Implementing rules on law raising gratuity to military’s valor medal awardees signed

August 2, 2019

The implementing rules and regulations of RA 9049, passed 18 years ago. which grants monthly gratuity and privileges to Medal of Valor awardee was signed in a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo last Wednesday.

Arsenio Andolong, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman, said the signing ceremony led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was also attended by the heads of various government agencies.

“Secretary Lorenzana was joined by Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones, Assistant Health Secretary Elmer Punzalan – who represented Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Transportation Secretary Arthur  Tugade, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson J Prospero E. De Vera III, Jr., Susana Nonato – who represented National Housing General Manager Marcelino P Escalada, Jr., AFP Chief of Staff Gen Benjamin R Madrigal Jr, and Civil Service Commission chairperson Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala,” he said.

Andolong said in his speech Lorenzana said the law upgrade the support of the government for Medal of Valor awardees and their families.

“I am very delighted that finally, we have signed today the IRR of Republic Act 9049, a law that intends to upgrade the support of the government to our Medal of Valor awardees and their families and to perpetuate their heroism,” Lorenzana said.

Andolong said “the law, which was passed in 2001, mandates the provision for adequate social services and financial reward or a lifetime monthly gratuity to Medal of Valor awardees and dependents of deceased MOV Awardees.”

On December 22, 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a memorandum increasing the monthly gratuity of MOV Awardees from P20,000 to P75,000, said Lorenzana.

“The IRR features benefits such as: lifetime monthly gratuity; precedence in employment in government agencies; priority in the approval of the awardee’s housing application under existing housing programs of the government; priority in the acquisition of public lands; privilege of obtaining loans in an aggregate amount not exceeding P500,000 from government-owned or controlled financial institutions without having to put up any collateral or constitute any pledge or mortgage to secure the payment of the loan; 20% discount from various establishments and services; free medical and dental services and consultation in hospital and clinics anywhere in the country; and exemption from the payment of tuition and matriculation fees,” he explained.

According to Andolong “the crafting of the IRR is a combined effort of 13 government agencies with the Department of National Defense taking the lead”.

Andolong said Tugade also made an announcement “that after meeting with Ninoy Aquino International Airport and airlines officials, terminal fees for both domestic and international flights will be waived for MOV awardees and their dependents.”

Andolong said there are 41 Medal of Valor awardees and their beneficiaries receiving the monthly gratuity benefits composed of four Medal of Valor awardees in the active service, 12 retired and 25 deceased.”

“The monthly gratuity benefit of the deceased Medal of Valor awardees are being released to their identified next of kin: 21 spouses, one sister, one daughter, one father, and one brother,” Andolong said. Robina Asido/DMS