Pvao bulletin anniversary issue

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 3

A News Magazine of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office

SND Keynotes PVAO’s 39th Anniversary, Highlights the Agency’s Reforms

DEFENSE SECRETARY VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN, the Guest of Honor & Keynote Speaker in the 39th Anniversary of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) last September 23, 2011 highlighted the numerous reforms being under-taken by the agency in his keynote speech. “Your creation and operation of PVAO’s Anti-Fraud and Anti-Fixers Task Force in coordination with intelligence and law enforcement agencies have resulted in the arrests of fixers and fraudulent claimants, and their subsequent prosecution in our courts of law. I am also aware of the legal assistance and services made available by PVAO’s Legal Affairs Division to our pensioners who were victimized by fixers. You have really done a great help to your veterans, from the documenta-tion of evidences, and building of strong cases against the perpetrators until the litigation of their cases in court,” the SND said.

Sec. Gazmin likewise commended PVAO for shifting its mode of pension delivery from mailing to the Direct Remittance Pension Servicing System that eliminated ghost pensioners from its Pension Masterlist in consonance with Pres. Benigno Simeon “Noy-Noy” Aquino III’s “Tuwid na Daan” platform of good governance. He also lauded the PVAO’s conduct of intensified pensioners’ Revalidation Program that has prevented the occurrence of false claims by fictitious veterans by way of closely monitoring the living status and validating the real identity of pensioners . The SND also affirmed the President’s commitment to pay the veterans’ pension increases in due time, noting the guarantee as provided in Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution. Expressing his full confidence in PVAO, Sec. Gazmin, moreover, added, “As a humble veteran, who bears the memory of having a father who was a veteran himself and who inhabited our native land for 102 years, I can only entrust myself, as all of must do, to the care of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, it being the manager of our veterans’ urgent concerns and aspirations.” This year’s program with the theme “PVAO: Patuloy sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago at Ibayong Serbisyo sa Beterano” also featured a reading of PVAO’s history from the perspective of Col. Cesar P. Pobre (Ret.), Ph.D., MNSA, a veteran & historian, and the solemn rendition of PVAO-VMMC Chorale’s winning arrangement of the song, “Para Sa ‘Yo” that aptly captures the agency’s message to its clientele. What elated PVAO officials and employees the most was the unprecedented presentation of a resolution from various veterans organizations expressing appreciation and gratitude to the agency for its many years of continued services to the Filipino veterans and their families. With the Administrator’s guidance to make the agency’s anniversary simple yet meaningful, the month-long celebration commenced with a theme-writing contest where central office and the field employees alike actively participated. It was followed by the launching of Milestones: A Photo Exhibit at the PVAO Covered Court which not only displayed the landmark accomplish-ments of the agency throughout the years but enjoined the employees to share a part of themselves by contributing pictures for the exhibit as well. It also included a day of gratitude and recognition to model employees of the agency and an outreach to 300 VMMC patients titled Ika-39 na Taong Anibersaryong Handog: Alay Pagkalinga at Paglilingkod.

“SERBISYO SA BETERANO, SERBISYO SA BAYAN.”

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Anniversary Issue * October 2011

Sec. Voltaire T. Gazmin: Huwarang Lingkod-Bayan

Mensahe at Pagpapakilala sa Panauhing Pandangal sa ika-39 na Taong Anibersaryo ng PVAO noong Setyember 23, 2011

Nais kong magpasalamat sa inyong lahat, sa ating mga panauhin,

lalo na sa ating panauhing pandangal, sa inyong pakikiisa sa amin ngayong

ika-39 na anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag ng Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

Sadyang ang PVAO ay laan para sa mga beterano – sila ang dahilan

kung bakit mayroong Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. At iyon ay

ipinaliwanag sa atin kanina sa pagbalangkas na ginawa ni Dr. Cesar Pobre sa

kanyang pagbalik- tanaw sa kasaysayan ng PVAO.

Tunay na nakakataba ng puso ang pagkilalang iginawad sa atin ng

ating mga Veterans Leaders – sa pamamagitan ng isang Resolusyon ng

Pagkilala sa serbisyong ibinigay ng PVAO sa loob ng 39 na taon ng kagana-

pan. Palagay ko, ang pinakatatanging papuri na maaaring tangapin ng isang

ahensya ay ang nanggaling sa mga taong kanyang pinaglilingkuran.

