Philippine Veterans Affairs Office - PVAO Official...
Transcript of Philippine Veterans Affairs Office - PVAO Official...
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office
OCTOBER 2016
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FOREWORD
The Dambana ng Kagitingan in Bataan is the site of many epic battles during
World War II, which demonstrated the bravery, grit and determination of
Filipino veterans. Despite inferior manpower, weaponry and logistics, our
veterans continued fighting and succeeded in delaying the invasion with
serious strategic consequences on the Japanese war plans. What drove these
brave men to defy such odds? What made them forget their own self and
become unmindful of the risks of death?
As aptly put by the late war veteran Captain Salvador P. Lopez, it was, “a force that was more than merely
physical. It was the force of an unconquerable faith—something in the heart and soul that physical hardship and
adversity could not destroy! It was the thought of native land and all that it holds most dear, the thought of
freedom and dignity and pride.”
I believe this is kagitingan. It is more than valor and bravery in war, but it is something rooted in three words:
Love for country or “Pagmamahal sa Bayan”.
Today however, more than seventy years after World War II, kagitingan has seemingly waned or got lost in the
complexities of the present environment. This can be gleaned from the present decrepit status of some of our
shrines, the people’s lack of interest in historical commemorative events and the low priority given to Philippine
history in our academic curriculum. If public servants truly love their country, they will not steal from
government coffers. A community that has love for country will not pollute rivers and waterways. An individual
who loves his country will not peddle drugs which destroys the moral fabric of our society. Our youth’s low
enrolment in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Program likewise indicates an erosion in the instilling of
patriotism among them—our future defenders.
This sentiment is passionately shared by President Rodrigo Duterete who in his inaugural speech highlighted the
need to recover and revitalize the lost and faded values of “love of country, subordination of personal interest to
the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished.”
We are convinced that PVAO is in an ideal position to rekindle Kagitingan. PVAO’s mandate, and the mission it has
to accomplish, has a lot to do with building and nurturing kagitingan among our citizenry.
Thus, with the help of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), we developed the Kagitingan Roadmap 2022 as a
guide for the journey towards rekindling kagitingan through the performance of PVAO’s twin mandates:
empowering veterans and motivating our country’s future defenders. Working on the successes of our early
reform programs and adopting the principles of the Balance Scorecard System as adapted through ISA’s
Performance Governance System; PVAO has identified where we need to go; what we need to do; the resources
we need and how to measure our successes.
PVAO is ready to lead the way to kagitingan and bring it back to its deserved place in our nation’s value system.
But this is not a journey that PVAO will make on its own. It is a journey where the Filipino people are not merely
passive passengers but rather active participants in bringing about change. Let me therefore invite you and your
organization to join us, the veterans, veterans’ organizations, other government agencies, local government
units, communities, the academe, media organizations, businesses and the youth as we embark on this important
journey to rediscover kagitingan
LTGEN ERNESTO G CAROLINA AFP (RET)
Administrator
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CONTENTS
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. ii
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... iii
I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 4
II. Philippine Veterans Affairs Office ...................................................................................................... 5
Organization ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Mandate and Mission ........................................................................................................................ 5
Who We Serve ................................................................................................................................... 6
Our Services ....................................................................................................................................... 6
III. The Fading of Kagitingan ................................................................................................................... 7
Current realities ................................................................................................................................. 7
IV. Rekindling Kagitingan......................................................................................................................... 8
Early Reform Initiatives ...................................................................................................................... 8
Strategic Change Agenda ................................................................................................................... 9
Performance Governance System ..................................................................................................... 9
Strategy Map ...................................................................................................................................11
Breakthrough Goals .........................................................................................................................11
Strategic Objectives .........................................................................................................................12
Governance Scorecard ....................................................................................................................13
Strategic Initiatives ..........................................................................................................................16
Project Management Teams............................................................................................................17
V. Involving the Community – Multi-Sector Governance Council ........................................................17
Selection Process .............................................................................................................................17
Functions .........................................................................................................................................18
Investing in Kagitingan .....................................................................................................................18
VI. Early Gains .......................................................................................................................................19
Early Tangible and Intangible Benefits .............................................................................................19
VII. Concluding Statement .....................................................................................................................19
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Strategic Change Agenda ............................................................................................................. 9
Table 2 PVAO Governance Scorecard .....................................................................................................13
Table 3 Status of VFP Charter Organizations ..........................................................................................14
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Table 4 Kagitingan Initiatives funded in the 2016 Budget ......................................................................18
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Informal Settlers occupying the Libingan ng Mga Bayani ........................................................... 8
Figure 2PGS Governance Pathway .........................................................................................................10
Figure 3 PMT Reforms in Veterans Benefits Management System comprising of the Chiefs of the
Claims, Finance, Veterans Records Management and Management Information Divsions present the
Project execution Plan to the Chairman of PVAO SMB ...........................................................................17
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I. INTRODUCTION
The Kagitingan Roadmap 2022 (KR22) was initially developed as the
strategic plan of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. However, in
the course of the review of its mandate and the state of veterans’
affairs, we realized that PVAO has an opportunity, nay the
responsibility and mandate to lead the Philippines to a path back to
the ideals of Kagitingan which the defenders of this country
exemplified.
