http://opava.multiply.com/ Welcome to this site. It will explain to you what this office is all about, its mandate from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the nature of its work in fulfillment of that mandate. If you still have any concerns or questions about this office after reading this presentation, you are welcome to call or visit us anytime at <BR><BR>Rm. 102, Ground Floor, Tahanan ng Masa Building<BR>Gen. Solano cor. Rio Vista Sts.<BR>Malacanang Palace Complex<BR>San Miguel, Manila<BR>Tels. - (Manila) 7353986 (telefax) or 7353996, or .<BR>Mobile phones - 0918 499 8906 and 09205532790<BR>email - pavaopgma@gmail.com.<BR><BR><BR>The OPAVA was created by President GMA on April 4, 2004, as a special office under her office. It is currently headed by Assistant Secretary Jesus Terry "Jerry" F. Adevoso, son of the late World War II Hero and veteran Eleuterio "Col. Terry Magtanggol" L. Adevoso. Jerry as been working continuously with and for war veterans and retirees since 1975, in what is a lifetime personal advocacy.<BR><BR>Veterans Affairs is especially close to the heart of our President. She is the daughter of a World War II Veteran, the late President Diosdado Macapagal who was a guerilla finance officer in Central Luzon during the war years. The President's uncle, the late Pampanga Congressman Angel Macapagal, was a survivor-escapee of the infamous Death March from Bataan to Tarlac, after the defeat of the Filipino-American forces that made a last stand in Bataan in 1942.<BR><BR>During the Macapagal administration (1962-65), the President by law and by decree granted many new benefits and favors to the veterans, who even then were one of the most marginalized sectors of Philippine society and bereft of any lawful substantial veterans benefits from both the USA and the Philippine governments. <BR><BR>It is President Arroyo's intention to continue the service to war veterans that her late father commenced in a major way.<BR><BR>The Vision of the OPAVA is to assist, protect, defend and help provide for the needs of the marginalized war veterans and military retirees sector in all lawful and reasonably possible ways.<BR><BR>In pursuit of this mandate, the OPAVA's specific missions are:<BR><BR>1. provide the President and other concerned officials of the Philippine government, with regular updated information, suggestions and recommendations on the status of the veterans sector, and how government can continue to seek to uplift and work for their well-being<BR>2. seek to fully implement all existing Philippine laws with respect to mandated veterans benefits for the secure future of war veterans, retirees and their families; and to seek new legislation from the Philippine Congress and from local government units for the benefit of war veterans and retirees, as their needs increase through the years; and whenever necessary to directly assist war veterans individually and collectively to gain the benefits they are mandated to receive<BR>3. seek to help in the USA-based Fil-Am grassroots Congressional campaign to gain full equity veterans benefits from the US government that should have been given to Filipino and Fil-Am WWII veterans as early as 1945, but which did not materialize for the overwhelming majority of their numbers<BR>4. if equity legislation is passed in the USA, seek to help create mechanisms in the Philippines which will readily and speedily distribute US veterans benefits to Filipino veterans all over the Philippines<BR>5. work for the creation of a new Philippine Department of Veterans Affairs separate from the Department of National Defense, similar to the United States experience and much-felt need<BR>6. help establish and implement policies, programs and mechanisms for the protection of war veterans and retirees from unscrupulous elements who seek to deprive them of their lawful veterans/retirement benefits<BR>7. engage in a nation-wide tri-media campaign to keep the importance and needs of the veterans sector alive in the national consciousness<BR>8. assist in government programs to establish, sustain and maintain all war memorials, shrines, monuments, and any and all other forms of work for the preservation of Philippine war history and truth<BR>9. help government engage in programs aimed at assisting the war veterans and retirees' progeny such as livelihood, economic, social and cultural<BR>10. assist veterans and retirees comply with the party-list law under which they gain non-political, cause-oriented representation in the Philippine House of Representatives, Philippine Congress<BR>11. Help protect existing veterans' and retirees' collective assets from the clutches of those who would seek to illegally and immorally take over or confiscate these for their personal benefit<BR>12. cooperate and coordinate with all legal government, semi-government and private veterans' and retirees' organizations to stay in touch with their changing needs and wants.<BR><BR>The albums that follow will show and explain how the OPAVA works, and has worked, on these 12 major issues and tasks since April 1, 2004.<BR><BR>Veterans and Retirees who need help and assistance should not hesitate to visit, call, text, fax or email this office to gain such assistance. