US bill for veterans to be signed
Its better late than never for the Filipino soldiers who fought side-by-side with the Americans during World War II as the US Congress is expected to pass the Filipino Veterans Bill into a law by Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) after 62 long years of waiting, Rep. Antonio Diaz of Zambales said Tuesday.
Diaz, the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare, said they organized and headed a lobby group in the US Congress to push for the passage of the highly anticipated measure.
Our Filipino veterans of World War II have struggled to seek recognition and to fight for the full restoration of their benefits from the United States government, the lawmaker said. The bill will give what is due to them.
The Filipino Veterans bill will entitle the married veterans $375 worth of monthly pension. On the other hand, single and widowed veterans will receive $300 and $200, respectively. Those residing in the US shall receive benefits equivalent to that of the American veterans.
The passage of the bill is a historical moment for it signifies the admission of the US government that it owes a moral obligation to the Filipino veterans, Diaz said.
Deliberations in the US Senate began April 22 on Senate Bill 1315, or the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill. By the 24th, the bill passed with a vote of 96-1. It was generally an omnibus bill enhancing benefits to most US veterans.
Later, provisions of Senate Bill 57 were partly incorporated in Senate Bill 1315 which included affording Filipino veterans in the US the same benefits as their US veteran counterpart.
Diaz also noted that Filipino soldiers were stripped of their benefits under the GI Bill of Rights with the passage of the Rescission Act in the US in 1946. -- Manila Times
Diaz, the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare, said they organized and headed a lobby group in the US Congress to push for the passage of the highly anticipated measure.
Our Filipino veterans of World War II have struggled to seek recognition and to fight for the full restoration of their benefits from the United States government, the lawmaker said. The bill will give what is due to them.
The Filipino Veterans bill will entitle the married veterans $375 worth of monthly pension. On the other hand, single and widowed veterans will receive $300 and $200, respectively. Those residing in the US shall receive benefits equivalent to that of the American veterans.
The passage of the bill is a historical moment for it signifies the admission of the US government that it owes a moral obligation to the Filipino veterans, Diaz said.
Deliberations in the US Senate began April 22 on Senate Bill 1315, or the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill. By the 24th, the bill passed with a vote of 96-1. It was generally an omnibus bill enhancing benefits to most US veterans.
Later, provisions of Senate Bill 57 were partly incorporated in Senate Bill 1315 which included affording Filipino veterans in the US the same benefits as their US veteran counterpart.
Diaz also noted that Filipino soldiers were stripped of their benefits under the GI Bill of Rights with the passage of the Rescission Act in the US in 1946. -- Manila Times
Labels: diaz, US VETERANS BILL, zambales
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
2:45 AM
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