(PVAO-9 Field Service Office Head Louie Jay Losaria informs viewers and listeners of the Kapihan sa PIA and DXPR about PVAO’s services and reminds veterans to update their profiles in their database.)
PAGADIAN, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) —The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office assures Filipino veterans that their sacrifices are not forgotten and their privileges as protectors of the nation are honored.
PVAO offers essential benefits and services to veterans, including pensions, scholarships and medical assistance.
PVAO-9 Field Service Office head Louie Jay Losaria encourages Zamboanga del Sur residents and those in neighboring areas to access these services at the nearest field office.
He also urges veterans to directly access these services and avoid fixers. “PVAO FSO is now here [in Zamboanga del Sur]. Use our presence and services; make the most of the help we offer,” he said.
The PVAO team visits its office inside the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army, Kuta Major Cesar L. Sang-an, Upper Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, twice a month, on Mondays and Tuesdays of the first and third weeks.
Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines can receive pension and non-pension benefits. At age 65, they receive a monthly pension of 5,000 pesos, which increases by 1,700 pesos at age 70.
If a veteran dies, the pension automatically goes to the surviving spouse. If the veteran dies during service or with fewer than 20 years of service, the spouse immediately receives the pension.
Families of deceased veterans are also entitled to burial assistance worth 20,000 pesos as a one-time payment.
PVAO’s educational scholarship program, originally for World War II veterans, now extends to their grandchildren or great-grandchildren. However, only one grandchild or great-grandchild per veteran can avail of this scholarship. Those enrolled in college can receive up to 30,000 pesos per semester. This assistance can also be used for master’s, doctorate, juris doctor programs, medication or board exam reviews.
PVAO also provides free ambulatory devices, such as single canes, walkers and wheelchairs, to pensioners if available.
To continue receiving benefits, PVAO emphasizes the importance of annual profile updates. This process ensures uninterrupted pension release for the next year. Failing to update profiles may result in suspension or blockage of pensions.
Veterans can update their profiles through walk-in or contactless methods, ideally on their birthdays. Once documents are submitted, PVAO reviews and promptly forwards them to the central office. Despite misconceptions, transactions are not necessarily faster in Manila. Processing is efficient, even at the Pagadian office.
Information on services and processing steps is available on their official website, pvao.gov.ph, their Facebook page: PVAO FSO Zamboanga, or their Zamboanga hotline at 09538436386. (CCP/JCN/PIA- Zamboanga del Sur)