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:58:19 -0000 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:37:59 -0000 attending a dinner hosted by Rizal Vice Gov. Frisco San Juan Jr. and the WWII Heritage Organization in honor of visiting California Fil-Am Vet descendant Commanders Paul and Miriam http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/80/07172008 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:37:59 -0000 at a multi-sectoral forum held at the Club Filipino, in line with the OEA mandate to interact with many/all sectors of society to explain government work and gain wide http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/79/07172008 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:35:29 -0000 Sta. Maria Bulacan - Asec. Adevoso explains and updates veterans and widows on issues such as equity, phil. vet benefits and others; then conducts a microfinance seminar for veterans' http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/78/07132008 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:26:00 -0000 at Amvel City Clubhouse, Paranaque http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/76/07042008_Hunters_ROTC_Induction Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:44:35 -0000 July - a) The Hunters ROTC Association of WW2 veterans held its annual induction of officers on July 4, 2008 at the Amvel City Clubhouse, Paranaque City. In the photo are NCR VFP VP and Paranaque District Commander Orestes Lopez and VFP Region 4 VP Sancho Tamayo, both Hunters guerillas and veterans b) Asec. Adevoso spoke before the July 13 District Assembly and Elections of the VFP at Sta. Maria, Bulacan, and conducted a seminar on the 3 programns of the government for veterans descendants - microfinance for business; tesda scholarships and philforest agroforestry land for lease c) On July 17, Asec. Adevoso attended a multi-sectoral forum and a dinner for visiting Fil-Am veterans descendants from California, http://opava.multiply.com/photos/album/12/July-December_2008_events_and_developments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:35:05 -0000 PVBank President and CEO Ricardo Balbido Jr. at the inauguration of the Tuguegarao WW2 http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/75/06242008 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 06:20:02 -0000 Phil. Veterans Bank inaugurates its Roving WW2 Exhibit in Tuguegarao, http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/74/06242008 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 06:18:05 -0000 June 19, 2008 - Col. E. de Ocampo introduces the visiting Sen. Dick Gordon to the members of the Executive Board of the Veterans Federation of the http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/73/June_2008_events_ Sun, 6 Jul 2008 06:08:10 -0000 Sen. Richard Gordon, who will reportedly be seeking the Presidency of the country in 2010, proved himself to have a special connection and affinity with the veterans sector when he appeared before the Executive Board of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, the legally-created Filipino veterans' umbrella organization. He assured the veterans' leaders that he would push strongly for the equity bill pending in the US http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/71/June_2008_Veterans_events_ Thu, 3 Jul 2008 07:50:34 -0000 Sen. Richard Dick Gordon is given a token of appreciation by the VFP Executive Board for gracing their meeting and for his support on the equity http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/70/June_2008_events_ Thu, 3 Jul 2008 07:46:52 -0000 Asec. J. Adevoso conducted this seminar for over 150 participants from the ranks of descendants of WWII veterans in Region http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/69/Region_5_Legaspi_City_microfinance_seminar_May_24_2008 Wed, 28 May 2008 05:33:57 -0000 Regional leader Dr. Danny Gujol welcomes the seminar participants. Asec. Jerry Adevoso conducted the seminar from 9 am to 3 pm for the benefit of about 150 descendants leaders and members in Bohol from the WWII Heritage Organization http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/65/microfinance_seminar_region_7_tagbilaran_bohol_42608_ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:41:49 -0000 The President delivers her speech before a large audience of veterans, descendants, diplomats, govt. officials and the other private and public http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/64/Mt_Samat_Apr_9_2008_Araw_ng_Kagitingan Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:12:25 -0000 view from the http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/63/Mt_Samat_Apr_9_2008_Araw_ng_Kagitingan Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:00:32 -0000 war veterans, widows and descendants of the Hunters ROTC Guerillas in attendance at the annual reunion-convention held at La Consolacion College. The Hunters ROTC have NEVER missed having an annual reunion since 1946 - perhaps the only WW2 organization that has this remarkable http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/62/Hunters_ROTC_66th_Anniv_reunion_041308_Binan_Laguna_ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:58:46 -0000 Some of the remaining top leaders of the Hunters ROTC Guerillas still living - their numbers are, unfortunately, fast dwindling. But we, their sons and daughters and future descendants, will never forget them and their noble work for the country and while they are alive, we will protect their interests and fight for their http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/61/Hunters_ROTC_66th_Anniv_reunion_041308_Binan_Laguna_ Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:48:25 -0000 After the Microfinance seminar, Misamis Occidental Governor Leo Ocampos brought us to his divesite and dolphin pool. Mis Occ government is currently developing a coastal region into an eco-tourist zone. With the Governor and me were SDAI Officers from Region 10 Cagayan de http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/60/Dolfn_is_msoc_90807.3gp Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:50:38 -0000 With the Mayor, VFP Commander Bellosi, other veterans and widows and descendants present, the microfinance lending program of the government was brought to the veterans sector of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), with expectations that this would soon spread from Benguet to Ifugao and Abra and other http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/58/Sablan_Benguet_Liberation_Day_Rites_and_microfinance_seminar_041008 