The KR22 is anchored on the premise that to rekindle the Kagitingan
demonstrated by our WWII veterans, we as a nation need to do two
things: 1) reconnect with our glorious historical past by remembering
and celebrating the heroism of our veterans; and 2) empower the
veterans by looking after their well-being and help them as a sector
become a respected and important voice in national affairs.
Accordingly, the KR22 involves 16 Strategic Objectives and eight (8)
projects to deliver two (2) Strategic Outcomes: 1) Empowered
Veterans; and 2) Motivated Future Defenders.
This handout is an invitation to join PVAO in its Kagitingan journey
and also to invest in this nation’s future.
Being an invitation, Chapter II explains what PVAO is and why it
should lead this journey. This handout also describes where we are
coming from, the metaphorical starting point of our journey, in
Chapter III; and, our destination in Chapter IV, including the
waypoints and milestones we have to pass during the journey.
Chapter V discusses the experts who will join us and help us navigate
our way, while Chapter VI describes where we are now and the
progress we have made so far.
As an investment plan, the KR22 identifies the resources we as a
nation need to put into the care of our veterans and the celebration
of their heroism. The dividends from which are motivated and
inspired future defenders and a nation which loves its country.
“Bataan has fallen. The Philippine-
American troops on this war-ravaged and
bloodstained peninsula have laid down
their arms. With heads bloody but
unbowed, they have yielded to the
superior force and numbers of the enemy.
The world will long remember the epic
struggle that Filipino and American
soldiers put up in the jungle fastness and
along the rugged coast of Bataan. They
have stood up uncomplaining under the
constant and grueling fire of the enemy
for more than three months. Besieged on
land and blockaded by sea, cut off from
all sources of help in the Philippines and in
America, the intrepid fighters have done
all that human endurance could bear.
Excerpt from the radio broadcast
message, as written by Captain Salvador
P. Lopez, delivered by Third Lieutenant
Normando Ildefonso “Norman” Reyes on
the “Voice of Freedom” radio broadcast
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II. PHILIPPINE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE
ORGANIZATION
The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) is a bureau under
the Department of National Defense (DND) that serves as a
channel of the nation’s gratitude to its defenders – the Filipino
veterans.
PVAO is a 400 –strong service organization with its Central
Office in Quezon City, and 25 Field Service Extension Offices and
eight (8) Shrine Units nationwide.
Following the approval of the PVAO Rationalization Plan in 2010,
PVAO was constrained to adopt a horizontal (or flat) structure
with few or no levels of middle management between staff and
executives. All directorship positions were abolished leaving
only two executive level positions (the Administrator and
Deputy Administrator), to oversee nine (9) divisions all located in
the Central Office.
The following five (5) divisions are considered core units:
1. The Veterans Memorial and Historical Division which is in
charge of propagating veterans’ heroism
2. Veterans Affairs Management Division which oversees and
provides technical assistance to veterans organizations.
In addition, there are three divisions in charge of providing care
and benefits to veterans, namely the:
3. Claims Division for the adjudication of benefits
4. Financial Management Division - which is in charge of benefits
delivery; and,
5. Veterans Records Management Division - which spearheads
the monitoring of the pensioner and ensuring the of the reliability
of the pension list.
MANDATE AND M ISS ION
PVAO derives its mandate from the 1987 Constitution which
provides that:
“The State shall 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 therefor
and due consideration shall be given them in the
disposition of agricultural lands of the public domain
MISSION:
To ensure the welfare and wellbeing of
the veterans and perpetuate the memory
of their heroic deeds
VISION:
A Strong and Unified Filipino Veterans
Community serving as a Reliable Partner in
Nation-Building
CORE VALUES
Patriotism - manifestation of love for
country through societal contributions
Integrity – wholeness of character and
steadfast principles
Professionalism – commitment for work
and its developmental impact
Solidarity –cohesiveness of collective
action towards one vision
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and, in appropriate cases, in the utilization of natural resources.” - Section 7, Article XVI
and
“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in
the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic
affairs.” - Section 13, Article II
Both mandates are inextricably linked to national security: how the State takes care of the veterans
and propagate their heroic deeds impact on the motivation of the citizens, especially the youth - the
nation’s future defenders.
