Pvao bulletin september 2011 issue

PVAO: Beyond Anniversaries

Long before the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office was formally constituted as the main agency in charge of veterans’ affairs in the country on September 24, 1972, it has already been doing its mission way back in the early 1900s.

Its roots date back to February 23, 1918 when Philippine Legislature Act No. 2756, considered the very first legislation on veterans benefit administration, was passed granting power to the Secretary of the Department of Interior to certify the records of disabled soldiers of the Philippine Revolution. The said act likewise authorized the Secretary of Interior to gather, care for, and assist such disabled soldiers of past revolutions and for that purpose, may establish, equip, and manage homes for disabled soldiers at suitable places.

On March 24, 1920, Philippine Legislature Act No. 2922 was approved, this time, granting a life pension to General Emilio Aguinaldo in recognition of his services to the cause of the Philippine Revolution. (Continued on page 9)

PVAO BulletinPVAO BulletinPVAO Bulletin S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 2

The Quarterly Newsletter of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office

Serbisyo sa Beterano. Serbisyo sa Bayan.

THE VETERAN-CENTENARIAN. Veteran Alfonso Caplis Fabros was born on February 13, 1901 at Balaoan, La Union. He served as a member of the 1st Regular Division PA under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Mr. Fabros has 12 children and is presently residing at Calaanan, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. At the age of 110, he can still stand on his own and walk within the house. He chews nganga and rolled tobacco leaves during his pastime. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Mercy Facun, PVAO FSEO#3-Tarlac)

IN THIS ISSUE:

PVAO— “An Exemplary IDR Agency,” says Ombudsman PEFTOK Veterans Share their Korean War Experience Rep. Lani Mercado Assures Support to Veterans Agenda What Veterans Need to Know: Total Administrative Disability (TAD) Pension

PVAO celebrates its 39th anniversary with a firm resolve to continue and enhance its meaningful service to our country’s defenders—the Filipino veterans.

President Corazon C. Aquino signs Republic Act 6948 on April 9, 1990 at Fort Santiago, Manila.

PVAO Bulletin P A G E 2

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 * September 2011

“PVAO has always been a source of pride – an exemplary agency that puts at its best the IDR discipline,” said Atty. Rafael G. Hipolito, the newly-assigned Resident Ombudsman for the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines - Philippine Navy, and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office during a special Executive Committee (Execom) Meeting at the PVAO Conference Room on August 03, 2011.

Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina welcomed Atty. Hipolito with an agency briefing to update him on the progress of the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) implementation and the initiated reforms, particularly in organizational structure & distribution of tasks pursuant to the approved function-based plantilla of PVAO. Prior to the briefing, Atty. Romeo S. Lazo, Deputy Administrator, introduced the division and section chiefs who are also members of the ExeCom.

Atty. Hipolito is not really a newcomer in PVAO, having been a member of the Integrity Development Review (IDR) team that helped the agency formulate its IDAP.

Addressing the PVAO officials, Atty. Hipolito also said that he comes with marching orders from Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales whose idea of eradicating corruption is “nipping it on the bud.” A retired Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, Ombudsman Carpio-Morales whose appointment to lead the constitutional body was announced during the July 2011 State of the Nation Address of Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III, identified as priority the drafting of terms of references for big ticket contracts involving public agencies to ensure that those projects will benefit the people.

Atty. Hipolito thanked the PVAO Management for the warm reception and for walking him around PVAO’s various office buildings after the briefing to familiarize him with the re-clustering of offices that has taken place.

Admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1999, Atty. Hipolito continued his pursuit of higher learning in prestigious academic institutions such as the Asian Institute of Management and the University of Hongkong. The young and energetic Ombudsman finished his International Postgraduate Certificate Course in Corruption Studies in 2004 with Distinction.

