ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr 26 (PIA) – The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) assures delivery of service and programs to all veterans in the Philippines as part of paying tribute to their heroism.

PVAO-9 records more than 11,000 veteran pensioners including the veteran dependents who also receive the monthly benefits from the government. Pension benefits include Old Age Pension, which is P20,000 monthly for senior veterans and P5,000 for post-war veterans and may be availed on the 65th birthday or death of the veteran.

Disability Pension for disabled veterans who have been discharged from duty due to disease, wounds, or injuries sustained in the line of duty, the rate of which depends on the extent of disability. Further, 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.

Moreover, 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.