WHO WE SERVE
Republic Act No. 6948, as amended, defines a veteran as any person who rendered military service in
the land, sea or air forces of the Philippines during the revolution against Spain, the Philippine-
American War, World War II, including Filipino citizens who served in Allied Forces in the Philippine
territory and foreign nationals who served in Philippine forces, the Korean Campaign, the Vietnam
Campaign, the Anti-Dissidence Campaign, or other wars and military campaigns.
The law also recognizes as veterans those who rendered military service in the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) and have been honorably discharged or separated within the prescribed length of
service, or sooner separated due to death or disability arising from a wound or injury received or
sickness or disease incurred in line of duty while in the active service.
OUR SERVICES
To perform its two-pronged mandate PVAO provides the following services to veterans, their loved
ones and the general public:
1. Veterans Welfare and Benefits Administration. PVAO administers a portfolio of pension and
non-pension benefits for veterans and their qualified dependents as provided in Republic Act
6948, as amended. Non pension benefits include a P20,000 burial assistance to help defray
the cost of funeral services for the veteran; educational benefits for the WWII, PEFTOK and
PHILCAG veteran for one direct descendant presently amounting to P36,000 per academic
school year; free medical care at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center; P1,500 subsidy per
day of confinement at any PVAO accredited hospital for a maximum of 45 days; and, subsidies
for selected medical procedures.
2. Veterans Affairs Management which seeks to empower veterans’ organizations by providing
technical and other forms of assistance.
3. Veterans Memorial and Historical Preservation and Propagation through the development
and maintenance of shrines at a standard befitting a physical reminder of our veterans’
heroism; celebration of veteran-related events as display of the country’s appreciation and
gratitude to its defenders; and, publication of books and production of other multimedia
materials to ensure that the veterans heroism is never forgotten.
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III. THE FADING OF KAGITINGAN
In 2006, PVAO underwent an Integrity Development Review (IDR) conducted by the Office of the
Ombudsman (OMB) in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the
Commission on Audit (COA). This allowed a third party evaluation of the strength and vulnerabilities
of PVAO and eventually paved the way for PVAO to closely review how it has been performing its
Constitutional Mandate by looking at the current state of veterans affairs.
CURRENT REALITIES
Inadequate Veterans Benefits
The current rate of veterans benefits is prescribed in Republic Act No. 6948 of 1990 as amended by
Republic Act No. 7696 of 1994 over the last 20 years is only P5,000. This may be considered modicum
for the daily subsistence of the veterans in 1994, but is grossly inadequate today amidst constantly
rising prices and their growing needs, given their advance age and deteriorating health.
The Total Disability Pension of P1,700 is grossly inadequate to support daily living requirements of a
veteran who sustained a service-connected disability, sickness or injury and has totally lost his
capacity to be gainfully employed.
Burial assistance has only been recently increased to P20,000 when the Government Service Insurance
System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) have long been providing the same amount to their
members since 2000.
Delayed Payment of Arrearages
The government used to owe P25.3 Billion (as of Dec 2008, down to P17B as of Dec 2015) in unpaid
pension benefits to veterans and their loved ones which has accumulated and remained
unappropriated before 2010. While the government has started to pay the veterans pension benefits
and is in the process of partially paying the pension arrearages, allowing pension obligations to be
unpaid for more than a decade has resulted in making the veterans felt that they are neglected and
uncared for by the government.
Inaccessible Healthcare
This perception is exacerbated by the fact that there is only one veterans hospital, the Veterans
Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, which is conveniently accessible only to 24% of eligible
beneficiaries. The larger segment of veterans who are in the provinces and regions have to pay for
their own medicines and have little access to free outpatient care.
Veterans’ Affairs
The government knows that it cannot provide everything that the veterans need. To augment
veterans’ pension benefits, the government provided valuable properties and assets, supposedly for
veterans’ use, as well as corporate instruments and opportunities to enable them to generate
additional income. However, veterans have not been properly assisted and capacitated to manage
these properties and assets resulting in a long track record of poor corporate governance, which in
turn has led to factionalism within the Federation.
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Under this environment the issue of veterans affairs was reduced to a mere economic concern,
overshadowing what the veterans really stood for --- as living models of patriotism, allegiance to the
flag, selfless service and supreme sacrifice.
Current State of National Shrines
Informal settlers occupy 15 hectares of the Libingan ng mga
Bayani (LNMB), and they have sought protection from local
government executives. The LNMB is desecrated by visitors
who are not conscious about its status as a national park,
military shrine and the final resting ground of the country’s
heroes, patriots and martyrs.
Dwindling Interest in Commemorative Events
Proclamation No. 653, s. 1993 directs the LGUs to commemorate
annually the anniversaries of significant events related to the liberation of the Philippines during
World War II. Only 13 out of 43 significant events mandated are still being observed. The
commemoration has been devolved to the local governments who have not taken ownership of the
event.
