World War ll veterans including retirees from the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday trooped to the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando and underwent medical and dental checkup by health experts from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
A total of 896 persons including WW ll veterans and retired soldiers of the armed forces, constabulary and PNP, and their surviving spouses benefited from the project initiated by the provincial government led by Gov. Lilia Pineda and former President now second district Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The event is part of the provincial government’s activities for the Senior Citizens Month, said Beth Baybayan, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
Baybayan said 26 senior citizens whose ages range from 95 above have been awarded P100,000 each by the Capitol, bringing to 266 the number of elders who have received special incentives from the government.
“Senior citizens especially the elders have a special spot in the heart of Gov. Pineda,” said Baybayan, adding the distribution of cash gifts is just one among the Pineda administration’s legacies in the province.
The Capitol is planning to sign a memorandum of agreement between VMMC and 11 district hospitals in the province.
During the symposium, some of the war veteran pensioners have aired their complaints on delayed pensions while others said their names have been struck out from the roster of WW ll legitimate veterans master list.
Roselyn de Jesus, Veterans Assistance Officer ll stationed at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, vowed to extend assistance to Pampanga veterans while explaining the process in filing old age pension claims.
De Jesus also explained some of the benefits that can be availed by dependents of WW ll veterans.
“For as long as the applicants of benefits are legitimate dependents of veterans,” she said.
The Pampanga leg of War Veterans and AFP Retirees Symposium and Medical Mission was the first in Luzon. Similar activities will be held in Visayas and Mindanao.