In commemoration of National Heroes Day, President Duterte has ordered the release of P4.7 billion for the benefits of widows of fallen soldiers as well as aging retired soldiers.
Of the budget, the President said P3.5 billion will go to the payment of pension arrears for the widows of war veterans while P1.2 billion would go to military retirees aged 80-years-old and above.
“For those who are not paid by the previous administrations, actually all of them, for release is P4.7 billion for the payment for the total administrative disability arrears of widows of deceased World War II veterans and AFP retirees who are 80-years-old and above,” Duterte said in his remarks at the memorial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. “It will be released as soon as possible,” the President assured.
The President said the budget for the military benefits has been appropriated in the 2016 national budget but has not been released by his predecessor. He said the joint implementing rules and regulation for the release has been signed by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Duterte also said he would also offer R250,000 from the President’s Social Fund for the families of government troops killed in the line of duty. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)