Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

LOS ANGELES—A large number of Filipino World War II veterans in Los Angeles are still awaiting their claims checks from the US government, according to the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) organization.

JFAV officials said they have received numerous complaints from Filipino WWII veterans on the slow process of their claims.

"More than five months after the stimulus bill was passed, only 773 Filipino veterans in the United States have received their checks. We want to know what’s keeping the claims [from coming]," said Nick Gadia, Commander Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGS).

Last month, Philippine Ambassador to the United States William Gaa assured that they are working closely with the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs. According to Gaa, more than 31,000 claims have already been received and 1,600 checks have been sent to veterans both in the US and in the Philippines.

Gaa also mentioned that about 2,800 claims are still pending and at least 1,000 have been denied.

However, many veterans and JFAV Director Arturo Garcia wonder why it’s taking the US government so long to distribute the claims checks since the money has already been allocated.

San Francisco veteran Reggie Nacua also complained about the slow processing of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"They should consider the fact that the Filipino veterans are advancing in age," he said. "Our average age [range is] around 80 to 90. They should hurry with the processing."

Phone calls and messages to Gaa at the Embassy of the Philippines Washington DC were not returned as of press time.

Garcia said that he’s telling Filipino WWII veterans to be patient.

"I tell them to just wait," he said. "They have waited 63 years to get this benefit and they are still waiting."

"They just have to be the patient," added Garcia. "They will receive it, just be patient." (Joseph Pimentel)

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on July 23, 2009 in Asian Journal Las Vegas p. A1 )