He first joined government service as a Legal Officer in the Department of Agriculture in 1997 before transferring to the Office of the Ombudsman in the year 2000. He was a member of the Drafting Committee on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti- Red Tape Law. He was also part of the Philippine Delegation which drafted the Terms of Reference for the Implementation Review Mechanism of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Vienna Austria after which he served as an assessor in the Pilot Implementation Review of UNCAC, Bogota,

Republic of Columbia. Atty. Hipolito succeeded Atty. Katherine C. Jambaro-Altubar who was also instrumental to the crafting of PVAO’s IDAP. Atty. Kath has been reassigned to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) where she would definitely share her wealth of experiences as an effective resident ombudsman. ■

PVAOPVAOPVAO——— “An Exemplary IDR Agency,” says Ombudsman“An Exemplary IDR Agency,” says Ombudsman“An Exemplary IDR Agency,” says Ombudsman

Administrator Carolina shows to Atty. Hipolito the

PVAO Citizen’s Charter conspicuously posted in the

PVAO Frontline Section.

Atty. Katherine C. Jambaro-Altubar, former resident Ombudsman of PVAO,

receives a Certificate of Appreciation from A, PVAO for her numerous contri-

butions to the agency’s efforts to raise its level of integrity and improve

frontline services delivery. Also on photo is Ms. Lea Rosemary V. Liban,

Chief of Planning & Management Division who was also a part of the

Integrity Development Review Team that previously assessed PVAO.



Lady legislator Lani Mercado-Revilla assured her support for legislative measures advancing veterans’ welfare in the 15th Congress during a flag-ceremony program last July 11, 2011 at the PVAO Covered Court in consonance with the Gender and Development (GAD) plan being implemented by the agency.

Rep. Mercado-Revilla was chosen by the PVAO-GAD Committee as its fourth GAD-vocate for her versatility as a legislator, a devoted spouse to Sen. Ramon Bong” Revilla Jr. and a hands-on mother to her children and grand-children. She was preceded by Dr. Pilar H. de Ocampo, Atty. Anthonette V. Allones and former Rep. Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel, who were previously invited to inspire agency employees to nurture a gender-sensitive environment that protects and promotes the rights of both employees and clientele.

The representative of Cavite’s second district brought warmth to a gloomy Monday weather as she apprised the officers and employees of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office on her accomplishments as a law-maker. Her being a neophyte in a male-dominated Congress has not deterred her from actively joining 16 congressional committees in varying capacity as chairperson, vice-chairperson or member.

To date, she has authored 35 bills and co-authored 75 bills of local and national significance, majority of which grants state protection and/pr benefits to the marginalized sectors of the society – the women, children and the elderly. Among the bills she co-authored was House Bill No. 4359, An Act Providing For The Payment Of The Total Administrative Disability Pension to Senior Veterans of Wars and Military Campaigns approved by the Lower House

on May 31, 2011 and transmitted to the Senate on June 02, 2011. Jesusa Victoria Hernandez in real life, Rep. Lani is a daughter of the late Maj. Vicente Lagrosa Hernandez and Old Age Pensioner Justa Garcia Hernandez. Her father was a USAFFE veteran who continued serving in the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a member of the Philippine Constabulary. During the Sunset Ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on April 11, 2011 this year, she accepted the Posthumous Award for Gallantry in Action conferred on her father by PVAO. After the program, Rep. Mercado-Revilla graciously stayed for photo-ops with agency employees and joined the members of the PVAO Executive Committee for an agency briefing at the PVAO Conference Room. ■

Rep. Lani Mercado Assures Support to Veterans’ AgendaRep. Lani Mercado Assures Support to Veterans’ AgendaRep. Lani Mercado Assures Support to Veterans’ Agenda

Rep. Mercado-Revilla received a memento of pictures of her

participation during the Araw ng Kagitingan 2011 celebration.

