Ewww itz JoJo

JFAV Update - August 16, 2010

SANFRANCISCO — On a bipartisan 34-0 vote, the California State Senate unanimously approved Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 25 authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) that calls on the President of the United States, Congress, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to expedite funding, and lessen the amount of required documentation necessary to allow eligible Filipino and Filipino American veterans to receive payments provided under the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.

 ”We were fortunate when the Filipino veterans came to our aid when we asked; the federal government should return that kindness and support,” said Yee.”Filipino veterans cannot and should not wait any longer.

 With the additional funds appropriated by President Obama, it is hoped that the process is expedited for these veterans, especially those whoseoriginal claims were denied. This money is essential for many of ourFilipino elders to live out the remainder of their life with dignity.”

 JFAV agrees with Yee’s call for the expeditious processing of the claims by the DVA. JFAV had documented that out of the 42,000 applied for claims or 42% of the applicants  or more than 17,000 claims were  denied.  Another 8,000 claims are still being processes by the DVA.

 The Rescission Act of 1946

 The JFAV also agree with Yee that “the Rescission Act of 1946 was a sad chapter in American history,” said Yee, whose district includes the largest Filipino community outside ofthe Philippines. “It is our responsibility to end this injustice ands tart caring for these soldiers who fought so hard for our country’sfreedom.

 It is heartbreaking that even the inadequate lump sum payment approved by Congress is not getting to those in need.These soldiers deserved full recognition; the least our federal government can do is expedite this small token of appreciation.”

 JFAV noted that many of the Filipino soldiers were not properly documented at the time of their service, and for many others who once had documentation, it has since been lost or destroyed. As a result, over42,000 claims for payments have been received, but only 11,000 applications for benefit payments have been granted.

 On July 29, President Obama signed into law the U.S. Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010, which called for, among others, the allocation of $67 million in supplemental funding for the FilipinoVeterans Equity Compensation Fund.

 According to DVA records, more than 16,000 claims have already been paid. The additional funding would be used to process the remaining claims, as well as claims that may still be approved after their initial denial. The JFAV contends that the additional funding of $ 67 million is not enough.

 ”Besides the lump sum is not recognition to Filipino war services but as payment for human sufferings. And there are no benefits for widows and rightful heirs of those veetrans who died prior to the FVCF in 2009.” the JFAV exclaimed.

 The average age of these veterans is 86 years old. According to thePhilippine Embassy in Washington, all of the Filipino veterans will likely pass away by 2015.

 In June 2007, the California State Legislature unanimously approved Yee’s Senate Joint Resolution 5 to officially urge Congress and the President to pass the FilipinoVeterans Equity Act.

 SJR 25 will be considered by the State Assembly next week.