US Senate approves Filipino veterans benefits

[Zeus]

US Senate approves Filipino veterans benefits


[SIZE=2]By RODNEY JALECO[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]ABS-CBN North America Bureau[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]It was a momentous day for Filipino World War II veterans. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Officials, Fil-Ams eye House after equity bill wins in US Senate[/SIZE][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]WASHINGTON D.C. - More than six decades after it stripped over 140,000 Filipino World War II veterans of recognition and benefits due them, the US Congress took a huge step to right a wrong, fulfilling a promise to old comrades.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][SIZE=2]The US Senate voted 96-1 to pass S-1315, otherwise known as the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, that also contained the Filipino veterans equity bill. [/SIZE][/SIZE]
more...
[SIZE=2]The United States Senate on Thursday morning overwhelmingly approved legislation that would give pension benefits to about 18,000 Filipino veterans who fought alongside US forces in the Philippines during World War II.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Voting 96-1, the senators approved S1315 or the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, which includes the Filipino Veterans’ Equity Bill. The measure is part of a broader bill that would expand health, education, housing and pension benefits for US veterans.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]"It is estimated that 10,000 Filipinos died during the Bataan Death March, along with 3,000 US soldiers," said Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka, a Hawaii Democrat and a chief sponsor of the measure. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]"The Philippines throughout the war suffered great loss of life and tremendous physical damage," he said.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]The final vote was preceded by intense debate between the Democrat proponents of the bill led by Akaka and North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, author of the proposed amendment that would have excluded thousands of Filipino veterans living in the Philippines. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]The opponents argued that the $300 a month pension was too generous and those veterans still living in the Philippines already receive a pension from their own government.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Of some 470,000 Filipinos who joined with US forces to fight the Japanese, some 18,000 are still living.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]The White House also opposed the Filipino pension measure but even so six Republicans crossed party lines to support S1315 and the full benefits for Filipinos veterans in the Philippines. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Sen. Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican who opposed Burr's amendment, said the pension benefit for Filipino World War II veterans was long overdue and argued during the Senate debate that the cost would not be all that great.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]"The youngest age involved is 82," said Stevens, who will turn 85 this year. "They are just not going to be with us that long."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]"Anyone who would give you some estimate of billions of dollars that it is going to cost to take care of these people and give them what they were entitled to long ago -- I think it is overestimating it," he added.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Voting 56-41, Burr's amendment was shot down. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]S1315 provides for a special monthly $300 nonservice disability pension to surviving members of the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) and the Filipino scouts living in the Philippines.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Filipino veterans in the US will get the same pension as their American counterparts, whose benefits range from $900 to $1,400 a month depending on their personal circumstances[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]The legislation now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Veterans’ rights activists in the US lauded the Senate vote, saying the US government is on its way to restoring justice and dignity for ageing Filipino veterans. The activists said their next step is to prepare for debates and final vote in the US Congress and convince the White House to support the measure. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]California Rep. Bob Filner has also expressed support for the bill, the group said. With Reuters[/SIZE]

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Apr. 25, 2008

At last, benefits for our living heroes

[Jun aka Pekto]

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Apr. 25, 2008

At last, benefits for our living heroes

It's about time. 10 years is a long time coming.

[v6dreamer]

Mabuti naman kung ganoon, its a long due ang mga pera na yan. Kung makikita ninyo lang sana ang mga beteranong pinoy ang buhay nila dito nakakaawa. They are old and can no longer work, umaasa lang sila sa SSI na tulong ng gobyerno and barely enought na ikabubuhay nila tapos magpapadala pa sila diyan sa atin sa kanilang mga pamilya. Meron silang tambayan dito at doon nalang sila maghapong naguusap.

[artpogi]

My dad, who is here in Pinas, will benefit from that. Well my personal opinion is, it's too late. Pero sabi nga nila better late than never. But I'm happy for the WWII Pinoy veterans for this major win, they really deserve this one.

Anyway, the Senate win is a big step, I believe it still have to go thru Congress and if Congress approves it, let's hope that whoever the next US President will be will not veto it.

