VETERANS AFFAIRS. Post-war veteran and president of the Second Baguio District Veterans Associations, 2Lt. Marcial Guinatang (far right), says during a press conference in Baguio City on Tuesday (April 12, 2022) that as their number goes down, they still yearn for improved government benefits. According to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, only 45 living World War II veterans are left in the Cordillera region. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) said the number of World War II veterans in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) continues to dwindle, with only 45 remaining.
Grace Labarinto, head of the PVAO office in Baguio, said during a press conference on Tuesday that 14 of the living veterans are in Abra, 13 in Baguio City, six in Benguet, five in Kalinga, four in Ifugao, and three in the Mountain Province.
Labarinto added that the oldest is 103 years old, while the ages of the others range from 98 to 100.
"Due to old age, they can no longer come for their annual reporting so we have to go and see them or find out their condition when they do not show up," she said, adding that online reporting or through phone has become an acceptable means of reporting.
Thankful
Post-war veteran and president of the Second Baguio District Veterans Associations, 2Lt. Marcial Guinatang, said they were grateful for President Rodrigo Duterte's help in raising the government benefits they receive.
"Sa mga naka-upo na opisyal, kay President Rodrigo Duterte kami nagpapasalamat dahil nakita niya ang importansiya namin bilang mga veterans (Of the incumbent officials, it is to President Rodrigo Duterte that we are thankful because he saw our importance as veterans)," Guinatang said.
He said his benefits increased by as much as PHP10,000 as a result of the President’s order to increase the salaries of men in uniform and the benefits of retirees.
"Naramdaman namin ito lalo at hindi bumababa sa PHP7,000 ang gastos ko para sa gamot ko pa lang (We felt the increase, especially because I spend not less than PHP7,000 for my medical needs)," he said.
Guinatang said many of his colleagues are already having difficulty moving around and also need financial assistance for their medical needs.
"Matagal na naming hinihingi na maitaas sana ang old-age pension na ngayon ay PHP1,700 kasi kulang na kulang yun para sa pambili ng gamot (We have been requesting an increase in the old-age pension, which at present is PHP1,700. That is not enough to buy medicines)," he said.
"Dalangin namin sa Diyos na sana may makakita ng sitwasyon ng mga veterans na ang iba ay nagbuwis ng buhay, naputulan ng paa, mga kamay, nasugatan sa labanan at ngayon ay sinasabi ng walang pakinabang sa bayan (We pray to God that there would be politicians who will see the condition of the veterans, who gave life and limb in battle but are now viewed as irrelevant to the community).”
He said with the elections nearing, their group and their families are talking among themselves about whom to support in the elections. (PNA)