Diminishing Appreciation for Reminders of Historic Past
There is a dearth of information and materials about our great historic past. Many untold stories of
heroism have not been written and are in danger of being lost in the national
IV. REKINDLING KAGITINGAN
EARLY REFORM INITIATIVES
Confronted with these realities and recognizing that PVAO plays a vital role in rekindling the ideals of
Kagitingan, PVAO started to transform from an organization fixated on the administration of pension
benefits to one that is capacitated to serve as the catalyst in the building of Kagitingan.
PVAO took advantage of the government-wide Rationalization Plan to shift from a benefits-based to a
functions-based structure which included the upgrading of the Military Shrines Service into the
Veterans Historical And Memorial Division and the creation of a Veterans Affairs Management Division
which is a dedicated unit to supervise veterans affairs.
It also entailed investment in Human Capital through the PVAO Human Resource Development
Program and the development of the Code of Conduct. PVAO also embarked in the development of
the most important asset of any organization – its human resource— through a Moral Renewal
Program and upgraded the technical skills of its people through training and exposure to best
practices.
Realizing that it has to perform as it transforms, PVAO raised operational efficiency by creating a
cohesive team and worked to improve and streamline processes. The Agency is now on its fourth year
of ISO Certification.
In the process of undertaking these reforms, we identified several areas where we need to focus, and
the changes that we need to effect.
Figure 1 Informal Settlers occupying the Libingan ng Mga Bayani
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STRATEGIC CHANGE AGENDA
Table 1 Strategic Change Agenda
FROM TO
Provide pension and benefits Role of PVAO Ensure veterans’ overall welfare
and wellbeing
Static symbols of heroism
Shrines and Memorials
Instruments that instill national pride and patriotism
Provides story (historical perspective)
Combines story and scenery
Dependent client Veteran Empowered partner
Focused on a limited few Commemorative Events
Pervasive
National government-led Community-based involvement
Underutilized Veterans’ Assets/Properties
Optimized
Benefitting a select few Benefits equitably shared
Disproportionate Pension and Benefits Structure
Rationalized
Token assistance Impacts on welfare and wellbeing
Factionalized and marginalized Veterans Organization United and empowered
Rekindling kagitingan involves a series of interrelated strategic changes in the role of PVAO, the
services we provide and eventually to the clients we serve – the veterans.
In accordance with our mandate, PVAO needs to go beyond from being merely a pension and benefits
provider but an agency tasked to ensure the welfare and well-being of our veterans. By extension, the
benefits and services provided to our veterans must be rationalized and upgraded so that these
generate a positive impact on the welfare and well-being of the veteran and qualified dependents. For
instance, the current disability pension rate of P1,000 per month will hardly be appreciated by veteran
who lost the capacity to be gainfully employed due to his or her disability.
Military shrines and memorials, such as the Libingan ng mga Bayani and the Dambana ng Kagitingan
in Mt. Samat should not be merely physical reminders of the veterans heroism and their story, but
should also be able to inspire nationalism.
Communities must take pride and ownership of their local histories particularly World War II events
where their forefathers displayed how it is to love ones’ country.
There is also a need to strengthen the Filipino veterans into a united community, whose collective
wisdom is respected as a valuable resource in influencing national issues.
Hopefully, the convergence of these strategic changes will result in empowered veterans, who are no
longer dependent on the state for his/her care but is partner in nation-building by continuing to be the
well-spring of kagitingan.
PERFORMANCE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM
Not wanting to lose the momentum of our earlier reform initiatives PVAO realized the need for a
blueprint to sustain the long term success of its current programs and pursue the desired strategic
change, which will endure changes in leadership. Given these considerations, PVAO decided to adopt
the Performance Governance System (PGS) and design the blueprint for reform – the Kagitingan
Roadmap 2022.
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The PGS is the local adaptation of the Balance Scorecard system of strategic planning and
management that is widely used in business, industry, public, and nonprofit organizations worldwide.
This is administered locally for public sector organizations by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA)
Central to the PGS is the Governance Pathway, which determines an agency’s level of adoption of the
PGS in four-stages. From the 1st Stage or Initiation, where an organization is deemed to have a
strategy map and scorecard to pursue its vision to the 4th and last stage or Institutionalization, where
organizations have aligned their organizations to strategy and proven its ability to sustain the PGS.
Last 20 October 2015, PVAO was deemed as having successfully passed the Compliance Pathway, by
proving that it already has the structure to and mechanisms in place to cascade its strategy to lower
level units.
Figure 2PGS Governance Pathway
Initiation
•Institutions must lay the foundations of governance, creating and committing to a transformation roadmap, governance scorecard, and portfolio of strategic initiatives. They must present these together with their core values, mission, and vision.
Compliance
•Institutions must bring the strategy down to lower-level units and allocate financial resources to strategic initiatives. They must create an Office for Strategy Management (OSM), Multi-sector Governance Council (MSGC), and a Communication Plan for the transformation program.
