By Jong D.
Cadion
ZAMBOANGA
CITY (March 3, 2018) - Around 500 veterans and retirees gathered for a
consultation and dialogue with retired generals from both the Armed Forces of
the Philippines and the Philippine National Police at the Western Mindanao
Command Gymnasium, Saturday morning (March 3).
Western
Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the activity was spearheaded by the
Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Welfare Committee, retired General and now
Congressman Leopoldo Bataoiul. The dialogue that formally opened at 9 in the
morning was a venue for the veterans and retirees to ask inquiries directed to
the resource speakers that include Congressman Bataoiul; Retired General and
former Chief of Staff Alexander B Yano; Retired PNP Director Generals Jimmy
Caringal and Sularno Ikbala; and Veteran Raul Roldan, the Veterans Foundation
of the Philippines Region IX President.
Cpt
Petinglay said issues that include the possible establishment of more Veteran
hospitals and ‘Libingan ng mga Bayani’ (cemetery for heroes) in other regions
of the country were among the recommendations of the attendees. The retirees
also recommended that the old age and administrative disability pension be
increased; the carry-over of pension to the Veteran’s survivor in the event
that the veteran dies; and many other issues.
Congressman
Bataoiul responded positively to the inquiries and promised to consider and
study all recommendations.
“We will
take in all your recommendations and think about how to give solutions to all
issues raised,” said Cong Bataoiul.
“We are here
because we wanted to hear you out and we want to get an idea what priority
issues and concerns needed immediately action.”
The two
hour forum ended at 11:30 in the morning after the committee turned-over
wheelchairs and canes to recipient veterans and retirees from Zamboanga City.
“It is an
honor for the command to host the venue for the activity, especially that we
also have quite a number of veterans and retirees within Western Mindanao,”
said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao
Command.
“Knowing
that you will be properly taken cared-off when you retire, will
somehow
boost the soldier’s motivation to serve.”
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