Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Veterans praise passage of equity bill By Jason Paolo Telles
FILIPINO veterans are united in their reaction on the recently passed Filipino Veterans Equity Bill by the Senate of the United States of America (USA) to the US House of Congress.
The veterans expressed their gratitude to the US senators who favored the bill. "I'm happy because we have been waiting for this for so many years," said Pacio Langawan, one of the Filipino veterans who attended the 63rd Anniversary of the Liberation of Baguio celebration and the launching of the Launching of the World Veterans "Walk For Peace."
Another Filipino war veteran, Descong Esyo, said: "Agyaman kami pay a no adda ited da (We'll thank them if they have something to give.)"
"We are happy," said Phoebe Wacat. She also said that she cannot remember how long they have been waiting for such benefits, but it is just right for the US government to give them the benefits because they helped them during the war.
Martha Ambe, another veteran, wished that when the bill passes the scrutiny of the US House of Representatives, the US government would really be serious and diligent in giving the benefits.
Colonel Francisco Paraan, former Baguio mayor and commander of the 66th Infantry division during the war, expressed approval in behalf of the other veterans. "The veterans welcome the passage of the US Senate bill and hopefully the US House of Representatives will also approve the passage of the bill so the approval will come at the end of the year so it would give veterans the benefits that they've been waiting for 60 years," he said.
Paraan said a lot of the veterans have died so it is important for the US Congress to approve the bill within the year.
The Filipino Veteran Equity Bill aims to restore full veteran status to Filipino veterans of World War II who lost their status under the Rescission Acts of 1946.
It also gives thanks to Filipino veterans of World War II who suffered from disabilities which they got through military service with service-connected compensation at the full rate, wherever they are living now. It also permits veterans and survivors residing in the US to receive pensions and death benefits equal to those received by US veterans. It also aims to provide veterans residing outside of the US a special pension and death benefits paid at a lower rate which does not require documentation of income, assets, and medical expenses.
"It would be enough to support the veteran and his spouse," said Paraan.