Proficiency
•Institutions must be able to show that previously installed governance mechanisms are able to function toward producing emerging breakthrough results. It is critical for the OSM to drive the transformation program at this point and to provide the leadership team with guidance in decision-making.
Institutionalization
•Institutions must be able to align every effort toward transformation and better delivery of public service. They must be guided by a strong culture of governance, supported by sustainable mechanisms that can enable continuous breakthroughs and outreach to other institutions that are in need of transformation.
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STRATEGY MAP
The PVAO Kagitingan Roadmap 2022 in perspective tells a story of past and future strategy. PVAO
envisions to empower veterans and to motivate future defenders following the ideals of Kagitingan.
PVAO’s roadmap shall encompass all Kagitingan stakeholders because love of country is believed to be
present but embedded in every Filipino’s consciousness. Hence, the Kagitingan Roadmap 2022
articulates two themes: Empowered Veterans and Motivated Future Defenders. The road to the
breakthroughs follows the Balanced Scorecard perspective of constituents, core processes, learning
and growth, and finance. The PVAO Kagitingan Roadmap 2022 treads along two destinations in one
route.
BREAKTHROUGH GOALS
The success of the KR22 will be measured in terms of meeting its breakthrough goals – outcomes,
which directly impact on PVAO’s constituency – the veterans and the general public.
PVAO’s first breakthrough goal is the reduction of the number of indigent veterans from 16,100 to 0
by 2022. We found out that almost 90% of WWII veterans are entirely dependent on the P5,000 old
age pension and P1,700 administrative disability pension or TAD from PVAO.
Another group of veterans are the disability pensioners. These are soldiers who were injured or fell
sick while serving and as a result lost their capacity to be gainfully employed. As earlier mentioned,
they receive a monthly TAD of P1,700 only.
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PVAO selected the breakthrough of making sure that there will be no indigent veteran by 2022
because in the eyes of the people especially the youth, even a single indigent veteran, sends a wrong
message on how the nation takes care of its defenders.
PVAO’s second breakthrough goal is to increase the number of Kagitingan builders from 21 to 73 by
2022. Kagitingan builders refer to the initiatives that promote kagitingan among the citizens. These
are the development of shrines, participation in commemorative events, production of historical
accounts and other reminders of our nation’s great historic past.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Supporting the achievement of the breakthrough goals are eight strategic objectives addressing the
improvements in core process, organizational capacity building and managing financial resources.
Unify the veterans under an empowered and credible Federation
PVAO endeavors to unify all veterans under an empowered and credible umbrella organization—the
Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP). To do this, PVAO strengthens the Federation by helping
the eleven disenfranchised original charter members to rejoin the VFP. PVAO also intends to bring
new blood into the Federation by facilitating the affiliation of fraternal and regional veterans
organizations. So far, nine non-chartered organizations have been affiliated with the VFP. PVAO hopes
to bring the number of new member organizations to 23 by 2019.
Pursue Legislation to reform the pension system and improve veterans benefits
Supporting legislative agenda on improving social benefits such as increase in pension and expansion
in health, burial, and, other benefits leads to reduction of veterans’ indigency. PVAO takes the
responsibility of helping veterans articulate their needs, concerns, and aspirations before the
Philippine Congress so that these maybe translated into pieces of legislation that will improve their
welfare.
Improve management of veterans pension and benefits
Apart from rationalizing and upgrading veterans pensions and benefits, PVAO will also endeavor to
improve how it manages the government funds ensuring that only those are truly deserving enjoy the
benefits due to veterans and their qualified dependents. Aside from legislation and a review of
systems and procedures, PVAO will be automating the following five key processes critical to the
management of veterans benefits:
1. Retrieval and management of veterans records; 2. Processing of application for benefits; 3. Payment of veterans benefits and the recording thereof; 4. Bank reconciliation, and; 5. Monitoring of the status of pensioners.
Forge strong partnerships with LGUs, national agencies, academe and private sector
The process of collaboration shall achieve this objective. Partnerships with the local and national
government agencies, civil society movers in the academe, veterans organizations, profit and non-
profit organizations shall bring together a community around the shrines to initiate celebratory events.
The same multi-partite linkages shall be tapped to pursue adequate research for documenting
historical accounts.
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Motivating our future defenders by giving them important roles in commemorating historical events
shall drive local government units to lead in reliving kagitingan. Motivating our future defenders by
feeding their minds with accurate stories of kagitingan shall provide them tangible manifestations of
love of country that is worth-emulating.
Enhance competence in organizational development, supervision of corporate affairs and project management
PVAO has two strategic objectives under learning and growth: enhance competence in organizational
development and in supervision of corporate affairs to better shepherd and guide veterans
organizations. Project management competence is also needed to effectively execute the
development of shrines and other similar projects under the Kagitingan Roadmap.
