LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - Tuba World War II veterans may rest now knowing additional support has been granted for their heirs in the time of their passing.

A hero deserves a decent burial.

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In a unanimous decision an ordinance was passed grating an additional P5,000 as burial assistance to the legal spouses of the war veterans.

The local council here followed provisions of Republic Act 7696 allowing additional funding from local government units (LGUs).

"The LGU concerned exercised sound discretion granting the request of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines Tuba Post," the ordinance said in part.

Legitimate beneficiaries include children, including those legally adopted by the deceased veteran.

The benefits granted are aimed to give additional support for those left behind by the veterans aside from existing compensations.

The municipality also allotted P100,000 to fund the ordinance, assuring heirs will get the compensation due them.

Mayor Florencio Bentrez approved the ordinance backed by the local council.

History will reveal many infantry brigades were formed in the Cordillera to fight the Japanese after General Douglas MacArthur left the Philippines.

Among these are the 11th Infantry, which covers Cagayan, Ifugao and Kalinga headed by Lt. Col. Donald Blackburn and the 66th Infantry in the Benguet and Mt. Province areas headed by Major Dennis Molintas.

Recently, the United States Embassy in Manila reminded Filipino World War II veterans that they have only until Feb. 16, 2010, to file for the benefits granted to them by a US law.

There are at least 11,000 Filipino World War II Veterans Equity Compensation, or FVEC, claims have been processed already, the embassy reported in a statement.

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office is located in Baguio at the USAFIPNL Camp Henry T. Allen. (Maria Elena Catajan)