It has been difficult for Elia Olivas, 84, a pensioner of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and surviving spouse of a World War II veteran, to walk properly given her old age.
 
She said she would always need someone to assist her when standing and/or walking.
 
But this changed when she received a wheelchair from PVAO Field Service Extension Office-1 in Vigan City in March.
 
“Mas madali na ngayong may wheelchair na akong ginagamit, nakakalabas-labas na at pati pag-proseso sa pension update ko sa opisina ng PVAO ay ako na rin ang pumupunta kapag kaya,” she said in a phone patch interview with the Philippine Information Agency.
 
She added her request for an ambulatory device was immediately approved and was given to her in less than a month.
 
“Mabilis lang ang pagbigay ng PVAO sa wheelchair kaya laking pasasalamat ko sa PVAO sa pagproseso at pagresponde ng mabilis sa aking request,” she added.
 
Elias Lacena, 67, is also grateful for the same assistance he received from PVAO on September 21, 2022.
 
According to Reynalyn Lacena, his daughter, Lacena was partially paralyzed for a few years as he suffered from a stroke in 2018.
 
“Maraming salamat PVAO sa wheelchair at sa lahat ng assistance na binibigay niyo sa tatay ko,” she said.

Kenneth Agapina, whose grandmother-in-law is Genoveva Cabusca – a PVAO pensioner, also expressed his gratitude to the PVAO for the wheelchair they gave to his grandmother.
 
“Magandang bagay ito kasi hindi talaga siya nakakatayo at nakakapaglakad, nahihirapan na. Kaya malaking tulong ito lalo kapag lalabas siya, mas madali na,” he said when he received the ambulatory device at the PVAO office on Thursday.
 
A total of 10 ambulatory devices were provided to PVAO pensioners this year, according to Veterans Assistant Officer II Victoria Antiporda.
 
Apart from wheelchairs, single canes, and walkers were also awarded to the pensioners depending on their requests.
 
“One of the mandates of PVAO is to ensure the wellbeing of its pensioners, of which is to provide healthcare assistance to them, not only the ambulatory devices but also medicines,” Antiporda said.
 
Aside from their monthly pension, active members of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines receive P1,000 yearly to procure nutritional supplements.
 
For PVAO pensioners aged 85 years old and below who wish to request for ambulatory device/s, they should submit a medical certificate stating as to why they need the device while for 86 years old and above, they just need to submit a picture showing their medical/physical condition.
 
Moreover, a letter request addressed to the PVAO Central Office must be attached to be submitted to the nearest PVAO Field Service Office.
 
As of June 30, there are a total of 1,338 PVAO pensioners in Ilocos Sur. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)