Kaya’t hayaan ninyong buong lugod naming ihayag, kasama ng

ating mga dating namuno sa PVAO, ang aming pagpapahalaga sa

Resolusyon na iginawad ng ating mga veterans leaders, at makakaasa po

kayo na lalo naming pag-iibayuhin ang aming paglilingkod sa ating mga

beterano at kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Sabi nga ng ating Pangulo – Kayo ang Boss namin.

Ang araw na ito ay para sa inyo. Kaya pati ang awit na inialay kanina ng PVAO Chorale ay pinamagatang ―Para Sa Iyo.‖ Ito

po ang buod ng aming ―Service Philosophy.‖ Ito po ang paninindigan ng bawat kawani at kasapi ng Pangkat PVAO: na ang Serbisyo sa

Beterano ay Serbisyo sa ating Bayan.

Kaya’t sa natatanging araw na ito, ay ating pinagkaisahang makapiling bilang ating Panauhing

Pandangal ang isang huwarang Lingkod-Bayan, na masasabi natin na inilaan ang kanyang sarili—para sa

bayan.

Siya po ay kilalang-kilala nating lahat, dahil bago pa siya nanungkulan sa Kagawaran ng Tanggulang

Pambansa, siya po ay nanilbihan na sa Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa loob ng 38 taon, at dalawang

taon na Ambassador sa Cambodia – for a total of 40 years—and still counting.

Marahil, ang dugong beterano na nananalaytay sa kanyang mga ugat at patnubay ng kaniyang

ama na isa ring beterano ang nagbigay-lakas at tibay ng loob kaya nalagpasan niya ang mga hamon at

pagsubok na kaniyang dinaanan.Ewan ko kung ilan sa atin ang nagkapalad na makapiling ang ating

butihing ama hanggang tayo’y senior citizen na. Bihira siguro yun. Ang ating Guest of Honor ay hindi

lamang senior citizen; Old Age pensioner na po siya ng pumanaw ang kanyang ama, si BGen.

Segundo Gazmin, isang WWII veteran, sa edad na 103. Wow.

Kaya naman nasundan niya ang maningning na career ng kanyang anak—sapul sa

pag-graduate sa PMA Batch of 1968, at sa maagang mga tagumpay at mga medalyang kanyang inani

bilang isang magaling na opisyal sa Philippine Army.

Ang isang record na kahanga-hanga at mahirap pantayan ay ang kanyang pagkakahirang na Battalion Commander ng tatlong

beses.Tatlong battalion po ang kanyang pinamunuan—ang 45IB, ang 26IB, at ang 2nd Scout Ranger BN sa Mindanao.

Natunghayan din ng kanyang ama ng ilang ulit siyang nag-oathtaking sa Malacanang—mula sa

promotion niya to one-star general, as commander of the 103RD BDE sa Basilan, Mindanao; to two-

star general as SOCOM Commander, Philippine Army; and to three-star general as Commanding

General, Philippine Army.

At noong taong 1986, matapos ang EDSA 1, kasunod ang ilang makulay at madugong bahagi

ng ating kasaysayan, ang ating panauhing pandangal ay itinalagang pinuno ng Presidential Security

Group (PSG) – at sa kanyang mga kamay ay iniatang at ipinagkatiwala ang seguridad ng luklukan ng

kapangyarihan, at gayun na rin ang buhay at kapakanan ng Pangulo at unang pamilya ng Pilipinas. Sabi

nga ni General Ramon Farolan na isa ring beterano, at kanyang isinulat sa kanyang column sa Philip-

pine Daily Inquirer kamakailan lamang, and I quote—―It tells a lot about the character of the man.‖

Alam ko po na ibig na ninyo siyang marinig at makaniig, kaya mga kababayan, isa pong karan-

galan at aking ikinalulugod na ipakilala sa inyo ang ating panauhing pandangal sa araw na ito—isang

beterano at anak ng beterano, kaisa sa adhikain ng mga beterano, ang ating Kalihim ng Tanggulang

Pambansa ng Pilipinas, ang Kagalang-galang VOLTAIRE TUVERA GAZMIN.

“Ito po ang

paninindigan ng bawat

kawani at kasapi ng

Pangkat PVAO: na ang

Serbisyo sa Beterano ay

Serbisyo sa ating

Bayan.”

“...isang beterano at

anak ng beterano, kaisa

sa adhikain ng mga

beterano...”

