IF A bill seeking to increase the pension of war veterans is signed into law in December, the adjustment may take effect by January 2019, an official of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) said.

"Hopefully kung ma sign-an siya December this year, ma-implement na siya January 2019," Remedios A. Josol, head of Field Service Extension Office of PVAO, said in a phone interview Tuesday, October 30.

House Bill No. 270, or "An Act Increasing the Monthly Pension of Senior Veterans", was introduced by Representative Geraldine B. Roman.

It seeks to increase the monthly pension given to World War II (WWII) veterans to P20,000 from the current P5,000, which was set nearly two decades ago.

The bill also seeks to provide an additional P1,700 to the pension of an Armed Forces of the Philippines veteran when the beneficiary reaches 70 years old.

The pension is applicable only to the living war veteran and is not transferrable to any family member.

Meanwhile, Josol said they are using biometrics to update their database on war veterans.

"Maong naa ang biometrics para di na hasol mag fill up, (There is biometrics so that there will be no hassle in filling up forms)," she said.

Veterans who are no longer capable of going to the PVAO may authorize any family member to do so on their behalf.