Gordon seeks intensive info drive for Filipino WWII vets

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today urged the government to conduct a massive and intensive information campaign to protect Filipino veterans against unscrupulous individuals who may take advantage of them in availing benefits under the $787-billion economic stimulus bill of the United States (US).

Gordon said concerned government agencies, such as the Philippine Veterans' Affairs Office (PVAO), must take a proactive stance to ensure that Filipino veterans would avail of their long-overdue benefit the soonest possible time.

"The government must do everything in its power to prevent ruthless and unprincipled characters from taking away the long-awaited realization of the dreams of our veterans, to be recognized for their honorable and gallant role on World War II and to be restored in their dignity as heroic women and men of the country," he said.

Gordon has filed Senate Resolution (SR) 894 urging the government, particularly PVAO, to protect eligible Filipino veterans and their families from fixers who may take advantage of them in availing their benefits.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or the Economic Stimulus Bill signed into law by US President Barack Obama, eligible veterans who are Filipino citizens are each entitled to claim $9,000 from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

According to Gordon, some unscrupulous individuals might see this as an opportunity to earn by exploiting veterans eager to avail of the meager benefits which they have long been waiting for.

He explained that fixers, who employ extraordinary and illegal methods, might lure unwitting beneficiaries for the immediate processing and issuance of required documents and who make false assurances to these hapless individuals in exchange for money or other consideration.

"It is imperative that the relevant government agencies remain vigilant and steadfast in their commitment to public service, especially in the service of our veterans who have risked their lives so that we may now bask in the light of freedom and democracy," Gordon said.

Aside from setting up a help desk and a hotline to aid the beneficiaries, Gordon said a massive and intensive information campaign is an effective and efficient way to inform and educate the veterans of the procedure for obtaining the grant from the US.

Through this, he added, the veterans and their families may be forewarned of improper and illegal practices of fixers and they would know where to lodge their complaints should they fall unfortunate victims to such schemes.