[CVT]

My father who is also living here in the country is also a veteran.

We are not after the $, but the recognition and the realization from the West and the rest of the world, that these brave young men then, barely out of their teens, fought alongside the Americans/Allied Forces, to liberate the free world from the Japanese.

Because they fought tooth and nail vs. the occupational forces, they were able to slow down the advance of the Japanese and gave precious time to the Americans to regroup themselves to stage a comeback in the Pacific war front.

This is long overdue. I just hope that it will reach Pres. Bush's desk soon, so that he can immediately sign The Bill.

OT: I still remember the scene when I was descending on an escalator in one of the 'malls' in the US and heard someone playing 'Kapantay Ay Langit' on the piano, a few years ago. It was a Filipino War Veteran who was playing for his fellow Filipino Veterans who were gathered around. I knew that they were Filipino Veterans because of the headgears that they were wearing. I can feel that they're lonely and longing for home. I greeted them 'Magandang Umaga Po", and they returned the greeting.

It was a forlorn sight, but everytime I go to the US, I always pass by that 'mall' hoping that I can chance on them. Unfortunately, I was only lucky on that day.

To the Filipino Veterans, I salute you for fighting for our freedom!

5909:burn:

[hubertq34]

aba magandang balita to para sa mga kabayan natin na matagal ng naghihintay.

[KBR]

Mabuti naman kung ganoon, its a long due ang mga pera na yan. Kung makikita ninyo lang sana ang mga beteranong pinoy ang buhay nila dito nakakaawa. They are old and can no longer work, umaasa lang sila sa SSI na tulong ng gobyerno and barely enought na ikabubuhay nila tapos magpapadala pa sila diyan sa atin sa kanilang mga pamilya. Meron silang tambayan dito at doon nalang sila maghapong naguusap.

sir, tama ka diyan. nakaka-awa talaga ang mga surviving WWII veterans natin. and they are really old, although may mga iba na may nag aalaga sa kanila na family members. pero yung iba, solo flight! may mga ilan din na walang pamilya dito sa US (either na iwan ang family sa Pinas).

but anywayz, kahit dito din may tambayan sila dito (and yes, madami sila at kalat kalat ang lugar nila) pero iisang lugar ang pinaka favorite spot nila.

sa Mc Donalds!!



aite, peace.

[empy]

about time is right. the free world owes a debt of gratitude to these fine men and women, the same way we do to the other Allied soldiers of WWII.

in fact, i think we should apologize that it took so long and compensate them for at least some retroactive benefits. as a US taxpayer i can certainly get behind this cause :thumbup:

[Zeus]

OBAMA STIMULUS PLAN
Filipino war vets to get $198M from US


By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:19:00 02/14/2009




MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) About 20,000 surviving Filipino World War II veterans and their dependents are set to receive $198 million in lump sum benefits, as President Barack Obama’s $787-billion stimulus plan passed by US Congress Saturday includes a provision compensating their military service.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Philippine Ambassador in Washington Willie Gaa hailed the passage of the bill, which allocates $15,000 for a US-based Filipino war veteran and $9,000 for those living elsewhere.
“I share the profound sense of joy that our nation and especially our Filipino World War II veterans feel with the passage in the US Congress of a law that recognizes their military service and grants them the benefits that they so truly deserve,” Romulo said in a statement e-mailed to media outfits.
The US Senate voted 60-38 to pass the measure hours after it cleared the House of Representatives by a lopsided 246-183 margin late Friday US time. Obama hailed it as "a major milestone on our road to recovery" and promised to sign it into law shortly.

The measure seeks to correct a 63-year injustice suffered by Filipino veterans who were stripped of benefits such as health care, disability pensions, and burial expenses by the 1946 Rescission Act of the United States.
“It has been a long and difficult struggle through the decades, but the effort was well worth it. Our brave and selfless veterans have served as a glowing inspiration for all of us and their faith and trust in our efforts have provided all of us a strong motivation to help secure justice for their cause,” Gaa said.
About 250,000 Filipino soldiers fought alongside US troops during World War II. Only 18,000 to 20,000 remain alive.
Romulo quoted a section of the stimulus package, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as saying that the US “honors its promise to … one of its staunchest allies. The passage of this bill further cements and strengthens the foundations of our deep and historic partnership.”

