SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) = Ehonats
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) (Senet _
Third Regular Session ) jot Secetary
SENATE "8 NG 1 AN 31
s.B.No._1903

a a

INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO,

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY OLD-AGE PENSION OF SENIOR VETERANS, AMENDING
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6948, AS AMENDED

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the policy of the State, as declared in the 1987 Constitution, that the country’s
veterans be fostered with socio-economic security and general well-being in recognition of
their patriotic services in times of war and peace for the cause of freedom and democracy; for
the attainment of national unity, independence, and socioeconomic advancement; and for the
maintenance of peace and order, in keeping with the goals of the Government and the
aspirations of the people.

Presently, our veterans are receiving a monthly pension of Five Thousand Pesos
(P5,000) granted under the Republic Act No. 7696, amending Republic Act No. 6948 or the
“Act Standardizing and Upgrading the Benefits for Military Veterans and their Dependents.”

With the increase of the basic commodities and the cost of living in our country, the
said amount of old-age pension which was granted in 1994 or three (3) decades ago, is not
enough to sustain our heroes’ monthly basic needs.

In this regard, this bill seeks to increase our veterans’ old-age monthly pension from
Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000) to Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000) to adapt with the
current monthly basic expenditure and to enable them to live a decent life in the country. This
is also to show our timeless gratitude for their bravery, sacrifices, and the hardships they have
endured to fight for the country’s freedom.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ee.



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

Third Regular Session ) ©.
‘Oblrve of tye Secretary
SENATE
s.B.No._ 1903 "8 AUG -1 AN 31

INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACOGAG* a

AN ACT
INCREASING THE MONTHLY OLD-AGE PENSION OF SENIOR VETERANS, AMENDING
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6948, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. For purpose of this Act, Senior Veterans refer to any person who rendered
military service in the land, sea or air forces of the Philippines during the revolution against
World War II, Korean Campaign, Vietnam War, or other wars and military campaigns.

Section. 2. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 6948 as amended by Republic Act No. 7696
is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 10, Eligibility. — A veteran as defined in Section 2(a) of this Act who is at least
sixty-five (65) years old shall be paid an old-age pension of TWENTY [One] thousand pesos
(P20[1},000) monthly for life, unless he is actually receiving a similar pension for the same
consideration from other-government funds or from the United States Government. [Provided,
That in the succeeding years starting January, 1995, said One thousand pesos (P1,000) monthly
old-age pension shall be increased annually by not less than Five Hundred Pesos (500) per month
until total old-age pension shall be at least Five thousand pesos (P5,000) per month.”

Section. 3. Increase in Old-Age Pension of Senior Veterans. ~ The old-age pension of
veterans of World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars shall be increased to Twenty Thousand
Pesos (P20,000.00) per month; Provided, that the veterans of Korean and Vietnam wars are not
receiving pension from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Provided further, that the
grant shall not be assigned or transferred to any heirs of the senior veterans.

Section. 4. Funding. — In order to augment the amount needed to fund the increase in
the old-age pension as provided in this Act, the amount necessary for the initial implementation
shall be charged against the current year’s available appropriation of the Philippine Veterans
Affairs Office (PVAO). Thereafter, such sums necessary for the purpose shall be taken from the
savings in the budget of the Department of National Defense, in addition to the annual funding
allotted for this purpose. Such amount as may be needed for the continued implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

1



1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Section. 5. Repealing Clause. — All existing laws or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazcttc or in at least two (2) national newspapers of gencral
circulation.

Approved,