Speech of DND Sec. Voltaire T. Gazmin delivered during the 39th PVAO Anniversary on Sept. 23, 2011 at the PVAO Covered Court

The dynamic & hardworking administrator of PVAO, retired

Lt. Gen. Ernesto ―Nesty‖ Carolina; distinguished guests, our honored

awardees in today’s ceremony; fellow veterans; the industrious officials &

civilian employees of PVAO; fellow workers in government; ladies & gentle-

men.

Let me first express my thanks to General Carolina for his kind

invitation for me to be with you on this proud occasion. We are happy to

be here today as we mark PVAO’s 39th year of devoted service for the

wellbeing of our veterans and their families.

Allow me also to extend my warmest congratulations to our

civilian personnel awardees and retirees whom we recognized & honored

today, for their dedicated services to PVAO. Without doubt, it has been

through their conglomerate good deeds and achievements that PVAO

continues to be of genuine service to our veterans and their families. We

should give a big round of applause to our awardees!

The personal sacrifices of our war veterans and the important roles they played in our country’s history have been clearly

recognized and honored by our government. Thus, in affirmation of our nation’s grateful thanks and the great responsibility that

our government owes to our veterans, enshrined in Section 7, Articles 16 of our 1987 Constitution which reads, ―The State sha ll

provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns,

their surviving spouses and orphans. Funds shall be provided therefore and due consideration shall be given them in the disposition

of agricultural lands of the public domain and, in appropriate cases, in the utilization of natural resources.‖ This is the

Constitutional mandate that paved the way for the enactment of Republic Act No. 6948 in 1990 that granted pension and

non-pension benefits to our veterans and their beneficiaries, and the enactment of Republic Act No. 7696 in 1994 that provided

for the increases in the rates of the same benefits.

I am pleased as I laud the concerted and continuing efforts of PVAO to institute real reforms for the benefit of our veterans. Your implementation of the Direct Remittance Pension Servicing System, or DRPSS, has ensured faster, more efficient,

and more accurate and secured pension delivery to our pensioners. This is an affirmation of the President’s ―Tuwid na Daan‖ as,

thru this system, you have finally done away with ghost pensioners. Your conduct of intensified pensioners’ Revalidation Program

has effected to the continuous cleansing of our list of pensioners. By closely monitoring the true living status and validating the real

identity of our pensioners, you have prevented the occurrence of false claims by fictitious veterans.

Your creation and operation of PVAO’s Anti-Fraud and Anti-Fixers Task Force in coordination with intelligence and law

enforcement agencies have resulted in the arrests of fixers and fraudulent claimants, and their subsequent prosecution in our

courts of law. I am also aware of the legal assistance and services made available by PVAO’s Legal Affairs Division to our

pensioners who were victimized by fixers. You have really done a great help to your veterans, from the documentation of

evidences, and building of strong cases against the perpetrators until the litigation of their cases in court.

I am aware of PVAO’s many more administrative programs that are meant to accord utmost benefits to our veterans,

from their health concerns to the educational needs of their dependents.

I am sure it will interest our fellow veterans to know of our President’s commitment to pay the increases in the pension

benefits of our pensioners in due time. It may be late, but you will get paid. That is a debt, so you will get your money, the

President said. Let us, therefore, express our total support to PVAO’s well-meaning efforts to be of utmost service to our veterans

in the best possible way they can.

As a humble veteran, who bears the memory of having a father who was a veteran himself and who inhabited our native

land for 102 years, I can only entrust myself, as all of must do, to the care of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, it being the

manager of our veterans’ urgent concerns and aspirations.

I wish to commend even as I congratulate Administrator ―Nesty‖ Carolina, a veteran himself, for all the things he has been

earnestly doing for all of our veterans. And to all of our PVAO personnel, thank you as well for all the good things that you have

done for and will continue to do for our veterans.

I am confident that with your manifested dedication, you shall be true to your theme, ―PVAO: Patuloy sa

Makabuluhang Pagbabago at Ibayong Serbisyo sa Beterano.‖

Happy anniversary and warmest congratulations! Maraming salamat at magandang umaga! ■

Continuing Enhancement of Services for the Veterans

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In a symbolic act of lasting gratitude, leaders of various veterans organizations presented a Resolution of Appreciation to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office during the agency’s 39th anniversary celebration last September 23, 2011 at the PVAO Covered Court, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The said resolution recognizes the cumulative accomplish-ments and significant achieve-ments of PVAO over the years and its impact the general welfare of the veterans and their legal dependents. These

accomplishments include the administration of pension to over 250,000 pensioners nationwide, the provision of healthcare and educational benefits to the veterans and their families, the revitalization of a united Filipino veterans community, the maintenance and development of national military shrines, and the cleansing and updating of the Pensioners Master List.

