SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) -- The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Field Extension Office in Iloilo City stressed the different benefits and services that senior and post-war veterans and their dependents may avail of.

PVAO Iloilo Officer-in-Charge Glen E. Castañares said that senior veterans, or those who served during World War II, and post-war veterans, or retirees from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), are entitled to different pension and non-pension benefits.

The beneficiaries of deceased veterans may also receive a Death Pension worth P1,000 per month, while veterans at the age of 70 are considered totally disabled and, as such, are entitled to P1,700 monthly under the Total Administrative Disability (TAD) Pension.

Meanwhile, non-pension benefits include educational assistance to direct descendants, burial assistance, and the VMHCP or the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) Hospitalization and Medical Care Program.

Each veteran is entitled to one educational benefit of not more than P40,000 per year for any four-year college course, while burial assistance of P20,000, with the Philippine Flag to drape the casket of the deceased veteran, may be availed but must be filed within two years from the veteran’s death.

With these, Castañares urges living veterans and the surviving spouse and descendants of deceased war heroes to avail of the different benefits that they rightfully deserve for their gallantry, patriotism, and service to the country and humanity. (AAL/BPS/PIA Antique/Courtesy: Philippine Veterans Affairs Office)