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:42:41 -0000 a view of the proceedings from the grandstand, as PGMA renders her speech announcing better things for the veterans and for the http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/56/Mt_Samat_Apr_9_2008_Araw_ng_Kagitingan Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:26:25 -0000 1. April 5-11 is Veterans Week. The veterans are one of the few sectors of Philippine society honored by the Philippine government with its own national holiday - the Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9. Veterans week 2008 and April in general were full of work for the office of Asec. Adevoso: a) April 6 - the two private Fil-Am lobby groups Asec. Adevoso met and strategized with in the USA in February 2008 returned to Washington DC lobbying work for the equity bills. This work was scheduled to last until April 11 USA time. b) on April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan was commemorated at Mt. Samat, Bataan, and as the photos show, it was a well-attended affair (see also video clip of this event). Asec Adevcoso proceeded directly to Baguio, Benguet right after the Bataan event c) on April 10, Asec. Adevoso attended the Liberation Day rites at Sablan, Benguet, and thereafter conducted a microfinance seminar for descendants of war veterans of the USAFIP-NL(see video clip of this event). d) on April 13,... http://opava.multiply.com/photos/album/11/2008_Veterans_sector_Updates_developments_and_events_-_April_to_June Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:03:20 -0000 the exhibit is always open and free to the viewing public. the intention of the exhibit is especially for youth and students to always remember our country's rich and heroic past, and the struggles our forebears went through to attain our current freedom and http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/55/pvb_exhibit_legaspi_040108_ Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:18:42 -0000 Gov. Joey Salceda and Mayor Rosal joined Phil.Veterans Bank President Balbido and staff and myself in opening the Roving WWII Exhibit at the Provincial Capitol. The Exhibit would last until the end of April http://opava.multiply.com/video/item/54/pvb_exhibit_legaspi_040108_ Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:10:37 -0000 In January 2008, the Office of Veterans Affairs was administratively placed by PGMA under the Office of External Affairs, OP. PA Adevoso was also given the new position of Asst. Secretary for Veterans Affairs vice the old position of Presidential Assistant for VA, with rank of Asst. Sec. Presidential Assistant for Veterans Affairs, April 1,2004 - present Special Presidential Representative and Head, Office of Veterans Affairs, Philippine Embassy, Washington DC, USA, July 1, 2002-March 31, 2004 Executive Director, Radio-TV Malacanang, OPS; October 2001-June 30, http://opava.multiply.com/photos/album/9/Jesus_Terry_F._Adevoso Thu, 7 Feb 2008 08:40:47 -0000 It was during this time frame that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo started paying off the previous 16 years of accumulated arrears in mandated benefits - specifically old-age pensions, death pensions and educational benefits - owed by the national government to veterans and retirees. In these 2 years, it is estimated that the national government paid off P3.6B of the P5.5B total arrears in the mentioned benefits and pensions, together with the firm promise to fully pay the balance by the end of the year 2008. Legislators also tried to create new laws that would address the growing arrears in the administrative disability pensions mandated by RA 7696, on which not a single centavo of budget funds had been appropriated since 1994, when the law was approved. The OPAVA sought to lobby for these benefits from the Philippine government as well as to add its voice to the continuing lobby for equity veterans benefits from the USA, and to start up new programs for the benefit of war ve... http://opava.multiply.com/photos/album/8/The_World_of_War_Veterans_and_Descendants_2006-2007 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:49:13 -0000 The Veterans Federation of the Philippines, created by RA 2640 in 1960, and its affiliate member organizations as of 2004. Under this law, the VFP became the umbrella organization of all veterans and retirees organizations in the Philippines. It is through the VFP that government listens to, and acts in behalf of, all Filipino veterans. The President's liaison to all veterans and retirees is the OPAVA. The website of the VFP is vfp.ph. The websites of WW2 descendants of veterans are gkfs.multiply.com and wwiiheritage.multiply.com http://opava.multiply.com/photos/album/7/War_Veterans_Umbrella_Organization Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:51:07 -0000 Mar. 24, 2008 - the trip to Iloilo for the 63rd anniversary of WWII Liberation in Panay Island was a successful one. I was guest speaker at both the sunrise (where Usec. E. Carolina was the main speaker) and the sunset ceremonies. Today, to my existing trips schedule was added an April 1-2 trip to Legazpi City for the inauguration of the Phil. Veterans Bank roving WW2 Exhibit there. During these events, the President asked me in 2006 to represent her. This roving exhibit program of the bank is now on its 2nd year, and very successful. I missed the February 2008 exhibit in Marikina due to my trip to the USA. Mar. 17, 2008 - so far, my official schedule for the next 2 months is: today until March 19 - Iloilo City to guest and speak at 63rd Liberation Anniversary Rites; March end - another WWII Heritage Organization open public Forum on governance and proper action by citizens is expected; April 5-11 - Veterans Week and its flurry of daily activities; April 11-13 - Mt. Samat, Bataan... http://opava.multiply.com/photos/album/6/Jan-April_12008_Events_and_developmentsPersonal_comments Sun, 6 Jan 2008 05:41:54 -0000