GOING BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY

Our snappy salute to veteran Reggie A. Nacua (utmost right, second row). Not only did he submit his picture for PVAO’s Revalidation Program, he even mobilized his fellow veterans to dress-up and gather for a souvenir photo for PVAO. Mr. Nacua is a World War II veteran and now lives in San Diego, California, USA. The Revalidation Program is part of the three-pronged program of PVAO in cleansing its pension list. It requires the annual submission of Pensioner Update Form (PUF), latest photo of the pensioner, photocopy of government-issued IDs, and other related documents.

SNAP(py)SHOTS



Every PEFTOK Veteran Counts! As part of the joint efforts to locate and account all surviving PEFTOK veterans, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the PEFTOK Veterans Association, Inc. (PVAI) are inviting all PEFTOK veterans and their dependents to get in touch with PVAO and PVAI. If you or your relative is part of this defining moment in our country’s history, please contact the PVAO office at (02) 911-4296 or Col. Paterno V. Viloria, Ph. D, PVAI President, at (02)911-2579 or email him at [email protected]. We’d be happy to hear from you.

Veterans Ernesto A. Venturina, Jovencio P. Dominguez, Faustino Tumamak and Francisco S. Tamondong of the 19th and 10th Battalion Combat Teams, Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) shared real-life battle experience in a symposium titled “Korean War: PEFTOK’s Greatest Battles” on August 31, 2011 at the National Defense College of the Philippines auditorium. Organized to remember the valuable participation of the PEFTOK veterans during the Korean War from 1950-1953, three distinguished historians also each gave a lecture on selected highlights of the Korean War. Mr. Art Villasanta, son of the Korean War correspondent Johnny F. Villasanta, discussed “The Origins of the Korean War” followed by Professor Rico Jose of the University of the Philippines-Diliman on the

“Battle of Yuldong,” and Professor Janet Atutubo of the University of Santo Tomas who lectured on the “Battle of Hill Eerie.”

A well-mix of high school students, members of the academe, representatives from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines, descendants of Korean War veterans, and the Korean War veterans themselves attended the symposium. An open forum facilitated by Dr. Evelyn A. Songco, President of the Philippine Historical Association ensued thereafter.

Julito Velasco, Jr., a sophomore student of Quirino High School, shared his discovery during the symposium, “Hindi lang pala sa bansa lumalaban ang ating mga sundalo. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na tumutulong din pala tayo sa ibang bansa…Napatunayan ko ngayon na matapang talaga ang Pilipino, inspirasyon ko ang mga beterano.”

Ms Disuanco, a social studies teacher of Jose P. Laurel National High School, said that the symposium was a “very meaningful activity,” where participants had an “in-depth view of the Korean War. Pinapagtibay nito na buhay – mga totoong tao – ang ibinubuwis sa giyera.”

Her student, Francis Jerimiah Manaog, a sophomore student of Jose P. Laurel National High School, already had plans on what he learned from the symposium: “Ang pinaka-importante kong natutunan dito sa symposium ay love of country dahil ito ang kulang sa bayan natin ngayon eh. Mahal nila ang country nila kaya hindi nila hahayaang bumag-sak. Kailangang ipamahagi ito (aking mga natutunan) sa iba kong friends. We were given a wonderful opportunity to

attend [the symposium], so dapat lang na i-share din namin ito sa iba.” The symposium was organized by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the PEFTOK Veterans Association, Inc. (PVAI) in cooperation with the Philippine Historical Association as part of a series of activities on the occasion of the 2011 Korean War Veterans of the Philippines Memorial Day. ■

PEFTOK Veterans Share Korean War Experience PEFTOK Veterans Share Korean War Experience PEFTOK Veterans Share Korean War Experience Korean War Symposium Succeeds in Planting ‘Seeds of Heroism’

Living Heroes—(L-R) Veterans Francisco Tamondong, Faustino Tumamak, Jovencio Dominguez, and Ernesto Ven-turina at the Korean War symposium.

Looking Up—(L-R) PVAI President Col. Paterno V. Viloria, Mr. Art Villasanta, Mrs. Isabelita Aganon, Prof. Janet Atutubo, Prof. Rico Jose, and PVAO Adminis-trator Ernesto Carolina. At the back of Administrator Carolina is PHA President Dr. Evelyn Songco.

