JFAV Update

January 13 2009

JFAV Scores the DVA Data on Veterans Claims

Los Angeles—As the deadline for application for one-time claims payment, the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) expressed doubts the DVA report that “ 11,300 Filipino veterans have received their claims”.

The US Embassy in Manila reported this data. As of September 22,2009, the DVA has reported 22,800 claims pending an entitlement decision out of the 32,000 applications. Since then 34,000 applications have been applied.

JFAV, a national alliance of veterans, youth and community advocates in the United States said the report of the DVA that half of the claims received are Filipino veterans are in the United States are greatly exaggerated.

Different Data Base, Manila and Washington

JFAV assailed the DVA for the slow process and have repeated asked and demanded that the DVA to hasten the claims. According to JFAV data ,less than 3,000 out of the 11 000 US based Filipino veterans have received their claims.

UFAV leader commander Franco Arcebal had complained that of the slow process of the DVA. “I was the earliest to apply but look, up to now my claims has not been processed.”

Another disabled veteran, Romualdo Bernardino of LA likewise reiterated that he has not received his claims. He is with the SilverLake Adult Day Care Center in LA.

Mr. Greg Villanueva, AWARE-LA Board member and VFP secretary-general assailed the DVA for the slow process. “ Many veterans have died while waiting for their claims. It’s another process for their loved ones to follow-up on the claims. I hope I will not be one of them.”

JFAV reiterated and call on all Filipino veterans who have not applied to beat the deadline on February 16, 2010. More than 2,000 veterans were denied their claims.

More than 34,000 veterans have applied for the claims. A far cry from the DVA figure of 18,000 veterans in 2008. Philippine authorities and US DVA have different data on the veterans. While the PVAO says there are around 54,000 veterans, the DVA sticks to it low figure of 18,000 both veterans in the US and in the Philippines.

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