Sec. Voltaire T. Gazmin led the presentation of the resolution. Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina, together with the past PVAO administrators present during the event—Dir. Gen. Umberto A. Rodriguez, Atty. Hector A. Villacorta, Gen. Fortunato U. Abat & Gen. Sinforoso S. Duque received the resolution for PVAO. ■

DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin presents the Resolution to past and the present Administrators of PVAO.

The leaders of various veterans organizations who were among the signatories in the Resolution.

Veteran Leaders Present Resolution of AppreciationVeteran Leaders Present Resolution of AppreciationVeteran Leaders Present Resolution of Appreciation

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The Resolution of Appreciation presented by the leaders of veterans organizations during PVAO’s 39th Anniversary .

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Presentation of PVAO’s document scanning and digitizing project

“Milestones,” PVAO Photo Exhibit, was on display during the Anniversary week

Sec. Gazmin’s timely arrival gave him ample time to interact with veterans Discussing the plight of unrecognized

guerrillas with Gen. Abat, TMSB Chairman

The SND was delighted to see familiar faces

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The day started with a Thanks-giving mass

PVAO-VMMC Chorale The emcees The most important guests: our Veterans

Our VMMC Colleagues The Administrator’s Team

Our people who made our services to veterans & their

beneficiaries possible through the years

Special thanks to these hardworking people

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PVAO & VMMC, Partners in Serving Veterans & FamiliesPVAO & VMMC, Partners in Serving Veterans & FamiliesPVAO & VMMC, Partners in Serving Veterans & Families Outreach Held for VMMC PatientsOutreach Held for VMMC PatientsOutreach Held for VMMC Patients

Employees and officials of

PVAO and the Veterans Memorial

Medical Center came together to

honor the veterans and their de-

pendents during the gift-giving event

held at the Basilio J. Valdez Hall in

VMMC last September 21, 2011.

Dubbed as “Ika-39 na Taong

Anibersaryong Handog: Alay-Pagkalinga

at Paglilingkod,” the said tribute is part

of the 39th anniversary celebration of

PVAO. It aimed to pay homage to

the veterans and their dependents,

particularly those in the hospital

wards, and to show that they are still

remembered and is very much part

of the agency’s commemoration.

VMMC Director, Dr. Nona

F. Legaspi, even expressed in her

opening remarks how the said tribute

demonstrated the genuine concern

of PVAO and VMMC to the veterans.

“In my 32 years of service in

VMMC, ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang tunay na pagkakaisa ng PVAO at VMMC sa pagpapakita ng pagmamalasakit sa ating mga beter-

ano.” She further reiterated the commitment of all the officials and staff of VMMC in providing better and compassionate service to

its patients, particularly the veterans and their dependents.

Special Guest, Hon. Eduardo G. Batac, Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs, lauded the efforts of PVAO

and VMMC in improving the hospitalization and medical services for the veterans. USec. Batac, the special guest for the said event,

is a son of a veteran. In opening his message, USec. Batac shared how he personally feels privileged to be part of this special trib-

ute to the veterans and their dependents at VMMC. His father, the late, Brigadier General Gonzalo L. Batac AFP (Ret.), spent his

last few days at VMMC due to a debilitating disease.

After the messages, USec. Batac, PVAO Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina, and Dr. Legaspi led the distribution of

“Pagkalinga Packs,” a gift bag which contains grocery and medicinal items that will support the patient’s recovery. Ten wheelchairs

were also given to selected recipients. After the program, USec. Batac and Administrator Carolina also visited selected wards.

Special music also filled the air as PVAO-VMMC Chorale rendered songs during the event. ■

A soldier with amputated leg gets a wheelchair from PVAO A,PVAO assisted Usec. Batac in the distribution of Pagkalinga Packs to VMMC patients

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In cheerful spirit: the PVAO & VMMC Outreach Team

The veterans who received wheelchairs & Pagkalinga packs from PVAO

Dir. Nona ascertained a patient’s condition prior to the program

Dir. Legaspi: “Ngayon ko lang naramdaman na ang VMMC ay itinuturing na tunay na bahagi ng PVAO.”