Both Romulo and Gaa thanked the Filipino veterans’ supporters and advocates in the US Congress, among them Senators Daniel Inouye, Daniel Akaka, Harry Reid, Richard Lugar; former Senator Ted Stevens; Speaker Nancy Pelosi; and Representatives Bob Filner, Darrell Issa, and Mike Honda. He also expressed gratitude to the Philippine-US Friendship Caucus.
“I would also like to thank all our supporters in the Filipino-American community and most of all, our Filipino World War II veterans who never gave up the fight,” Romulo said.
“To the Filipino American community, take pride in this moment,” Gaa said. “Your advocacy and activism on this issue through the decades have been instrumental in this achievement.”
Both Romulo and Gaa also attributed the passage of the veteran provision in the bill to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s strong advocacy and support for it.
Romulo said the President’s visit to Washington early this month greatly contributed to the fruition of the decades’ long struggle of the Filipino war veterans.
He said Arroyo’s “visit to Washington early this month came at a crucial time: the provisions on our veterans were in danger of being dropped in the midst of budgetary difficulties and demanding and new priorities.”
“During that visit, the President met with key Congressional leaders and made a powerful pitch for our veterans,” Romulo said.
The Philippine embassy in Washington said the average age of Filipino war veterans is 85 and about 10 die every day due to old age and disease

This is aside from the monthly pension I think...

[Zeus]

Double post

[redorange]

Correct me if I am wrong but if I recall from my civics class and Saturday morning cartoons this is just a bill that passed the Senate. It still has to pass the House and be signed by the President before the veterans get anything. I have seen a lot of bills get pass the Senate and die before it even gets out of the House much less make it to the Presidents desk. I know people are saying it's about time but nothing has been accomplished since the bill is still not a law. A bill is just that a bill and not a law so it doesn't grant the veterans anything until it becomes law. Let's wait until it becomes law before we start celebrating.

[empy]

Correct me if I am wrong but if I recall from my civics class and Saturday morning cartoons this is just a bill that passed the Senate. It still has to pass the House and be signed by the President before the veterans get anything. I have seen a lot of bills get pass the Senate and die before it even gets out of the House much less make it to the Presidents desk. I know people are saying it's about time but nothing has been accomplished since the bill is still not a law. A bill is just that a bill and not a law so it doesn't grant the veterans anything until it becomes law. Let's wait until it becomes law before we start celebrating.

yes, you are right, but passing the senate means that there's some progress. the bill in general is getting heavy opposition from the minority (republicans) because they feel that there is way too much pork/nonessential spending in the bill...so nothing is certain as of now.

i'm kind of irritated with President Obama right now because i am not going to qualify for the stimulus package and he's kind of squeezing my company right now (we are in financial services). and some of the spending that the bill is proposing is pure BS.

but even though this particular provision for Filipino war veterans is coming under heavy fire as unnecessary and frivolous, i completely disagree. a country must take care of the people who fought for its freedom, period. end of story.

[rion]

they had to wait until only few living veterans are left... that's a lot of savings...

like what UK did to the Burma verterans.

[CVT]

Again, not after the $, but the recognition of these brave young people!

7505:bravo:

[ab_initio]

^^sometimes we tend to be ungrateful for the past favors...with that, history is gonna repeat itself...until the living appreciates the sacrifices of the yesteryear.

[empy]

Again, not after the $, but the recognition of these brave young people!

7505:bravo:

chief, these guys are at least a half-century away from being called "young people"

[CVT]

chief, these guys are at least a half-century away from being called "young people"

Thanks bro.....

What I was trying to impress here is that these young men were willing to risk their lives then. (Kindly refer to my earlier post before my post which you quoted). Do we have the same commitment now?

7505:bravo:

[Zeus]

Pres. Obama just signed the Stimulus Bill...so finally can our veterans now recieve their benefits?

