ABOUT THE COVER Finally, my friends, the patriotism that fired you to stick to your posts against overwhelming “odds in war should be the self-same patriotism that should now spur you to work and contribute to the prosperity of all. The role may be less epic, but I assure you it will require as much if not greater fortitude and courage.” The Official News Magazine of the - Former President Carlos P. Garcia Philippine Veterans Affairs Office addressing the veterans in his closing statement during the First National Convention of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, 15 March 1958 Advisory Board LtGen. Ernesto G. Carolina, AFP (Ret) IN WAR, it is said that the finest hours of a person’s life happen when they Administrator knowingly approach death. When one’s life is in jeopardy, instincts heighten and emotions run wild. Either fear grips the best of us, or we stand our ground and fight. MGen. Raul Z. Caballes, AFP (Ret) Deputy Administrator Our history is etched with the valiant feats of heroes who fought hundreds of years of oppression and colonization. Come to think of it, we have not Contributors truly experienced a century of peace, given the outbreak of World War II Atty. Rolando D. Villaflor being the most recent. Dr. Pilar D. Ibarra But what happens to a soldier, or rather, a veteran, when the war ends? What MGen. Alfredo S. Cayton, Jr., AFP (Ret) happens to the burning passion of patriotism bottled inside when the cause BGen. Restituto L. Aguilar, AFP (Ret) PRRD Signs Law Raising has already been won? This was what former President Carlos P. Garcia aimed to address during his speech before the First National Convention of Col. Agerico G. Amagna III, PAF (Ret) the Veterans Federation of the Philippines. Liza T. Dela Cruz A role less epic should still remain as a role to be fulfilled with the same volition Diane Joyce D. Querimit Senior Veterans’ Pension as that of the circumstances under battle. The war may have ended for our Ferdinand C. Palor [ SIMEON CALEB L. GASILAO ] veterans but they remain as pillars propagating heroism and love for country. PHOTO COURTESY OF KING RODRIGUEZ, PPD MALACAÑANG Their war stories and oral accounts inspire us to be movers and responsible Raquel A. Cajuguiran citizens of this nation. With this, we hope that we will never ever forget. Melinda I. Luna he Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the veterans have achieved yet another victory as President What a triumphant year 2018 has indeed been for the veterans. Many changes Mariciel E. Estacio, MNSA Rodrigo Roa Duterte officially signed Republic Act No. 11164 increasing the Old Age Pension of our Senior have taken place, culminating with President Duterte’s approval of Republic Engr. Diomedes C. Palor TVeterans from Php 5,000 to Php 20,000 on 20 December 2018. Act 11164 which increases the current Old Age Pension of senior veterans to Php 20,000 from Php 5,000. This increase is the result of the combined Engr. Valerico C. Lim III, MNSA R.A. 11164 or “An Act Increasing the Monthly Old-Age Pension of Senior Veterans” will benefit World War II, Korean War, and efforts of the Congress, various veterans organizations through the Veterans Vietnam War veterans. However, for Korean and Vietnam war veterans, the increase applies only to those who are not currently Federation of the Philippines (VFP), and DND-PVAO to upgrade the benefits receiving any form of pension from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The pension is exclusive only to the senior living of the senior veterans, who are unfortunately, dwindling by the numbers PVAO Public Affairs Office veterans and is non-transferrable to any family member or dependent. due to their advance age. Office of the Administrator Prior to PRRD’s approval, the Senate ratified and passed Senate Bill No. 1766, on its second and third reading on 04 and 08 Following the recent U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (U.S. CGM) Awarding Landline: October 2018, respectively. The current R.A. 6948 which was passed in 1990, and was amended by R.A. 7696 in 1994, only Ceremony as featured in the previous PVAO bulletin issue, a handful of 02-9124526 / 02-9124728 provides veterans an Old Age Pension amounting to Php 5,000. The Php 5,000 annuity is deemed insufficient to meet the events have also been replicated in the country, particularly in Baguio, veterans’ basic needs and medical requirements. Pangasinan, and Mindanao. A total of seventy-nine (79) WWII veterans were Website: conferred the U.S. CGM, which is indeed a source of great national pride. http://www.pvao.gov.ph The increase in Old Age Pension is projected to require a funding of Php 1.18 billion for FY 2019 and PhP 924.24 million for FY The pages of our country’s history turned as well, last 11 December, with the 2020. This fund requirement is expected to diminish in the succeeding years. return of the