My Veteran, My Idol—Students gathered around the PEFTOK veterans after the symposium.

PEFTOK Cup Open Golf Tournament: A Success

PVAO, in cooperation with PVAI, was successfully and meaningfully held the “PEFTOK Cup Open Golf Tournament” last September 3, 2011 at the Veterans Golf Club in VMMC as part of the commemorative activities of the 2011 Korean War Veterans in the Philippines Memorial Day. As anticipated, the said tournament drew the support and participation of noted veterans and sports aficionados such as former President Fidel V. Ramos, Sec. Eduardo

R. Ermita, Sec. Renato S. de Villa, USec. Eduardo G. Batac, Chairman Jose P. Magno Jr., and other retired officers. Several officials and dignitaries from South Korea also

attended the tournament with His Excellency Ambassador Hye Min Lee, who performed the ceremonial tee-off.

The proceeds of the PEFTOK Cup Golf Tournament, which amounted to P500,000, was immediately turned over by PVAO Administrator to Col. Paterno Viloria, PVAI President. This will support PVAI’s educational scholarship and medical outreach programs to veterans and their de-pendents. ■



Korean War Veterans in the Philippines Remembered Korean War Veterans in the Philippines Remembered Korean War Veterans in the Philippines Remembered Series of Meaningful Activities Held

His Excellency Hye Min Lee, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, underscored the debt of gratitude the Korean people owes the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) during the Korean War which serves as the strong cornerstone in the bilateral relations between the two countries. In his speech during the 37th Annual PVAI Convention held last September 7, 2011 at the Philippine Army Officers Club, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City, the Korean Ambassador assured not only the PEFTOK Veterans Association Incorporated (PVAI)

but the Filipino people in general of Korea’s full support now and in the years to come. Citing that Korea is currently the largest trading partner of the Philippines and the third largest source of foreign investment, Ambassador Lee also mentioned the gains both countries have sustained through economic and cultural partnership over the years.

Meanwhile, Ms. Rosa Rosal, Governor of the Philippine National Red Cross who was the Guest of Honor during the convention, encouraged every PEFTOKER to continue the noble service they have offered to the country when they were still at the prime of their youth. With the theme, “Commitment to a Culture of Integrity,” Ms. Rosal’s presence made the PEFTOKERs re-live their days when they were sent to defend the South Koreans from the insurgencies of North Korea. “Even if we are old, we can still make a difference. And if before, I did not think twice of serving the country dur-ing the Korean War, I would not think twice of doing the same today if there is a need for me to serve the country again ,” said the PNRC Governor.

After the message, the Korean ambassador with Hon. Cho Yungkil, Adviser of Korean War Memorial Foundation and Former Korean Minister of National Defense, led the awarding of scholarship grants to elementary, high school, and college students. Incentives were also given to scholars that garnered high grades. Before the convention, a wreathlaying ceremony was also held at the Korean War Memorial Pylon at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. It was led by Hon. Eduardo G. Batac, Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs of the Department of National Defense as the guest of honor and speaker and Col. Kim Yi Kon, South Korean Defense

Attaché to the Philippines. ■

Former Pres. Fidel Ramos, Administrator Carolina, and Sec. Eduardo Ermita share a few light moments with His Excellency Hye Min Lee of South Korea.



The Confederation of World War II Veterans’ Sons and Daughters, Inc. (CONVETS SDAI) recently inducted its new set of officers last September 16, 2011 at the PVAO Conference Room.

PVAO Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina personally led the oath taking ceremony, which formally installed the following officers: Mr. Jaime U. Ingay as President, Mr. Pedro S. Molina as Vice President, Mr. Rosalino M. Cra-bantes as Secretary; Mr. Regie Gacayan as Treasurer; Mr. Jan Francis Ingay as Auditor, and Mr. Edgar B. Gacayan as Sgt. at Arms. A new Board of Directors were likewise inducted, namely: Ms. Priscilla M. Jalandoon, Ms. Victoria Molina, Mr. Gary Francisco, Ms. Lydia Abando, Ms. Salvacion Vasquez, and Ms. Florentina P. Awisi.