Enhance competence in strategic communication
PVAO has to enhance its competence in strategic communication, which will be a major driver in the
forging of partnerships and in generating support for the Kagitingan Roadmap. The acquisition of these
competencies will be included in the PVAO Education and Training Program and will be a priority
consideration in the second tranche of the PVAO Reorganization Plan.
Maximize the revenue potential of real estate properties and other assets for the benefit of veterans
Under finance, PVAO seeks to optimize the revenue potential of properties and other assets made
available for the benefit of veterans. To achieve this, PVAO will facilitate the formulation of viable
development plans, and initiate pertinent legislative actions for the aforementioned purpose. By 2022,
PVAO hopes to have fully accounted all assets and properties for veterans’ use and ensure that the
maximum benefits derived will redound to the welfare of all veterans.
Institutionalize strategy driven budget system
PVAO shall also institutionalize a strategy driven budget system by establishing an office of strategy
management and incorporating in the agency budget the funding support requirements for the
Kagitingan Roadmap.
GOVERNANCE SCORECARD
Table 2 PVAO Governance Scorecard Perspectiv
e
Strategic Outcomes / Objectives
Measure 2014
BL
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
actual target
CO
NST
ITU
ENTS
Reduce the number of indigent veterans
# of indigent veterans
16,100 13,800 4,500 0
Increase the Number of Kagitingan Builders
# of Kagitingan builders
21/73 23/73 30/73 35/73 40/73 48/73 57/73 66/73 73/73
CO
RE
PR
OC
ESS Unify the veterans
under an empowered and credible federation
# of charter organizations restored with VFP
5/16 9/16 11/16 14/16 15/16 16/16 16/16
# of post-war veteran organizations affiliated with VFP
9/23 10/16 12/23 18/23 20/23 22/23 23/23
Pursue legislation to reform the pension
Legislative milestones
Law increasing the
pension of WWII veterans Law increasing death and
disability pensions
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Perspectiv
e
Strategic Outcomes / Objectives
Measure 2014
BL
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
actual target
system and augment veteran benefits
Improve
management of
veterans pension
and benefits
# of critical
processes
automated
1/5 1/5 1/5 2/5 3/5 4/5 5/5
Forge partnerships with LGUs, national agencies, academe and private sector
# of commemorations with interagency organizing committees
13/43 17/43 15/43 20/43 23/43 26/43 30/43 35/43 40/43 43/43
# of books, journal articles, publications and multi-media materials
7/20 7/20 7/20 9/20 11/20 13/20 15/20 17/20 19/20 20/20
# of MDPs implemented
1/10 1/10 1/10 1/10 1/10 1/10 3/10 5/10 7/10 10/10
LEA
RN
ING
& G
RO
WTH
Enhance competence in org dev, supervision of corp affairs and proj mgt
# of strategic units with full personnel complement and competencies
N/A
3/12 6/12 9/12 12/12
Enhance competence in strategic communication
FIN
AN
CE
Maximize the revenue potential of real estate properties earmarked to benefit veterans
# of properties with lease rates that follow fair market value
1/45 1/45 3/45 6/45 10/45 15/45 20/45 27/45 37/45 45/45
Institutionalize strategy driven budget system
# of strategic initiatives / projects implemented
N/A 4/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6
To track PVAO’s progress in implementing the Kagitingan Roadmap, a Scorecard was developed with
annual targets for each strategic objective. The left column shows the list of strategic outcomes and
objectives. The middle column shows the measures of performance by which we gauge our objectives
and outcomes. And on the right are the defined targets against which variances performed will be
monitored.
PVAO has already made headways on the following measures:
Charter Organizations Restored with the VFP
PVAO was able to increase the number of chartered organizations who are active members of the VFP
from five to nine by facilitating the reaccreditation of the following veterans organizations:
Table 3 Status of VFP Charter Organizations
Chartered Organization Status
1. Hunters ROTC Active
2. Philippine Veterans Legion (PVL) Active
3. PEFTOK Veterans Association (PEFTOK) Active
4. AFP Retired Veterans Association (AFPREVA) Active
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5. USAFIP-North Luzon (USAFIP-NL) Active
