Marcos wants review of disabled soldiers' separation benefits

PILAR, Bataan - President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday ordered a review of the present separation benefits of government troops who incurred permanent disability while they were on duty. 

''I am directing the defense, budget, and finance departments to study the existing separation benefits of soldiers who incurred total permanent disability in the line of duty to see if these are commensurate to the sacrifices that they have made and submit the recommendations while taking stock of the national government's position,'' Marcos said in his speech during the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan. 

In August of last year, Marcos signed into law the measure that increased military veterans' disability pension.

Republic Act No. 11958 or An Act Rationalizing The Disability Pension Of Veterans, Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 6948, Entitled, An Act Standardizing and Upgrading The Benefits For Military Veterans And Their Dependents, As Amended. 

Under the said law, a veteran who is disabled owing to sickness, disease, wounds, or injuries sustained in the line of duty shall be given a monthly disability pension according to the prescribed rates.

Meanwhile, Marcos also said his administration has been doubling efforts to enhance the operational capability of the Philippine military. 

He further tasked the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assess the supply of the country's military equipment. 

''We must therefore also ensure their safety by procuring the right equipment. I therefore task the DND and AFP to assess and submit a report on the responsiveness of the current inventory of military supplies and equipment,'' Marcos said. 

''These measures aim to show our unwavering support to our soldiers as they face new and growing challenges,'' he added. ''Ours is a complicated world today, but we must not yield. We must not back down from any and all challenges that seek to threaten our peace, our honor, and our very existence.''—AOL, GMA Integrated News