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Comfort women's perk sought

'CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis
Ray Villafuerte on Sundav said thar if
he had his way, he would want the National Comm jssion on the Roie
ofFilipino Women to authenticat€ the identification and claims ofFili_
pino comfort women during the World War II.
Such a move would ensure that these comfort women would be able
tolenjoy their long-overdue pension, health insurance and other ben_
efirs proposed in several bills pending in the Coogress.
He also called on his fellow lawmakers to swiftly-approve the proposal
that is designed to grant them pensions and health insuiance coveraie.
"We hope that we can get rhis proposal passed in the Coneress it rhe
soonest possible time so that these victims of World. War ll ctiuld at least
live a little more comfortably in theirlemaihing years. This is not about
-Ib;
just giving them benefits. bui giving them the reiosnition
thev-
the sufferings they have undergone during the war,'. he said.
d;il;
Under House Bill No. 9046. Villafuerie sought rhe grant ofa month_
.
ly pension of P3,000 per month for each victi; to be;ourced lrom the
funds ofthe Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.
The measure would also provide free full philippine Health Insur-
ance Corp. coverage for Filipino comfort women.
An initial fund of PI0 miliion is allocated under bill for the process_
ing ofapplications and payments ofpensions and insurance
women identified by the NCRFW. Rio Araja "f;r;;.;;

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