The US government’s move to give the long overdue benefits for Filipino veterans are among the top foreign policy initiatives of the Arroyo administration. With the passage of the bill containing provisions on Filipino veterans, the United States honors its promise to the Philippines, to grant the long-sought benefits due the Filipino WWII veterans.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was passed by the US Congress on Feb. 14 and signed into law by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17 as part of the US government stimulus package, grants a one-time lump-sum payment of $15,000 for each US-based Filipino WWII veteran and $9,000 for those living in the Philippines. (PIA)
