Veterans leaders, partner individuals, and PVAO chiefs awarded

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 17): Veterans leaders, partner individuals, and PVAO chiefs awarded

Recognizing the leadership and public service of chosen veterans leaders, partner individuals, and heads of various divisions of Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin conferred them plaques of recognition and certificates of appreciation.

Plaques of recognition were given to Cong. Herminia B. Roman, Representative of the 1st District of Bataan and Chairperson of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare; Cong. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Representative of the 2nd District of Pangasinan and Vice-Chairperson of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare; Gen. Renato S. De Villa, Chairperson of the Filipino War Veterans Foundation Inc.; Mr. Francisco H. Licuanan III, Chairman and Director of the Geo Estate Development Corporation and New Pacific Resources Management Inc.; Col. Francisco F. San Juan, Supremo of the Hunters ROTC Guerillas, Inc.; Director Ludovico Badoy, Executive Director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; MGen Raul Z Caballes, PVAO Deputy Administrator; and Atty. Rolando S. Villaflor, Chief of Legal Affairs Division—PVAO.

Certificates of appreciation were received by the following individuals:

1. BGen. Arnulfo D. Banez, President of the Unites States Army Forces in the Philippines—Northern Luzon;

2. LtGen. Raul S. Urgello, President of Kampilan Peacekeepers, Inc.;

3. Judge Aurora N. Recina, President of the Philippine Association of War Widows, Parents, and Orphans, Inc.

4. Commander Ricardo S. Madayag, President of the Magsaysay Veterans Legion;

5. Commander William S. Pasiwen, National Commander of the Fil-American Irregular Troops Inc.;

6. Capt. Marlon Z. Dantes, President of the Philippine Veterans Legion;

7. Colonel Simplicio F. Duque, President of the AFP Retired Veterans Association;

8. Atty. Manuel T. Cannu, President of the Philippine Naval Veterans Legion;

9. Atty. Rafel E. Evangelista, National Commander, Defender of Bataan and Corregidor, Inc;

10. Commander Roberto G. Gacayan, President of the Confederation of Filipino Veterans;

11. Colonel Celestino Ornopia, Jr. PA, Vice President of the Gold Star Mothers and United War Widows and Orphans Association of the Philippines, Inc.;

12. Justice Manuel R. Pamaran, President of the Hunters ROTC Guerilla, Inc.;

13. Col. Cesar P. Pobre, President of the Cavaliers Association of Veterans;

14. MGen. Alfredo S. Cayton Jr., Chief of PVAO Veterans Affairs Management Division;

15. Dr. Pilar D. Ibarra, PVAO Medical Officer and Chairperson of the Disability Rating Board;

16. Ms. Raquel A. Cajuguiran, Chief of PVAO Claims Division;

17. Ms. Melinda I. Luna, Chief of PVAO Veterans Records Management Division;

18. Mr. Ferdinand Palor, Chief of PVAO Finance Division;

19. BGen. Restituto L. Aguilar, Chief of PVAO Veterans Memorial and Historical Division;

20. Col. Omar L. Tonsay, Chief of PVAO Planning and Management Division;

21. Ms. Mariciel E. Estacio, Chief of PVAO Administrative Division;

22. Ms. Katherine T. Arrojo, Acting Chief of PVAO Management Information Division;

23. Col. Algerico G. Amagna of PVAO Management Information Division;

24. BGen. Roberto G. Dimayuga, AFP (Ret)

25. P/Supt. Romeo G. Laurinaria, PNP (Ret) of PVAO Finance Division;

Usec. Carolina, in his welcome remarks, thanked Gazmin for initiating the awarding ceremony.

“I want to thank the gentleman who will confer the awards. Truth to tell, we got so preoccupied lately that recommending for awards hardly crossed our minds. However, we got an advice from the Office of the Secretary -- that he wants to recognize and cite those who have immeasurably contributed to DND goals and advocacies, particularly for the welfare of the Filipino veterans. So, I wish to thank the Secretary of National Defense, the Honorable Voltaire T. Gazmin, for initiating today’s event. We are very grateful that you have not forgotten to give credit to where credit is due,” he said.

In his message, Gazmin thanked the awardees who represent a cross-section of patriotic organizations and groups dedicated to the promotion of the welfare and well-being of our veterans and their families.

“Thank you for your outstanding, exemplary, and dedicated services to our defense department, our government, and citizenry especially to our veterans, patriots, heroes, and their families. I hope that the modest recognition that we have accorded to you today will be a humble token of the grateful nation. Six years ago, we sought a good state of our defense department and its bureaus. Today, we see them in a better professional state—more improved in terms of prudent and righteous administration and management, and more effective and efficient in the rendition of services in the pursuit of the department’s mission especially in the promotion of our soldiers and veterans,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=896082