CONVETS is one of the chartered members of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines under RA 2640 and is now under the leadership of Cmdr. Roberto Gacayan. Meanwhile, the CONVETS SDAI is an affiliate organization of CONVETS founded on June 5, 2011. Expressing their full confidence in PVAO as the primary agency that manages veterans affairs, CONVETS SDAI welcomed the assistance of PVAO in officially instating its new breed of

leaders, in accordance to its amended constitution, which states that “The Governing Body shall…elect among them-selves the National Officers of the Organization and include its Members the President of the Auxiliary and the Presi-dent of the Sons and Daughters.”■

CONVETS SDAI Inducts New Officers

Leaders Young and Old—CONVETS SDAI (above) and CONVETS (below) took their oath of office.

PVAO Bulletin is published quarterly 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].



WHAT VETERANS NEED TO KNOW: Total Administrative Disability Pension

However, while RA 7696 was ratified on 1994, it did not identify the source of funding; hence, no appropriations had been provided for TAD Pension. This resulted in a huge outlay required to pay the accumulated obligations, which reached P25.0 B. The Congress conducted several hearings to find ways and means to fund this huge requirement.

When P170M was finally appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of 2010 to be able to partially pay TAD arrears, Joint Circular No. 2010-1 dated April 1, 2010 between the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of Budget Management (DBM) specified that initial TAD pay-ments shall only be for living/surviving World War II veterans.

For FY 2011, the amount of P500,289,600 has been appropriated for TAD. Hence, WWII veterans are now receiving their monthly pension of P1,700.

Given the guidelines in above-cited Joint Circular, the priority for future TAD Payments will be as fol-lows:

PRIORITY LIST FOR TAD Payments

1st Priority Living WWII Veterans P 4,036,429,000

2nd Priority Living Post WWII/AFP Veterans 80 yrs old and above P 1,301,356,800

3rd Priority Living Post WWII/AFP Veterans 70-79 years old P 978,792,000

4th Priority TAD Arrears for Eligible Deceased Veterans P 14,308,962,000

Total Remaining Arrears P 20,625,540,700

Our veterans have served the country during the prime and vigor of their youth. Now, as they age, their physical condition has naturally dwindled over the years—not to mention the medical disability that resulted from sickness, disease, wounds, or injuries they sustained in line of duty. Hence the State, in recognition of their highly valuable service to the country, has provided for a Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pension.

What is the Total Administrative Disability Pension? The Total Administrative Disability (TAD) pension is stipulated in RA 7696 Section 2 (h): “...a veteran, with or without a service-connected or non-service connected disability, upon reaching the age of seventy (70) is deemed totally disabled with one hundred per centum (100%) rating and shall be entitled to a monthly pension of One thousand seven hundred pesos (P1,700.00) plus Five hundred pesos (P500.00) for the spouse and each unmarried minor children.”

As such, payments have been made based on the priority list. While PVAO understands and greatly empathizes with the veterans regarding the need for the immediate payment of TAD pension, PVAO strictly adheres to the guidelines provided by the DBM. PVAO assures those who are entitled to TAD that the government continues to find ways and means to be able to pay all the TAD claims to include those for eligible deceased veterans.

For questions on TAD and other pension-benefits, the veterans and their legal dependents may get in touch with us at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City (or any nearest PVAO FSEO) or email us at

[email protected], or text us by typing PVAO<space>message and send to 2920. ■

Veterans Federation of the Philippines – Region IX headed by Col. Leandro T. Pacio, Regional Vice President, warmly welcomed the valuable assistance rendered by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office team during the 12th Joint VFP and the Sons & Daughters Association Inc. Regional Assembly last August 27, 2011 at the Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City.

