Senate approves Legarda’s Veterans’ Month Act, institutionalizes national remembrance

The Senate has passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1719, principally authored and principally sponsored by Senator Loren Legarda, declaring April of every year as Philippine Veterans Month. The measure establishes a permanent national framework to honor Filipino veterans, preserve their legacy, and strengthen access to welfare and education programs for them and their families.

Legarda said the bill’s approval during the March 16 plenary session affirms the nation’s solemn duty to honor those who fought for freedom.

“Our veterans carried the burden of war so that future generations could live in peace. This Act ensures that their courage is remembered in the way we care for them and in the lessons we pass on to our youth,” Legarda said.

Official records show 464 living veterans of World War II, 41 surviving members of the Philippine Civic Action Group who served in Vietnam, and 29 veterans of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea. The measure responds to the urgency of honoring them while they are still alive.

“Ang kagitingan ng ating mga beterano ay patuloy na nagbibigay lakas sa bayan. Sa bawat araw ng Abril, ipinapakita natin na ang pagkilala sa kanila ay may kasamang serbisyo at malasakit,” Legarda added.

The proposed legislation mandates coordinated nationwide activities to honor the veterans and promote public awareness of their contributions. It also directs the Department of Education (DepEd) to integrate veterans’ stories in basic education curriculum, encourages youth volunteer programs, and ensures improved access to benefits and health services.

The implementation will be led by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and Department of National Defense (DND), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), and DepEd.

Legarda emphasized that remembrance should inspire present-day vigilance and service, reminding Filipinos that the sacrifices of war veterans must guide civic action today.

By declaring April as Philippine Veterans Month, the law turns commemorations into concrete programs, channeling gratitude through education, healthcare, and public service. (30)