Balangiga Bells, 117 years after the Philippine-American war. Email: More than remnants of the vicious past, the return of the Balangiga Bells by [email protected] It can be recalled as well that Rep. Geraldine B. Roman, initiated House Bill No. 270 (HBN 270) or “An Act Increasing the the Americans was a gesture of goodwill and friendship which was evident Monthly Pension of Senior Veterans Thereby Amending R.A. 6948, As Amended” on 30 June 2016. The House Committee on during WWII and will continue to be strengthened in the years to come. Facebook: Appropriations eventually approved the budget required for HBN 270 last 21 March 2018. The House Committee on Veterans Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Affairs and Welfare Chairperson, Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil adopted and supported HBN 270 urging for its final approval by the Today, we breathe the air of freedom without limitations, all thanks to the House of Representatives. sacrifices our forefathers made to defend the freedom and democracy of Tune in to “VETERANS HOUR” radio program, this nation. In response, may we as a people who today sow the seeds of 1-2 PM every Tuesday and Thursday at Katropa PVAO Administrator Ernesto G. Carolina articulated the urgency to pass the bill into law given the current situation of our living liberty, never forget the price this freedom was paid for. It was after all, our DWDD 1134 kHz-AM or watch the real-time veterans who are now in their twilight years. As of June 2018, there are only about 6,074 living senior veterans. This figure will livestreaming at www.facebook.com/dwdd1134 veterans’ own sweat, blood, and tears that liberated this country and our imminently decline over the years. people. Let us all show our gratitude as we honor thy veterans. Further updates on the implementation guidelines of R.A. 11164 are yet to be released by the Department of Budget and PVAO Public Affairs Team SERBISYO SA BETERANO Management. 2 VOLUME 11 I ISSUE 4 SERBISYO SA BAYAN DECEMBER 2018 3 SND Keynotes 77th VFP Supreme Council Meeting [ BEATRIZ ISABELA G. GRIMALDO ] he Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) held its 77th Supreme Council Meeting on 24-25 November 2018 at Tthe ICON Hotel, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) along with the participation of the Department of National Defense (DND), supported the two- day event. The first leg of the assembly began with the opening ceremony led by Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, who was the Guest of Honor and speaker. In his message, he expressed his utmost confidence to the new VFP leadership under WWII veteran Justice Manuel R. Pamaran. Sec. Lorenzana reiterated the reforms needed within the Federation to fully function as an umbrella organization by the veterans, for the veterans. As to the matters discussed for the remainder of the assembly, the following initiatives were cited: (1) The transfer of VFP pensioners’ accounts from Veterans and Cavaliers Join the Philippine Veterans Bank to the Development Bank of the Philippines which coincided with other benefits and assistance to be received with the approval of the Federation; and (2) The increase in the Hospitalization PRRD in Thanksgiving Dinner Assistance Benefit of VFP members from P3,000 to P10,000 effective January 2019, as per directive of the VFP Executive Board. [ SIMEON CALEB L. GASILAO ] Before the assembly proper, the VFP Executive Board held a meeting last eterans and leaders of the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) in the government joined President 23 November which was graced by Usec. Carolina. The highlights of the VRodrigo Roa Duterte in a Thanksgiving Dinner at the Malacañang Palace on 05 October 2018. previous meeting focused on: the approval of the previous meeting held last October 12, 2018; Financial report update on Veterans Center – Taguig Initiated by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association True to his word and evident by his actions, President Duterte, City; Report of the President for Operations; and Proposed Resolutions for (PMAAA), the occasion was meant to convey to the President and assured to look out for the veterans and retired military personnel Discussion and Approval. Commander-in-Chief the collective gratitude of the AFP, PNP, and by creating laws that champion their welfare. These established other MUP for the series of salary increases and other benefits benefits are expected to increase over the following years. Given In cooperation with DND and PVAO, as an organization created under enacted into law throughout the year. the changing times and economy, it is rather fitting to upgrade the Republic Act 2640, the VFP remains with its mission and vision to the benefits of our veterans and retired MUPs, who have and are unify and render utmost care to the Filipino veterans community.