Leading the team was Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina, AFP (Ret.), PVAO Administrator, who personally guided the presentation of an agency briefing on veterans benefits and services, distribution of information materials to veterans & their beneficiaries and the public assistance booth that accommodated queries and status verification on claims and pension applications.

Hon. Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco - Salazar, Representative of Zamboanga’s 1st District, addressed the delegates and assured them of her support to pending veterans legislation and related advocacies in the lower house.

She also read the speech of Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon, Chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security in the House of Representatives, who was the assembly’s guest of honor and speaker. Rep. Biazon was not able to join the veterans in the assembly due to prior engagements. Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat also graced the event and thanked the veterans for their significant contributions to the community. He also led the delegates in singing of Zamboanga’s hymn. Describing the VFP Zamboanga Assembly as one of the most well-attended gatherings of veterans he has ever seen, Administrator Carolina expressed gladness upon seeing familiar faces of retired and

active officers and enlisted personnel from the Southern Command (now Western Mindanao Command), where the Administrator served as Commanding General whose many accomplishments included the successful military campaign against international terrorist groups and local insurgents.

The Administrator also noted the peculiar composition of the VFP Region 9 that has active AFP officers and enlisted personnel as associate members. RVP Pacio and Deputy RVP Raul Roldan confirmed this and said that the key to the dynamism of the VFP Region 9 is the infusion of members from the AFP.

As of August 27, 2011, statistics from the Management Information Division reveals that there are only 364 living World War II veterans in the entire region out of 10,268 active pensioners.

A day before the assembly, the Administrator’s party also assisted in the medical outreach to veterans and their dependents at the VFP Region IX Headquarters in Petitt Barracks, Zamboanga City wherein over 200 patients were consulted by volunteer doctors and given prescribed medicines.

The Administrator also distributed wheelchairs and adjustable canes to veterans pre-identified by the PVAO Field Service Extension Office No. 9 – Zamboanga City. ■



VFP Region 9 Welcomes PVAO Assistance in General Assembly & Medical Outreach

Members of VFP-SDAI Region IX pose for a photo during the General Assembly.

Recipients of wheelchairs and adjustable canes together with PVAO Administrator and PVAO FSEO IX Zamboanga City staff.

Quoted:

“Sa pangunguna ng Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, o PVAO, pinabuti na po natin ang serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa ating mga beterano

sa pagbibigay ng akreditasyon sa halos tatlong daang hospital na mangangalaga sa inyong lahat. Asahan ninyong puspusang isasakatuparan ng gobyerno ang mga programa para sa inyo, upang suklian ang walang humpay ninyong paglilingkod sa bayan.”

- President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Pagdiriwang ng Araw ng mga Bayani, 29 Agosto 2011



Hon. Eduardo G. Batac is the present Undersecretary of the Office of the Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs (USCVRA) and OIC of the Office for Public Affairs under the Department of National Defense. Not entirely new to DND, USec. Batac used to be the department’s spokesperson. He is part of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ‘68 and obtained a Military Pilot Training in the Philippine Air Force Flying School. He also holds a Master of Business Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management under Washington Sycip Scholarship Grant.

USec. Batac is considered as an expert when it comes to civil aviation. He was instrumental in regaining for the country the Category 1 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States of America during the time of Gen. Charlie Tanega. He represented the country to aviation bilateral talks to different countries like China, South Korea, Japan, member-countries of the European Union, and other international organizations like FAA and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He was the Director of Flight Standards Inspectorate Service of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and head of the CAAP Acceptance Team of Boeing 777 in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Not known to many, USec. Batac is a son of the late Brigadier General Gonzalo L. Batac, a veteran of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL). Gen. Batac was a graduate of PMA Class ‘43, also known as the “Perennial Cows,” as this batch of PMAers were given the rank of 3rd Lieutenant during an emergency graduation held when the war broke out. Gen. Batac was deployed in Bataan and was captured along those who suffered in the Death March. During that time, Gen. Batac was already wounded in the neck when he was shot by a shrapnel from a mortar. His condition turned out to be a blessing as he was able to escape when he pretended to be dead. He later retired as the Commanding General of the First Military Area (presently NOLCOM). His sustained battle wound later caused his left arm to be paralyzed until he died in 1993 at the age of 73.