[tidus1203]

While I am happy for the veterans, this thing is actually part of Obama's economic stimulus plan... I don't see how veterans benefits for another country can stimulate the US economy? That said it just goes to show that there is a lot of PORK SPENDING rather than STIMULATIVE SPENDING on the plan.

But again, I am happy for the veterans they deserve it since they were considered Americans during the war so their country owes them...

[Zeus]

Filvets can go to 14 sites in RP to claim benefits

JOSEPH LARIOSA, GMANews.TV
02/19/2009 | 06:12 PM


CHICAGO/MANILA – Filipino World War II veterans can claim their benefits in 14 different Philippine Veterans Affairs Offices (PVAO) in the Philippines, the US Embassy said on Thursday.

A statement posted on its Web site at US Embassy Web site said that for an individual to be eligible for payment, the US Department of Veterans Affairs must receive the individual’s claim not later than February 16, 2010.

The deadline of filing is one year from the date US President Barack Obama signed the historic legislation on February 17, 2009, providing for a new one-time lump-sum benefit payment for Filipino veterans.

"The United States has great respect for the bravery and service of Philippine WWII veterans and for their partnership with the US military in defending freedom. This new legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, formally recognizes the service of Filipino WWII veterans as active military service in the Armed Forces for purposes of this law," the statement said.

Officials of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs arrived in Manila Thursday to oversee the processing of claims for the one-time lump-sum benefit payment signed into law on February 17, 2009.

The benefits provide a tax-free, one-time $9,000 (roughly P430,000) non-service connected compensation for veterans who are not US citizens, and $15,000 (roughly P717,000) for veterans who are US citizens.

According to the US Embassy statement, veterans can inquire about and submit claims for the new lump-sum benefit at the USDVA Manila Regional Office located at the US Embassy in Manila.

The USDVA will also have representatives available to accept claims at the following locations throughout the Philippines on the dates listed below:

• Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) central office at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City;
• Veterans Memorial Medical Center at North Avenue, Quezon City;
• National Highway cor. Diversion Rd., Pagdaraoan, San Fernando City, La Union;
• 1-A Callangan Bldg., Bonifacio St., Tuguegarao, Cagayan;
• USAFIPNL Camp Henry T. Allen, Baguio City;
• Cleofer’s Bldg., Gen. Hizon Extension, City of San Fernando, Pampanga;
• Provincial Capitol, Batangas City;
• ANST Bldg., Washington Drive, Legazpi City, Albay;
• Old Provincial Capitol Bldg., Iloilo City;
• Centcom, Camp Lapu-Lapu Lahug, Cebu City;
• 126 Gomez St., Tacloban City, Leyte;
• Southcom Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City;
• Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. and
• Door 4, Gutierrez Compound, Abad Santos Avenue, Davao City.

Veterans can apply from Feb. 19 to 27, 2009 at the PVAO central office and the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center.

For the regional offices, the USDVA representatives will accept claims from Feb. 24 and 26, 2009.

Claimants are requested to bring the following information and documentation (if applicable) when filing their claims:

• Two forms of Identification (such as passport, driver’s license, Senior Citizen ID, Bureau of Post ID, Voter ID, etc. )
• VA Claim number
• Service Number
• Philippine Veterans Affairs Office claim number
• Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Pension bank account number
• US Passport (if a US Citizen)

“If a veteran is unable to appear in person, the US Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Office will arrange to obtain the application in an appropriate manner. Claims from spouses, widows and children of Filipino WWII veterans will not be accepted," said the statement.

A similar statement was also issued by the office of Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (Democrat - Hawaii), chairman of US Senate Veterans Affairs committee.

The benefits that were included in The Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (Dem.- Hawaii), US Senate Appropriations Committee chair, is being facilitated for distribution because most of the recipients are aged between 85 and 90 and are very sickly, said Akaka's office.

Said the US Embassy statement, "Although claims are now being accepted, information regarding the actual release of payments will be provided as it becomes available. This information will be available on the US Embassy website.

For more information please dial (632) 528-2500 within Metro Manila or from outside Manila toll-free at 1-800-1888-5252. Or contact VA via e-mail at https://iris.va.gov. - GMANews.TV

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