Higher allowances await Taguig's World War II veterans

MANILA, Philippines — Veterans of World War II residing in Taguig City can expect an increase in their monthly allowances given by the city government.

Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano announced the increase during the wreath-laying ceremony for the 70th celebration of the Liberation of Taguig held at the Taguig City hall grounds on February 23.

Cayetano said the Taguig City council has approved a series of city ordinances granting a monthly allowance and an increase in the benefits being extended to the WWII veterans in Taguig.

The city is also providing other benefits for the veterans' spouses and children, in recognition of their sacrifices, dedication and loyalty to the country.

Under City Ordinance No. 53, Series of 2014 approved last December, the city government of Taguig granted an increase of P5,000 in the monthly allowance of the commander and secretary of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) District 17 covering Taguig-Pateros.

A veteran with a position of District Commander in the VFP Taguig-Pateros will get P7,000 monthly in allowance, from the previous P2,000; the vice commander will get P6,500, from the previous P1,500; and P6,000, from the previous P1,000 for the concurrent secretary, clerk or post commanders.

For war veterans residing in the city who are still living, Mayor Lani said the local government granted a monthly allowance of P5,000 for the veterans whose names are listed in the official roster of the city.

"We should reflect on the heroism of these few good Filipinos who stood their ground for the sake of our country's freedom. It has been a while since their monthly allowance had been increased and now is the time to further increase the financial assistance being given to them by the City of Taguig," Cayetano said.

Under City Ordinance No. 54, Series of 2014, the city council also granted the increase in the burial assistance being extended to the recognized veterans and their spouses, including those listed as widows of veterans in the City of Taguig.

Under this ordinance, veterans and their spouses, including those who are widows of veterans listed in the official roster of veterans in Taguig, are entitled to P20,000 burial assistance, from the previous P10,000.

Under City Ordinance No. 55, Series of 2014, the city council also granted an increase in the monthly honorarium of personnel assigned at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) in Taguig-Pateros.

The PVAO personnel are either sons or daughters of war veterans are serving at PVAO to deliver benefits and services to veterans and their families.

The monthly honorarium of these PVAO personnel in Taguig-Pateros district will now be P1,500, from the previous P500, the
city government said.

"These incentives are just a simple token of appreciation for the heroism shown by these brave soldiers who fought for our freedom during the World War II," Cayetano said.