two years from the death of the veteran.
In the Senate, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Francis “Chiz” Escudero have filed a similar measure, Senate Bill 2851 or “An Act Increasing The Burial Assistance For Military Veterans From Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) To Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00), Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 6948, As Amended, Otherwise Known As An Act Standardizing And Upgrading The Benefits For Military Veterans And Their Dependents.”