Although his father never talked about his experiences during war time, USec. Batac recognizes that his “personal affiliation” with his father’s colleagues, most of whom he met during his father’s tour of duty, has greatly influenced how he carries out his duties as a public servant.

During the agency briefing conducted by PVAO at the start of his appointment, USec. Batac enjoined the officials of PVAO to intensify its information campaign in appraising the public, particularly the veterans and their legal dependents, on the administration of veterans pensions and benefits. ■

PVAO: Beyond Anniversaries (continued from page 1)

On June 3, 1938, Philippine Legislature Act 2756 was repealed by Commonwealth Act 288, which created a “Board of Pensions for Veterans” under the Department of Interior. This is the first agency mandated to provide pensions for veterans of the past Philippine Revolution or wars, including the revolutionary soldiers of General Emilio Aguinaldo. Subsequently, Republic Act No. 65 was passed on October 18, 1946, creating the Philippine Veterans Board under the Department of National Defense. This Act created the Filipino Veterans Bill of Rights which granted educational benefits, disability, and death pensions as well as veterans preference in civil service examinations.

A series of legislation on veterans’ benefits and benefits administration later saw the birth of such other bodies as Veterans Claims Commission, Veterans Backpay Commission and the Philippine Veterans Administration until September 1972 when they were finally merged into one agency – the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office under the Department of National Defense. ■

GETTING TO KNOW

Undersecretary Eduardo G. Batac

This photo dated October 1967 shows the PVA employees in Arroceros, Manila.

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NOLAN V. BANDA Special Investigator III Nolan obtained his law degree from the Far Eastern University of the Philippines Law School and used to work at the Office for Legal Service of the Department of National Defense. He currently heads the Resumption Section of the Claims Division.

DARWIN M. CAMPO Shrine Curator II Darwin used to work for various electronics and communication companies abroad. Now, returning to his hometown in Tarlac, Darwin is the shrine curator of Capas National Shrine.

MARICIEL E. ESTACIO, MNSA Supervising Administrative Officer Ms. Mariciel is the acting chief of the Administrative Division. She is a graduate of Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) from the National Defense College of the Philippines. She is a granddaughter of Antonio D. Estacio, a World War II veteran.

LEA ROSEMARY V. LIBAN Chief Administrative Officer Ms. Lea is presently the chief of Plans and Management Division (PMD). She was the director of the Policy Research Office of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). Ms. Lea holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and finished cum laude at the National Center for Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) - UP Diliman.

COMMO. SALVADOR Q. ESGUERRA AFP (RET.) Information Technology Officer III Commodore Esguerra is currently the chief of Management Information Division (MID). He is a graduate of Class ‘74 of the Philippine Military Academy and served in various military leadership positions, latest of which was Commander of Communication Electronics and Information Systems Service AFP (CEISSAFP), GHQ.

JOMMEL P. TACTAQUIN Senior History Researcher Jommel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Prior to joining PVAO, Jommel was a researcher/analyst at the Department of National Defense.

ATTY. BRIAN JAMES C. CUEVAS Attorney IV Atty. Cuevas is the assistant chief of the Legal Affairs Division (LAD) and head of the Anti-Fraud Section of LAD. He concurrently serves as the Secretary of the Third Military Service Board. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Legal Management at the University of Sto. Tomas and graduated Bachelor of Laws at the University of the East.

GLENN T. BAYAWON Shrine Curator II A son of Kiangan, Ifugao himself, Glenn is a fitting addition to our staff in Kiangan National Shrine. Before joining PVAO, Glenn used to work as a researcher for the National Museum.