6. Fil-American Irregular Troops, Inc. (FAIT) Restored 2014
7. Philippine Association of War Widows, Parents and Orphans (PAWWPO)
Restored 2014
8. Gold Star Mothers and United Widows and Orphans Association of the Philippines, Inc.
Restored 2015
9. Confederation of Filipino Veterans Restored 2015
10. Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc. for restoration of VFP membership 11. ECLGA Veterans Association
12. Magsaysay Veterans Legion
13. Philippine National Guard Veterans Legion
14. Philippine Naval Veterans Legion
15. Filipino Disabled Veterans Association
16. United Disabled Veterans Association of the Philippines
17. Associacion de los Veteranos de la Revolucion
Post-War Veteran Organizations Affiliated with VFP
PVAO also facilitated the accreditation of the following organizations as VFP Affiliate organizations:
1. Kampilan Peacekeepers Association, Inc 2. The Last Watering Hole Association 3. Fraternal Organization of ROTC, Reservists and Veterans (FORVETS) 4. Cavaliers Association of Veterans 5. 6th MD WWII Veterans Association 6. Queens Row Veterans Organization 7. Cavaliers 57 and Associates 8. Sixty-Six Veterans and Associates 9. Cebu Area Command Veterans Association 10. Philippine Association of Soldiers’ Widows Parents and Orphans, Inc. (PASWPO) 11. Cebu AFP Retired Veterans Association
In addition, PVAO continues to work for the accreditation of the following organizations:
1. Retired Enlisted Personnel Association of Capas, Tarlac 2. AFP Retirees and Legal Beneficiaries Association, Inc. 3. United Nations Veterans Association of the Philippines 4. Association of Retired Military Officers/Personnel for Unity and Reform Philippines, Inc (ARMOUR) 5. Corps 70 Management, Inc 6. Eastern Rizal AFP Retirees and Pensioners Association 7. Wa Chi 48th Squadron Veterans Legion, Inc. 8. AFP Enlisted Personnel Retirees Association in Mindanao, Inc. 9. Philippine Civic Action Group Vietnam 10. Aksyon Beterano, Inc. 11. Retired-Reservist Association National and Global Emergency Response, Inc 12. World War II Legionnaires of the Philippines, Inc. 13. PMA First Four, Inc. 14. Sialng AFP Retirees Association, Inc. 15. Post World War II Veterans Association
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Commemorations with Interagency Organizing Committees
Three more local government units took ownership and celebrated the following World War II events,
which were included in under Presidential Proclamation No. 653
1. Retaking of Nichols Air Field and Fort William McKinley, Rizal 2. Liberation of Los Baños, Laguna 3. Landing in Puerto Princesa, Palawan 4. Liberation of Lipa City
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
To help PVAO achieve its commitment in its scorecard, seven initiatives or projects:
Project Unitas aims to unify the Filipino Veterans Community by encouraging veterans to organize themselves and unify these organizations into a truly empowered and credible federation
Legislation to rationalize the pension system and upgrade veteran benefits is part of the initiative to rationalize and upgrade veterans benefits PVAO will pursue legislation to increase veterans benefits. The effort will include shoring support not only from legislators, but also from other branches of government, the academe, media and the general public.
Reform Veterans Benefits Management System seeks to improve the management of veterans pension and benefits by automating critical processes in pension operations and services administration. Under this project, five systems are being targeted for complete automation until 2022.
Partner Tayo Para sa Bayani seeks to make the formation of Kagitingan builders a shared responsibility and commitment. For activities like commemorations, the project pursues grassroots ownership shared among the local players-government, academe and private sectors-and the national government agencies. Similarly, the project seeks to forge partnerships in implementing master development plans for existing and future shrines.
Reorganization 2.0 and PVAO Learning and Development Program enhance PVAO’s competence in organizational development, supervision of corporate affairs, and project management. This initiative also covers the development of strategic communication among nine strategic units with full personnel complement and competencies by 2022.
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Project Asset Optimization is a three-tracked initiative that seeks to first, make an inventory all assets provided by the state for the benefit of the veterans. Second, review the management of these assets to at the very least adjust lease rates to current market value. Lastly, ensure that veterans assets are managed professionally and competently.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAMS
To ensure that PVAO meets or exceeds the
performance targets in its scorecard and
translate strategy to execution, PVAO created
seven project management teams, which will
implement the initiatives or projects included
in the Scorecard. Since these projects require
inputs and the participation of several PVAO
units, the project management teams are
interdependent and are similarly composed of
personnel from different PVAO units and
external stakeholders.
For example, the Project to Reform the
Veterans Benefit Management System is
composed of officers from the Finance,
Claims, Veterans Record Management and
Management Information Division.
Similarly, the Change Management Team which is tasked to rationalize the organizational structure of
the VFP under Project Unitas is composed of personnel from the Veterans Affairs Management
Division, Legal Affairs Division, Administrative Division, the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and
from the Department of National Defense.
V. INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY – MULTI-SECTOR GOVERNANCE
COUNCIL
Central to the successful implementation of the Roadmap and Scorecard is the meaningful
participation of external stakeholders, who will ensure the following:
1. Sustainability of strategy execution;
2. Continuity despite leadership changes; and,
3. Fidelity to the Roadmap.
SELECTION PROCESS
With this in mind, PVAO embarked on a deliberate process of 1) determining the sectors, which need
to be represented in the MSGC and 2) the selection and invitation of leaders or those with
considerable influence in the sector, which they represent, and have demonstrated a willingness to
serve the veterans and the country.
