Leyte Guv Lauds Search for the Oldest Living WWII Veteran
TACLOBAN CITY – Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla said the province and the region is blessed and honored to have war veterans who have shown their courage and bravery against attempts of aggression and oppression in our country and in the pursuit of peace and prosperity for the Philippines.
This the governor emphasized amid the ongoing Search for the Oldest Living World War II Veteran which has been launched and opened to all living World War II veterans residing in any of the six provinces of the Eastern Visayas region.
Gov. Petilla said that it is but just fitting to give recognition to the world’s greatest generation – the World War II veterans – for the freedom people are enjoying today.
He added that with the veterans fading fast over the years due to old age and sickness, with some only survived by their spouses or children, now is the best time to honor and remember the sacrifices they have made.
The chosen old living veteran in Region 8 will be given recognition during the Commemorative Program of the 65th Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary this October 20 at the Mac Arthur Park Landing Memorial.
This recognition comes in the wake of the implementation of the US Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in the country which includes a provision recognizing the military service of Filipino World War II veterans and the granting of a lump sum package of US $9,000 for Filipino citizens.
Some WWII veterans in Leyte have already received their lump sum packages since the implementation was started this year, it was learned. The US government reportedly is committed to complete the disbursement of checks to all qualified veterans not later than February 2010.
Meanwhile, the search is now on the process of evaluating the ultimate ten Oldest Living Veteran finalists. Those who have qualified to become finalists have been asked to submit valid documents such as certificate of live birth, membership document from the Philippine Veterans Federation of the Philippines, endorsement of his Post Commander; and a brief description of his war exploits in narrative form.
The chosen Oldest Veteran will receive gift certificates, plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P50,000.00 while the nine other finalists will receive gift certificates, plaques of recognition and cash prize of P10,000.00 each.
PMRC
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