BCS news
PGMA orders PVAO to set up veterans processing centers on provinces
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the Philippine Veterans Office (PVAO) to put up temporary processing centers in provinces with large number of Filipino veterans to help speed up the processing of benefits for Filipino veterans who fought alongside American soldiers from 1941 to 1945 in World War II, as provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The President issued the marching orders during the celebration Monday of the signing of the US Stimulus Law held at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall.
The temporary centers shall be called PVAO Fast-Track Centers (PVAO-FTCs).
“We look forward to the speedy implementation of the provisions for Filipino veterans in the (US) Stimulus Bill. We will continue working with the U.S. government in ensuring that benefits and recognition are given to our veterans,” the President said.
The Chief Executive said the roster of surviving World War II veterans now with PVAO and the updated data base of government agencies that have records of living veterans will be the basis in deciding where the PVAO FTCs shall be located.
She said the setting up of PVAO FTCs will spare the veterans, “who have served our country in the cause of freedom,” from the physical torture and costs of going to Metro Manila to have their claims processed.
At the same time, the President said the dispersal of the PVAO staffers to carry out outreach programs in the provinces will also help them develop a keener and clearer understanding of the problems faced by war veterans.
President Arroyo added that the PVAO staffers to be assigned to the temporary processing centers must coordinate with the Regional Offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the local government leaders in their areas of assignment.
“Our PVAO staffers also need to communicate, in simple and easy-to-understand language relative to the entire processing exercise. In their old age and in the winter of their lives, the veterans need more than ever, the tender and caring hand of government,” she stressed.
The President who had placed the veterans’ benefit claims as among her top foreign policy initiatives, also noted that the long battle for justice for the Filipino WWII veterans has “achieved a great victory” with the inclusion of some $198 million in the US Stimulus law to compensate the Filipino veterans.
She added that the benefits provided them under the new law are in addition and “not in replacement of” those already being enjoyed by some of them.
“In other words, any addition to the recognition of their military service and the lump-sum payments that are now forthcoming, those already enjoying supplementary security income will be able to continue with that benefit,” she stressed.
The President likewise extended her congratulations to President Barack Obama “for his keen leadership that led to the passage of the US Stimulus Bill as a whole. “
She noted that the inclusion in the Stimulus Bill of payments for Filipino World War II veterans is an example of what she had been advocated that in looking for solutions to the world crisis, those most hurt by the global downturn, including Filipino veterans, must be given priority.
“Ambassador Kenney, please convey to President Obama that we join the rest of the world in supporting his efforts to bring financial recovery to the U.S. and to the whole world,” she added.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, passed by the US Congress on February 14 and signed into law by President Obama on February 17, grants a lump sum of $15,000 for each of the United States-based Filipino veterans and $9,000 for those living in the Philippines.
President Arroyo also thanked and praised the US lawmakers for correcting the "historic wrong" inflicted in the past of Filipino WWII veterans by retaining in the bill the $198-million provision. Filipino veterans have long sought benefits from the US citing a promise made to them by wartime US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
In 1946, however, the US Congress declared that the more than 250,000 Filipino soldiers who fought under the American flag during the Pacific War were not in active service for the American military, and denied them of benefits.
US authorities estimate that some 18,000 Filipino WWII veterans are still alive, but the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office puts the number at more than 36,000 aside from their nearly 80,000 surviving spouses.
In today’s event, US Ambassador Kristie Kenny presented a signed copy of the US Stimulus Law, particularly the section pertaining to Filipino veterans benefits. The President, in turn, presented the signed copy of the law to a Filipino veteran, Col. Emmanuel Ocampo, chairman of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines.
The President issued the marching orders during the celebration Monday of the signing of the US Stimulus Law held at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall.
The temporary centers shall be called PVAO Fast-Track Centers (PVAO-FTCs).
“We look forward to the speedy implementation of the provisions for Filipino veterans in the (US) Stimulus Bill. We will continue working with the U.S. government in ensuring that benefits and recognition are given to our veterans,” the President said.
The Chief Executive said the roster of surviving World War II veterans now with PVAO and the updated data base of government agencies that have records of living veterans will be the basis in deciding where the PVAO FTCs shall be located.
She said the setting up of PVAO FTCs will spare the veterans, “who have served our country in the cause of freedom,” from the physical torture and costs of going to Metro Manila to have their claims processed.
At the same time, the President said the dispersal of the PVAO staffers to carry out outreach programs in the provinces will also help them develop a keener and clearer understanding of the problems faced by war veterans.
President Arroyo added that the PVAO staffers to be assigned to the temporary processing centers must coordinate with the Regional Offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the local government leaders in their areas of assignment.
“Our PVAO staffers also need to communicate, in simple and easy-to-understand language relative to the entire processing exercise. In their old age and in the winter of their lives, the veterans need more than ever, the tender and caring hand of government,” she stressed.
The President who had placed the veterans’ benefit claims as among her top foreign policy initiatives, also noted that the long battle for justice for the Filipino WWII veterans has “achieved a great victory” with the inclusion of some $198 million in the US Stimulus law to compensate the Filipino veterans.
She added that the benefits provided them under the new law are in addition and “not in replacement of” those already being enjoyed by some of them.
“In other words, any addition to the recognition of their military service and the lump-sum payments that are now forthcoming, those already enjoying supplementary security income will be able to continue with that benefit,” she stressed.
The President likewise extended her congratulations to President Barack Obama “for his keen leadership that led to the passage of the US Stimulus Bill as a whole. “
She noted that the inclusion in the Stimulus Bill of payments for Filipino World War II veterans is an example of what she had been advocated that in looking for solutions to the world crisis, those most hurt by the global downturn, including Filipino veterans, must be given priority.
“Ambassador Kenney, please convey to President Obama that we join the rest of the world in supporting his efforts to bring financial recovery to the U.S. and to the whole world,” she added.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, passed by the US Congress on February 14 and signed into law by President Obama on February 17, grants a lump sum of $15,000 for each of the United States-based Filipino veterans and $9,000 for those living in the Philippines.
President Arroyo also thanked and praised the US lawmakers for correcting the "historic wrong" inflicted in the past of Filipino WWII veterans by retaining in the bill the $198-million provision. Filipino veterans have long sought benefits from the US citing a promise made to them by wartime US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
In 1946, however, the US Congress declared that the more than 250,000 Filipino soldiers who fought under the American flag during the Pacific War were not in active service for the American military, and denied them of benefits.
US authorities estimate that some 18,000 Filipino WWII veterans are still alive, but the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office puts the number at more than 36,000 aside from their nearly 80,000 surviving spouses.
In today’s event, US Ambassador Kristie Kenny presented a signed copy of the US Stimulus Law, particularly the section pertaining to Filipino veterans benefits. The President, in turn, presented the signed copy of the law to a Filipino veteran, Col. Emmanuel Ocampo, chairman of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines.
Invitation to bid
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
4,800 sheets Kromekote 189 lbs. 26x40 and 108 reams Bookpaper 60 lbs. 24x36
Sealed bids/proposals for 4,800 sheets Kromekote 189 lbs. 26x40 and 108 reams Bookpaper 60 lbs. 24x36 will be received by the Bids and Awards Committee, Bureau of Communications Services, 310 PCs Building San Rafael St., San Miguel, Manila 1005, on or before Sept. 15, 2010 at which time, date and place said bids/proposals will be opened in the presence of the participating bidders.
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