4 December 2003 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople warmly welcomed the adoption by the US Congress of two bills that radically improves the benefits for Filipino World War II veterans but said that until there is full recognition and equity for these veterans, the fight is far from over.  Two bills recently passed by Congress provides over $19 million a year for the health care for 8,000 Filipino veterans, and equitable benefits and burial rights to a hundred New Philippine Scouts, and their surviving widows living in the United States.

Passed by the Senate on 19 November and by the House on 20 November, the “Veterans Benefits Act of 2003” increases compensation for New Philippine Scouts living in the US to the full rate as other veterans, from 50 cents to a full dollar. This bill also allows the U.S. Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Manila to remain open until 2009.

Passed by the Senate on 19 November and by the House on 21 November the “Long-Term Care and Personnel Authorities Enhancement Act of 2003” gives U.S.-based Filipino veterans full access to VA facilities, hospital and nursing care, and medical services, including those without a service-connected disability.  The Secretary said that he hopes that the two bills will be signed into law shortly.

“Spurred on by the excellent relations between the Philippines and the United States, the current US administration pushed for the passage of these bills in Congress, and with the help of the friends and supporters of the Philippines in the US Congress, succeeded in fulfilling the dream of many veterans.  We are thankful for their efforts and express the hope that these are initial steps towards the passage soon of bills that restore full equity, whether our veterans reside in the US or otherwise,” Secretary Ople said.

“I fought side-by-side with our veterans in World War II.  They showed no less courage, bravery or sacrifice in the fight for freedom.  A grave injustice was done to them when the US broke its promise for full equity.  This has been a tragedy that has spanned half a century and it is an injustice that must be corrected,” the Secretary said.  The Secretary added that efforts will continue on the part of the Philippines to push for US legislation that “will finally put an end to the profound inequality that continues to blemish the proud history of our common fight and our common victory on World War II.” END.