LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan provincial government led by Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III distributed medical and educational assistance amounting to P105,000 to some living World War II veterans through their beneficiaries on May 15 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Urduja House.
Screened by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), 12 medical assistance of P5,000 each were given to eligible WW-II veterans through their children while nine educational assistance which also amounted to P5,000 each were awarded to the veterans grandchildren.
It can be recalled that the project is a realization of Gov. Pogi’s pledge to extend support to the veterans and their families in terms of medical and educational assistance during the Lingayen Gulf Landings and Pangasinan Veterans’ Day last January.
Recipients of the medical assistance are as follows: Benigno S. Baldoz, 93 yrs. old (Rosales); Sergio R. Casamiro, 94 (Umingan); Paulino M. Antolin, 94 (Umingan); Floro D. Pollante, 98 (Balungao); Pedro F. Ramos, 94 (Laoac); Lorenzo M. Mortera, 96 (Villasis); Reynaldo V. Siador, 90 (San Fabian); Celestino T. Balagot, 99 (Urdaneta City); Miguel T. Monegas, 95 (Alcala); Eulogio Caguin, 92 (Manaoag); Alfredo P. Laroco, 95 (San Fabian); Hilario P. Meriales, 95 (Sta. Maria).
The following veterans’ grandchildren, on the other hand, passed the assessment conducted by the PSWDO for educational assistance: Lester DC. Cayabyab (Sta. Barbara); Angelyka V. Escano (Aguilar); Camille N. Navelgas (Agno); Jumel I. Dorado (Bautista); Freda F. Sibayan (Urbiztondo); Eurika S. Nadado (Bugallon); Mary Ann V. Torrecampo (Aguilar); Klent Euhan T. Nepa and Franklin Nepa (San Quintin); Loridel Veniegas (San Quintin).
Beneficiaries of the educational assistance are currently in college levels, undergraduate or out of school youth.
Meanwhile, the Pangasinan provincial government under the Espino administration has institutionalized the conduct of medical check-ups for all war veterans during the yearly celebration of the Lingayen Gulf Landings and Veterans’ Day.
As financial assistance, the provincial government also awarded during the Veterans Day P10,000 for 10 centenarians or those WW-II veterans who reached their 100th year of existence while an amount of P5,000 were given to 292 living veterans whose aged are below 100 years. Those who were not able to attend the event received the cash assistance in their respective homes as distributed by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
By Dexter A. See