The provincial government of Pangasinan once again honored World War II veterans of the province through a commemorative program and a medical mission for them and their family members during the 74th Lingayen Gulf Landings and 12th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day.
The program, which was attended by the living veterans and their family members including families of deceased veterans, was led by Governor Amado Espino III along with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and other officials.
In his speech, Espino emphasized the importance of honoring the veterans while they are still living as their number grow smaller each year.
The governor also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the veterans and their families.
“Salamat sa inyong sakripisyo at pag-aalay ninyo ng inyong buhay (Thank you for your sacrifices and for offering your lives),” he said.
“Thank you for your sacrifices and for offering your lives.”
Meanwhile, Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu, in his speech as guest of honor and speaker, also thanked the war veterans and donated P200,000 for the medical expenses of the living Pangasinense World War II veterans.
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office administrator, retired Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, announced that a law increasing the pension of war veterans from P5,000 to P20,000 had just been recently signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We are just waiting for the Republic Act before it would be implemented, but surely it will be this January 2019 since the budget for it was part of this year’s General Appropriation Act,” he said.
Carolina noted at least 300 war veterans die every month and pneumonia is the most common cause of death.
“Habang nandyan pa sila, di lang natin sila papasayahin kundi i-maximize din sila to inspire the youths who will be the future veterans of this nation (While they are still there, we will not only make them happy, but also maximize them to inspire the youths who will be the future veterans of this nation),” he said.
“While they are still there, we will not only make them happy, but also maximize them to inspire the youths who will be the future veterans of this nation.”
Carolina also disclosed a plan to increase the budget for the veterans’ pension to P300 million by 2020 “to ensure that no veteran will pay for his own medicine”.
