Pvao Administrator Ernesto Carolina added that the agency has suspended payment of pension to 558 veterans and 408 others who have not complied with the Pensioners’ Revalidation Program (PRP). Carolina stressed that the PRP “is a proactive measure to cleanse the Pvao Pensioners’ List by removing those who have died and, in some cases, those who fraudulently assumed pensioner’s identity.”
“[Pvao] has also subjected 2,036 cases for further verification and on-site investigation by its field officers. Current year budget allocations for suspended and terminated pensions are utilized by Pvao to fund newly approved claims or settle obligations to pensioners with due and demandable benefits,” added Carolina in a statement.
Carolina wrote to the BusinessMirror in response to the news story titled “Dead War Veterans Turns Out Alive” which appeared on August 16.
Bartolome Suba Pasion of Mabalacat, Pampanga, earlier complained that the Pvao stopped his pension and even asked him to prove that he is alive despite presenting himself at the agency’s office in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga. He is a recognized member of the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap).
Pvao said Bartolome’s Petitioners Update Form (PUF) was sent in January 2011 to his registered address at Apartment 4, Macapagal Street, Belen Homesite, Santo Cristo, Angeles City.
The same form was returned-to-sender (RTS) by the letter carrier with handwritten notation, “RTS: DECEASED” on February 28, 2011, said Carolina.
“Thus, Pvao suspended remittance of his [pension] to his account effective April 2011,” Carolina added.
Pasion said he had transferred residence to nearby Mabalacat “six years ago” that’s why he did not receive the Pvao’s letter sent to his previous address here.
“Considering the circumstances, Pvao sent one of its field officers to investigate the veteran’s complaint. In the process, the veteran’s identity and legitimacy were confirmed and thus, the resumption of Pasion’s [pension] has been approved and will commence in October 2011,” said Carolina. He added that Pasion’s pension arrearages will also be fully paid.