JHOAN C. LATADE Special Investigator II Jhoan is a graduate of Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City. Prior to joining PVAO, Jhoan used to work at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2, Armed Forces of the Philippines.

ATTY. TOMI L. TAVANLAR Attorney III Atty. Tavanlar is a product of two best law schools in the country, University of Sto. Tomas and San Sebastian College Recolectos. He now heads the Legal Assistance Section of LAD.

ARLA E. FONTAMILLAS Administrative Officer V Arla was a speechwriter at the Office of the Secretary Joint Staff - Armed Forces of the Philippines. She finished cum laude under the BA Speech Communication program in the Univer-sity of the Philippines-Diliman. She is now part of the Strategic Communications Section of PVAO.

GEORGE A. ARANAS Special Investigator II George or “Jojo”, as he is called by his peers, was an elected Municipal Councilor of his hometown in Palauig, Zambales during the May 2007 local elections before he joined PVAO. He just recently obtained his Bachelor of Laws at the Philippine Christian University.

Meet the New Members of the PVAO TeamMeet the New Members of the PVAO TeamMeet the New Members of the PVAO Team

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The PVAO Chorale won the “Best Arrangement of Song Competition” in the recently concluded Civil Service Commission (CSC) Government Chorale Competition on September 6, 2011 at the CCP Main Theater with their rendition of the competition song, “Para Sa’Yo.” Arranged by Mr. Joy T. Nilo, the song was an original composition of Ms. Trina Belamide. It is anchored on the rallying call of the CSC in underscoring the individual importance of the Filipino civil servant and the collective significance of the civil service in government.

PVAO Chorale was among the top 12 finalists that qualified for the said competition night. The other finalists were: Philippine Ports Authority Chorale, East Avenue Medical Center Chorale, Central Luzon State University Administration Choir, Bureau of Quarantine Chorale, Dangal ng Lungsod Batangan Chorale, POEA Chorale, Pag-ibig Fund Chorale, National Power Chorale, City Government of Makati Employees Choir, Professional Regulations Commission Chorale, and PAGCOR Voice Symphony. Each choir sang three songs, including their own rendition of the competition song, within a span of 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, the PVAO Running Team likewise successfully finished the 3K and 5K run also organized by the CSC last September 4, 2011 at the CCP Grounds. Dubbed as “R.A.C.E. to Serve” Fun Run, almost 3,000 government employees participated in the said event, which aims to promote physical fitness among government employees. The run was also enthusiastically supported by no other than His Excellency Vice President Jejomar C. Binay. With the theme: “R.A.C.E. to Serve: Advancing Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective Public Service,” the CSC celebrated its 110th

Anniversary this whole month of September anchored on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s call for reform and on his pledge to implement change in government and on the clamor for increased transparency and accountability. ■

The PVAO Running Team happily show off their cer-tificates after completing the 3K and 5K R.A.C.E.

PVAO Chorale Wins at the CSC Government Chorale Competition PVAO Employees Participate in Other CSC 110th Anniversary Activities

PVAO Chorale Conductor Anthoni Trinidad, Jr. accepts the plaque for PVAO Chorale.

BOOKS PUBLISHED BY PVAO

The War in Korea

by BGen. Victorino T. Azada (Ret.)

The Filipinos’ love for freedom and democracy knows no boundaries. Here is an historical account of the first Philippine military troops sent abroad, which helped save South Korea from the communist North Korea and China.

It has always been the primary advocacy of PVAO to propagate and make known the heroic deeds of our veterans. Below are some of the publications under-taken by PVAO:

The Veteran is Worth Caring For

by Col. Vic S. Santos, Jr. (Ret.) We continue to be Filipinos because they gave our nation’s sovereignty a good fight against foreign invaders. Learn and appreciate the remark-able deeds of our veterans and consequently develop a greater sense of national pride. Also contains programs and services for the veter-ans, including that of PVAO.

Documents

Pvao bulletin september 2011 issue