The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) reported that only 960 out of approximately half a million Filipino World War II veterans are still alive.
Joanna Mariz Manlapaz, VAO II of PVAO-Region 3, shared this during the PIA-Gitnang Luzon Kapihan Sa Bagong Pilipinas Episode 13 on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 hosted by PIA Regional Director William Beltran; supported by Deputy RD Carlo Lorenzo Juco Datu, Information Officer Jag Lyra and media productions officer Aldrin Joshua Mallari, featuring the Department of National Defense held at Pampanga PDRRMC Training Center, PEO Compound, Sindalan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Manlapaz highlighted that the remaining veterans continue to receive monetary, medical, and educational benefits for their grandchildren. She also mentioned that their monthly pension was increased from P5,000 to P20,000 by the previous administration.
While there were around 500,000 Filipino World War II veterans, only 260,000 were recognized by the US government, who collectively awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal for their service under the American flag from July 26, 1941, to December 31, 1946.
Manlapaz provided detailed instructions on how to request inclusions or corrections in the Integrated Veterans Database Management System (IVDMS), which requires a letter request, proof of discrepancy, and a certified true copy of the birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). She also explained the process for claiming back pay for PVAO pension under RA 304/897, which involves visiting the Veterans Record Management Division (VRMD) at Camp Aguinaldo or the Bureau of Treasury in Intramuros, Manila, with the necessary proof of application. For those seeking a military service record for benefits applications, Manlapaz advised visiting the VRMD or, for non-pensioners, the Non-Current Records Division at Camp Aguinaldo or the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