Figure 3 PMT Reforms in Veterans Benefits Management System comprising of the Chiefs of the Claims, Finance, Veterans Records Management and Management Information Divisions present the Project execution Plan to the Chairman of PVAO SMB
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FUNCTIONS
As an advisory body, the PVAO MSGC’s primary role is to provide advice and guidance to PVAO on the
formulation, updating, execution and monitoring of the PVAO Kagitingan Roadmap 2022 and the
adoption of the Performance Governance System. In particular, the responsibilities of the PVAO
MSGC are to:
1. Assess and monitor the progress of the Kagitingan Roadmap 2022;
2. Evaluate PVAO’s performance relative to its scorecard;
3. Validate strategy review and assessment reports;
4. Support PVAO in promoting the Kagitingan Roadmap 2022 with sector they represent;
5. Assist PVAO in forging partnerships with Kagitingan stakeholders, and;
6. Link PVAO to individuals and organizations which could provide the competencies, technical
knowledge, financial support and other resources critical to the implementation of the Kagitingan
Roadmap 2022.
INVESTING IN KAGIT INGAN
Process of aligning the budget
To integrate the PGS in PVAO’s budgeting process, we revised the process by which we prepare the
Annual Plan and Budget (APB). For the 2015 and APB, all PVAO’s activities were presented, treated and
evaluated as one-year projects. Under this arrangement PVAO was able to prioritize funding for
initiatives such as Project Unitas, support additional commemorations and other activities to increase
the number of Kagitingan Builders.
For the larger requirements of the Kagitingan Roadmap PVAO employed a two-pronged approach of
consistently including our additional requirements in planning documents such as the forward
estimates and budget proposal, supported with a targeted communication campaign to the offices in
charge of providing the funds to enable PVAO to implement the Kagitingan Roadmap. For the
preparation of the 2016 and 2017 Budget PVAO consistently reiterated its financial requirements to
upgrade veterans benefits, repair and maintenance of military shrines and automation of critical
processes, which are all part of PVAO’s Kagitingan Roadmap.
This approach has allowed PVAO to successfully include an additional P86,871,000.00 to fund
Kagitingan Initiatives
Table 4 Kagitingan Initiatives funded in the 2016 Budget
Strategic Objective / Initiative Program, Activity, Project Funded / Increased Amount
Pursue legislation to reform the pension system and augment veteran benefits
Increase in appropriations for Burial Assistance Program from P75M to P100M
25,000,000
Increase in appropriations for Hospitalization Benefits from P10M to P50M
40,000,000
Increase the Number of Kagitingan Builders
Rehabilitation of the colonnade and vignettes of the Memorial Cross at Mt. Samat Shrine
2,200,000
Improve management of veterans pension and benefits
Implementation of the first year of the Information System Strategic Plan
19,471,000
TOTAL 86,871,000
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But the change, if it is to be permanent
and significant, must start with us and in
us.
To borrow the language of F. Sionil Jose,
we have become our own worst
enemies. And we must have the courage
and the will to change ourselves.
Love of country, subordination of
personal interests to the common good,
concern and care for the helpless and
the impoverished – these are among the
lost and faded values that we seek to
recover and revitalize as we commence
our journey towards a better Philippines.
The ride will be rough. But come and join
me just the same. Together, shoulder to
shoulder, let us take the first wobbly
steps in this quest.
Inaugural Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte [June 30, 2016, Rizal Ceremonial Hall, Malacañang, Manila]
VI. EARLY GAINS
EARLY TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE BENEFITS
Aside from the additional funds included in the 2016 Budget to fund Kagitingan initiatives, PVAO was
also able to fund the following in this 2015:
1. Provide support able to encourage local governments to celebrate WWII events, particularly the
Liberation of Angono, Paranaque and Palawan, among others.
2. In partnership with Filipino War Veterans Foundation, Inc. (FILVETS), finance the scanning and
digitization of World War II records at the United States National Archive, thereby preserving
primary historical sources on the veterans heroism.
More recently, PVAO was able to successfully work for the declaration of the Balete Pass (formerly
Dalton Pass) in Nueva Vizcaya as a national shrine under its administration.
VII. CONCLUDING STATEMENT
PVAO is ready to lead the way in finding our way
back to kagitingan, but this is not a journey that
PVAO will make on its own. It is a journey where
the Filipino people are not merely passive
passengers but rather active participants in
bringing about change.
But as the President emphasized, “change, if it is to
be permanent and significant, must start with us
and in us.”
And there is no better starting point than for
Filipinos to draw inspiration from those who have
truly demonstrated the values of love for country
and selfless sacrifice in the most difficult of times –
our veterans who have given life and limb in
defense of this country.
With this inspiration drawn from our veterans, and
with kagitingan as our compass, we are better
armed to face the challenges and opportunities we
will meet in our journey towards a better
Philippines.