CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor Romeo Calizo on Wednesday sought explanation why war veterans in the city aren't receiving their benefits under Republic Act 7696 otherwise known as the act standardizing and upgrading benefits for veterans and their dependents.
Calizo, who is also a military veteran himself, said a group of veterans came to him to complain about not receiving their benefits.
Under the law, veterans are defined as any person who rendered military service in the land, sea or air forces of the Philippines during the revolution against Spain, the Philippine-American War, World War II, including Filipino citizens who served in allied forces in the Philippine territory and foreign nationals who served in Philippine forces.
"We know that a part of the budget of the local government goes to the veterans so who manages this fund? What's wrong? Why is this fund not reaching our veterans?" Calizo said.
The councilor said he learned that the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) oversees the fund.
Upon inquiry, he also learned that the funds go to the senior citizens budget allocation instead.
"Unfair sa mga veterans nga dili senior citizens. I found out nga ingani ang nahitabo kay there is no system in place, no protocol and also nobody knows the veterans," he said.
Initially, Calizo said he has created a system so funds will be used for its purpose.
This year, Calizo said about P500,000 are allocated as aid to war veterans.