Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7696)
Republic Act No. 7696 amends certain sections of Republic Act No. 6948 to standardize and upgrade the benefits for military veterans and their dependents in the Philippines.
Eligible individuals include those who rendered military service during the revolution against Spain, the Philippine-American War, World War II (including Filipino citizens who served in allied forces and foreign nationals in Philippine forces or recognized guerrilla organizations), Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea, Philippine Civic Action Group, or Philippine Contingent in Vietnam who have not previously enjoyed educational benefits under Philippine or U.S. law. One direct descendant of a veteran may also be eligible if the veteran renounces the right, as well as the surviving spouse or a direct descendant of a deceased veteran.
Eligible beneficiaries are admitted to government-authorized schools or institutions with all school fees covered by the government, including tuition, matriculation, athletic, library, laboratory, medical, military training, diploma, and graduation fees.
Disability pensions are based on the degree of disability, ranging from P1,000 for 10%-30% disability to P1,700 for 91%-100% disability per month. An additional P500 is provided for the spouse and each unmarried minor child. Veterans aged 70 or older are deemed totally disabled with a 100% rating and receive the maximum pension plus P500 for dependents.
Veterans who are at least 65 years old receive a monthly old-age pension of P1,000 for life, unless they receive a similar pension from other sources. Starting January 1995, this amount increases annually by at least P500 until reaching at least P5,000 monthly.
Surviving spouses receive a monthly pension of P1,000 regardless of age until they remarry or die, unless receiving a similar pension from other funds or the U.S. government. This pension is separate from the death pension. Starting January 1995, the amount increases annually by at least P500 until reaching at least P5,000 monthly.
The surviving spouse and unmarried minor children, or in their absence, the parents of a veteran who died in line of duty or from service-related causes, or political prisoners who died or were killed during WWII, are entitled to a pension of P1,000 monthly each until specific conditions such as remarriage, death, or reaching 18 years old are met.
The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) must establish agreements with government hospitals to create veterans wards with at least 2,000 beds nationwide. The hospital must inform PVAO upon a veteran's confinement to remit funds for hospital expenses, with remitted funds retained for hospital use.
A burial assistance of P10,000 is given to the person who paid for the funeral expenses of a deceased veteran, provided they are not entitled to similar benefits from the U.S. government. Application must be filed within two years from the veteran's death.
No, pensions are exempt from income tax, attachment, execution, forfeiture, or other legal proceedings, except for membership dues to the Veterans Federation of the Philippines which may be deducted with the beneficiary's consent.