QuestionsQuestions (PVAO DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. A-049)
It declares the policy of the State to foster socio-economic security and well-being of veterans in recognition of patriotic services in war and peace, for national unity, independence, socio-economic advancement, and maintenance of peace and order. It serves as a guiding principle favoring effective implementation and humane administration of benefits.
Any person who rendered honorable military service in specified wars/campaigns or in the AFP with honorable discharge/separation after at least six (6) years total cumulative active service, or sooner if separated due to death or disability arising from a wound/injury or sickness/disease incurred in line of duty.
No. Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, applications for benefits and compensation under R.A. 6948 and these Rules shall not prescribe.
Most applications must be filed with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). For disability pensions of military personnel, filing is with the General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for docketing and processing prior to transmittal to the PVAO; payments are made by PVAO after final adjudication.
Legal officers, investigators, regional veterans assistance representatives, and organic contact officers of the PVAO may administer necessary oaths. Other officials may administer oaths only when properly authorized by the Administrator and only for documents supporting the claim.
Unless expressly authorized by the Administrator, no fee/compensation may be charged to veterans/beneficiaries for official services, and no retention or deduction of any amount from pension is allowed.
It is determined based on specified documents. For Revolution Against Spain/Philippine-American War veterans, original appointment/induction papers or sworn statements of immediate officers/comrades are used. For World War II and later campaigns, original AFP/unit papers (assignment/discharge/demobilization, orders, memoranda, etc.) and/or pay/allowance vouchers, rosters, clinical records, casualty reports, and verification slips are used.
Records/documents used for other veterans in similar categories, if the guerillas’ services were not recognized by the U.S. or recognition was revoked; rosters of recognized units submitted to the U.S. Army by 30 June 1948 as certified by a government depository custodian; and affidavits (chronological) by the veteran and comrades/officers showing bona fide membership, plus sworn statements of reputable citizens with personal knowledge.
Marriage: original certificate or certified true copy from Local Civil Registrar. Identity/filiation: certified true copy of birth certificate. Death: certified true copy of death certificate; if unavailable, certification and affidavits of persons with personal knowledge.
No. Criminal conviction after discharge/separation, if not repudiating the service or the disability for which benefits were awarded, is not a ground to deny or cancel the benefit.
When there is conviction by final judgment of a gross violation of human rights while in active service (certified by the Commission on Human Rights). It bars the veteran from receiving benefits, but does not prejudice entitlement of the veteran’s next of kin to the same benefits.
Eligible are specified veterans (with qualifying war/service participation periods) and certain lawful beneficiaries (e.g., child/waive, surviving spouse, chosen child, etc.). A key requirement is that the person seeking educational benefit must have never heretofore enjoyed educational benefit under Philippine law nor under U.S. law.
It is computed as twelve (12) months plus length of war-time service (subject to specific sub-categories). In no case shall it be less than 24 months.
For college/tertiary/higher: at the beginning of the semester/trimester/quarter/summer during which approved. For elementary/high school: at the beginning of the school year during which approved.
Course change may be granted if there is remaining balance of entitlement or due to plausible reasons after counseling. It shall not be authorized during enjoyment of extension except where at least 75% of units earned in the prior course are credited to the new course, and the new course is neither longer nor more expensive.
The grantee must have no failure/deficiency in required subjects during the basic period (e.g., passing grades for all subjects covered), cannot fail during extension; incomplete/conditioned grades may allow extension upon removal at the grantee’s expense; refund is required if the failed/dropped subject is no longer required for the certified course; further extension requires notification within 30 days for causes beyond control like illness, transfer due to military station, or calamity.
For Philippine Army/guerrilla of World War II: on day application is received but not earlier than 9 April 1990. For all other veterans: (1) day immediately following separation if filed within one year after separation; or (2) day application received if filed beyond one year.
Periodic re-evaluation/redetermination is the responsibility of the Disability Rating Board (DRB) of PVAO. Upon request, AFP Medical Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center provide records and conduct examinations/tests; other government hospitals may also conduct tests upon request.
When the disability is static; when permanent with no likelihood of improvement; or when the veteran is already 57 years old or over.
No pension is transferable nor paid to any person other than the pensioner. Authorities/power of attorney/documents executed by the pensioner are generally not recognized, except for minors’ pensions payable to natural parents/guardians, or when the pensioner is legally/physically unable—then payable to a court-appointed legal guardian or a person designated by the Administrator or JAGO AFP.