Ajjie & Archie– PVAO employees helping a veteran who is among the “abandoned patients” VMMC takes care of

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PVAO-VMMC Chorale singing “Para Sa ‘Yo”

UCVRA, A, PVAO & other officials aiding wheelchair recipients

All smiles: The hard-working social workers of VMMC

PVAO-VMMC Outreach Participants

The hosts: Dr. June (VMMC) & Jet (PVAO)

PVAO Division Chiefs facilitated distribution of “Pagkalinga Packs” to VMMC patients

Dr. Legaspi checks patients’ condition

Defense, PVAO & VMMC officials

A veteran looking at pictures printed on his coupon

Christmas isn’ too early for those w/generous hearts

PVAO Employees & Service Partners, Honored PVAO is home to dedicated and committed public servants for the past 39 years. As traditionally held, model employ-ees, supervisors and retirees who have served our veterans for many years, were recognized during the anniversary week. The agency honored four of its partner-institution in delivering benefits & services to veterans. Their plaques and cash incentives were awarded by no less than Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin.

(L-R) Mrs. Raquel A. Cajuguiran—Chief, Claims Division, Mrs. Teresita C. Cuevas—Chief, Veterans Memorial and Historical Division & Mrs. Dolores M. Geronimo—Chief Administrative Officer, VMMC .

MODEL EXECUTIVES

(L-R) Mr. Daniel Ivan E. Jayaon, Mrs. Marina P. Barrientos, Ms. Carlota M. Pascual, Mrs. Isabelita B. Encienzo, Mr. Em-manuel Biscocho, and Ms. Remedios A. Josol, with Adm. Ernesto G. Carolina, Ms. Mariciel Estacio-Acting Chief, Administrative Divi-sion, & Commo. Salvador T. Esguerra (Ret.) - Chief, MID.

Mrs. Virginia D. Lopez, Model Supervisor of the Year

MODEL SUPERVISORS

BEST SHRINE UNIT: Mt. Samat Shrine

Mr. Manolo Castillo : Best Shrine Curator & Best Shrine Unit for Mt. Samat National Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitin-gan)

MODEL EMPLOYEES

(L-R) Mrs. Lewina B. Dumelod, Mrs. Lilia A. Mijares, Mrs. Lilian G. Aquita-nia, Mrs. Lorenza C. Fabellon, Mrs. Shiralee C. Nibalvos, Mr. Anthony delos Reyes, Mr. Eduardo M. Lison, and Mr. Valerio C. Prado.

Mrs. Anamy A. Dimaliwat, Model Employee of the Year

BEST FIELD TEAM—FT Zamboanga

BEST FIELD EMPLOYEE

Mr. Eribert John M. Puno of the Field Service Extension Office (FSEO) 3 —Pampanga City

Field Service Extension Office (FSEO) 9 —Zamboanga City represented by Mr. Michael C. Cuevas

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(L-R) Mr. Nowel Guillermo Torino, Asst. Financial Claims Examiner, Field Team Batangas (posthumous award received by his widow, Mrs. Cecilia Torino); Mr. Joselito R. Reyes, Administrative Aide IV, General Services Section, (posthumous award received by his daughter, Ms. Karen Segumalian); Mr. Daniel M. Baltazar, Security Guard I, Veterans Records and Management Division, (posthumous award received by his widow, Mrs. Erlinda Baltazar); Mr. Rodolfo Magbanua, Administrative Aide III, Veterans Memorial and Historical Division, (award received by his son, Johndolf Magbanua)

Filipino War Veterans Foundation (FILVETS), Inc.—recognized for its continued strong partnership with PVAO in providing healthcare services the nation’s war heroes & their dependents through the conduct of medical &dental missions & maintenance of 11 Medical Outreach Clinics nationwide. FILVETS President Umberto Rodriguez received the plaque on behalf of FILVETS, Inc.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Philippine Army “Task Group Bantay” under the leadership of Col. Marcial O. Constante Jr. GSC (Cav) PA, Commanding Officer - recognized for con-tinuously securing the hal-lowed grounds of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, thereby me-morializing the heroism of our fallen Filipino veterans and soldiers.

Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) - awarded for the commitment and passion it shares with PVAO for promoting the Filipino Veterans’ agenda. Lt. Gen. Raul S. Urgello AFP (Ret.), AGFO President, received the plaque for the organization.

Philippine Military Academy Foundation, Inc. (PMAFI) - honored for its pursuit of academic excellence, character-building, and leadership training for the cadets of the Philippine Military Academy who are the future leaders and defenders of our nation. BGen. Rosalino Alquiza AFP (Ret.), PMAFI President, received the award.

Armed Forces Foun-dation for Education, Inc. (AFFEI) - honored for its relentless sup-port and partnership with PVAO in its noble endeavor of ensuring a bright future for the de-pendents of Filipino soldiers who were

killed-in-action and permanently incapacitated through scholar-ship grants. AFFEI’s award was received by BGen. Raul J. Reyes AFP, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1.

PVAO R E T I R E E S

Mr. Heriberto L. Ruanto, Chief Administrative

Officer, Finance Division

Ms. Julieta V. Mariano, Chief Admin.

Officer, Administrative Division

Ms. Ester F. Macatangay, Admin. Officer V, Planning & Management Division

Ms. Ana A. Nacis, Special Investigator III, Legal Affairs Division (received by Ms. Virginia Gomba)

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This Anniversary Issue of the PVAO Bulletin is published by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. For comments, questions, or reactions, you may write to:

PVAO Strategic Communications Section at [email protected] and [email protected]. Landline: 02-9124526 Email: [email protected] & [email protected]

Text: PVAO<space>message send to 2920 Facebook Page: Philippine Veterans Affairs Office

PVAO: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE* COL CESAR P. POBRE (Ret), PhD, MNSA

To know how the Philippine Veterans Affairs

Office (PVAO) came to be what it is today, it would be

helpful to have a historical perspective, keeping in mind

that the Office did not occur in a vacuum or in isolation. It

came about through a process of conditioning by a series

of positive and negative past forces and events. These may

have been political, economic or social. Which is why we

need to look for its connections.

Why did PVAO come into being? Let us look into

the past, into its origins. By the last decade of the 19th

century, the Filipinos, fed up by centuries of Spanish

oppressive rule & no longer unable to keep their pent-up

feelings of what they called violent action for ―Kalayaan ng

Inang Bayan‖, launched the 1896 revolution. In a couple of

years, that is in 1898, they succeeded in glorious triumph.

But hardly a year after, even as the euphoria of their victory had not subsided and their efforts at setting up the governmental

machinery of what was a liberal and democratic Philippine Republic still incomplete, the Filipinos had to fight again in defense

of their newly-won victory against the Americans. They were defeated, and again the Philippines was once more colonized,

this time by the U.S.

Both wars caused the people a lot of casualties. Countless Filipino warriors along with a good number of foreigners

who fought on their side were killed and wounded. Those killed left their families – wives, sons and daughters - destitute.

Many of those wounded were rendered invalid for life, hardly able to eke a living. It was under these circumstances that the all

-Filipino law-making body of the colonial government – the Philippine Legislature – did something to ameliorate the plight of

the victims, particularly the invalids of the Philippine Revolution. Invalids of the Philippine-American War were not included,

however. In its Resolution No. 8 of February 8, 1917, the Legislature created a joint committee to prepare a list of invalids.

Then, a year later, on February 23, 1918, it passed Act No. 2756. This law empowered the Secretary of Interior to determine

who were the invalids, with the list drawn by the Committee as reference. Further, he was to establish, maintain and adminis-

ter a home for the invalids, where they would be taken care of and given assistance. For the purpose he was authorized to

receive donations of all kinds and include its funding support in the yearly appropriation for his Department.

Then, in 1935, following the grant of

Philippine autonomy, the Commonwealth

Government was established preparatory to

independence in ten years. In June 1938, the law-

making body, now the National Assembly, felt the

need for the government to look after the

welfare and well-being of all veterans. And as a

gesture of grateful appreciation for their patriotic

services to the country, it enacted a law

(Commonwealth Act No. 288), repealing Act

2756 and creating a ―Board of Pensions for Veter-

ans.‖ Subject to the Interior Secretary’s approval

it was to determine who were veterans, classify them by ranks and fix their pensions.

_______________

*as read during the 23rd anniversary celebration of PVAO on September 23, 2011.

