M’lupa hails war veterans

The Muntinlupa City government has paid tribute to war veterans and raised the burial financial assistance for their families from P5,000 to P20,000.

Merlinda Medina of the city’s War Veterans’ Office, said the move is aimed at recognizing the heroic acts of war veterans who are now aged 80 to 90 years old.

The increase in benefits was made possible through an ordinance approved by the Muntinlupa City Council led by Councilor Lucio Constantino.

There are about 500 registered war veterans in the city. Some 300 are still living.

Muntinlupa recently celebrated its 61st year as a city freed from Japanese occupation during World War II.

During the festivities, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi hailed the hundreds of war veterans who helped liberate the city from Japanese colonial rule.

About 200 war veterans and their families attended the activity.

Fresnedi, assisted by Community Affairs Office chief Silverio Taloma, personnel of the Veterans’ Office, and groups active in the promotion of the war veterans’ welfare, distributed rice and bags of groceries to veterans and their families.

The former soldiers were also provided free medical assistance on the said occasion.

"While heroes then and now differ somehow in terms of their ideals and contributions to the country, it is but fitting to give them recognition," Taloma said. — Rhodina Villanueva