Cops’ widows hit pension delay

Wives of deceased policemen are planning to stage mass rallies to protest the delay in their monthly pension.

Agitated widows who trooped to the Manila’s Finest Retirees Association, Inc. (MFRAI) office at the Western Police District yesterday complained of their present predicament after failing to receive their monthly pension for two straight months now.

The widows, who have been constantly visiting the Philippine National Police’s Finance Center for their pension, were always told to "come back next week" since there is still no notice of cash allocation (NCA) for their checks.

The almost daily visits at Camp Crame have almost drained their limited financial resources, the widows complained. "Ubos na ang budget namin sa kapa-follow-up ng aming tseke (We had ran out of budget in following up our checks)," said a widow who refused to be identified for fear of retribution. Other widows said they might resort to rallies so that concerned government agencies might take notice of their present plight.

Teresita Clemente, widow of Manila policeman Insp. Felix Clemente, said this is the first time in her seven-year experience as a survivor pensioner, that her pension was delayed. Clemente, who has been receiving P6,097 in monthly pension, wonders why their pensions are being delayed when the amount for the purpose has already been allocated by Congress for this year. — Nestor Etolle