The Philippine Veterans Board

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The Philippine Veterans Board Museum

Commonwealth President Manuel Quezon, who was a veteran

himself, must have been so concerned for the care and upkeep of the

veterans that he ordered the Board, barely two months old, to be

transferred from the Department of Interior to the Office of the

President. Then, in 1940, under Commonwealth Act No. 605, the Board

obtained an even more formal composition, with the Commissioner of

the Budget as Chairman and the Commissioner of Civil Service and the

Auditor General as members. The law also appropriated funds for the

Board to discharge its functions.

After the country became independent and the Third Republic

of the Philippines inaugurated, the Philippine Congress (Senate and

House of Representatives) passed a law (RA No. 65). This law created

the Philippine Veterans Board whose members were all veterans; it was

placed under the DND. More importantly, the law created a bill of rights for veterans, granting educational benefits, disabil-

ity and death pensions as well as veterans preference in civil service examinations. Four years later, in 1950, another law

(RA 539) was passed creating a ―Board of Pensions of Veterans.‖ It is not clear whether it had the effect of reverting the

board to its former name. In any case, the new law was an improvement in that this time the board was now to pay pen-

sions according to the manner prescribed by the law. This was to ensure against giving pension to fake veterans and that

pensions were actually received by the veterans. The monthly pension ranged from 30 to 100 pesos.

Meanwhile, a Veterans Claims Commission was established under the Office of the President. It was to go over

and decide all unsettled claims of Filipino veterans. Also, the Commission was to work and negotiate for more benefits for

Filipino veterans from the US. This mandate appears to have stemmed from the general expectation that Filipino veterans

would get the same or similar benefits the US government would be providing for their American counterparts.

On June 18, 1960, all the offices having to do with the administration of veterans benefits were abolished, including

the Board of Pensions for Veterans, the Philippine Veterans Board, the Veterans Back Pay Commission, the Veterans Claims

Commission, and the Claims Office under the Office of the AFP Judge Advocate General. Their functions and responsibili-

ties as well as their records, supplies and equipment were all consolidated and brought under a new office – the Philippines

Veterans Administration which was placed under the Office of the President.

Shortly after Martial Law was

declared, Presidential Decree No. 1,

dated 24 September 1972, was issued.

The decree reorganized the executive

branch of the national government in

accordance with what was laid out as the

Integrated Reorganization Plan. Part of

the Plan was the establishment of the Phil-

ippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO)

under the DND. This was why, in accor-

dance with the decree and a subsequent

Letter of Implementation, the Secretary of

National Defense ordered the creation

and organization of the PVAO as outlined

in the reorganization plan. Among other

responsibilities the PVAO assumed the functions of the Philippine Veterans Administration, the Veterans Claims Settlement

Staff, and the Assistance Center for Ex-Servicemen, which were all abolished. The Veterans Memorial Hospital was likewise

made an operating unit under PVAO.

And so as we now take a second look at PVAO, we see from its origins in American colonial times to this day, a

historical process that has been shaped by the relational impact of positive and negative forces and events and as well the

will and the wisdom of men. With pride and satisfaction we also see PVAO as a government instrumentality doing well its

job of looking after the care and treatment of veterans and keeping their patriotic services ever fresh in the memory of the

Filipino people, particularly the young.

It has thus become a prayer and a challenge that their welfare and well-being and the memory of their patriotic

services be preserved and enhanced by our leaders. Will they, in particular, those in the Defense Department and PVAO,

listen to the prayer? Will they be able to stand equal to the challenge? Given their demonstrated competence, zeal and

will, I have no doubt that they will. Yes, they will, with God’s blessings. ■

P A G E 1 5


The Philippine Veterans Administration employees in Arroceros St., Manila

PVB Administrator Torralba & his four deputies

Play golf - the heroes way! For many years now, the Veterans Gold Club has been the venue for golf tournaments

that pave the way for various medical, dental, and educational assistance given to veterans and their dependents.

Favored for its location, the Veterans Golf Club is one of the popular golf courses in Metro Manila. Situated at the heart of Quezon City business district, it is very close to Trinoma and SM North malls and is accessible to cities along EDSA and other main thoroughfares. Veterans Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course that is open to the public. It offers an enjoyable round of golf for all enthusiasts with its challenging fairways with some water hazard, sand traps around the well-kept greens and tucked with big trees.

Documents

Pvao bulletin anniversary issue