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EDITORIAL
no S. Aquino, III recently delivered his 2nd State of the Nation Address before the joint session of Congress and before the general public, our bosses.

PAF: Flying High at 64

Excerpts from the Speech of

Finally, Housing for Soldiers

by Dean M. Bernardo

T he President, H.E. President Benig-

DND Sec. Voltaire T. Gazmin,

delivered on 1 July 2011, Villamor Air Base

In his address, he specifically dissected the impact of the utak wangwang or the mentality of people who abuse their authority and office at the expense of the Filipino nation. In the same speech, he gave emphasis on the futility of reform programs and initiatives to bring progress to this nation if there will be no genuine effort to transform the way we think and act. We all have a role in society in the building of a just, fair and modern nation. We must actively become partners in the transformation of our country and of our society as a whole. Here in the Defense establishment, we continue to build up our capabilities and ensure that we have a credible deterrence against external and internal threats. It is to the service of people and country that we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity. As we heed the call of our President, and help in the elimination of utak wang-wang both in the public and private sectors we reflect on what our National Hero, whose 150th Birth Anniversary we celebrated last June 19, wrote in his farewell poem: On the field of battle, mid the frenzy of fight/ Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed/ The place matters not-cypress or laurel or lily white/ Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdoms plight/ Tis ever the same, to serve our home and countrys need.
AAC/BMB

For over six decades, the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE has manifested its unsullied devotion to its constitutional duty in the service of the Filipino nation. The commitment and dedication of its officers and men and women have been beyond reproach, and their courage and patriotism presents no room for question. Its pilots and airmen are, as ever ready to undertake any air operation missions with the highest degree of professional expertise and precision.
The role of this command in support of the mission of our Armed Forces has been both traditional and non-traditional. In times of conflict or peace and quiet, its functions interchangeably encompass the pursuit of all forms and facets of our national endeavors - from political, to social, to economic. Our military pilots and aircraft have been anywhere and everywhere in our country and its territorial borders and domains. They are either in patrol and combat operations; in security coverage of our vital assets and installations; in airlift runs of personnel, supplies and equipment; in search, rescue, and rehabilitation missions during the advent of disasters and calamities, in the transport of the sick and wounded, and an endless enumeration of all imaginable errands in the name and for the good of our endeared Republic and people. But the determination and enthusiasm of our Air Force personnel to perform their sworn duty cannot be matched by their aging and dwindling air assets. Our old aircraft simply succumbed to wear and tear. Inevitably, it left our air skippers with very few and relatively obsolete and unsafe wings to fly. Like the Philippine Navy, this is the true and sad state of the Philippine Air Force today. As we have been unending in our noisy clam-

ors to acquire potent replacements for our air assets since three decades ago, we are now louder and clearer in our desire to modernize. As a preparatory move to acquire new air platforms, in November of last year we initially received and placed in our Air Force inventory four (4) new SF 260F trainer aircraft. Today, all of the eighteen (18) units of this type of aircraft that we had ordered from a foreign manufacturer had been delivered and are now in the service of the Philippine Air Force. These air platforms are certainly vital to the training needs of our pilots as we await the acquisition of air hardware that we must have to possess and fly, to effectively carry air missions and guard our skies. The urgent goal of modernizing our Air Force, our Navy and our Armed Forces for that matter is seriously being undertaken by our national leadership. This would certainly be a very important factor in our many operational pursuits and endeavors as we vigorously pursue the implementation of our Internal Peace and Security Plan

Being a professional soldier, home is where accommodations are provided for in your next assignment, one either brings along his family to the camp, and to the next where duty calls. Often, due to the demands of a mission, and even the dedication to the service, opportunities to acquire a permanent home for a soldiers family is often given least attention or priority. Come retirement time, countless soldiers return to civilian life without a place to call home, and clueless as to where their retirement pension could take them. This situation has come to the attention of Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin early on his career as a commander of various units of the Philippine Army. Conditions and plight for soldiers without a decent home and means of providing for one has become one of the cornerstones of his term in office. Fortunately, President Benigno S. Aquino, III shares the same sentiments and didnt take a second thought to immediately act on addressing this problem. Barely a month into the new administration, a program to provide affordable housing was being devised and was to become a flagship housing program, initially to benefit members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). On the 25th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution this year, the President announced that 20,000 housing units will be built for military and police personnel. The President issued Administrative Order 9 on 11 April 2011 that directs the National Housing Authority (NHA) to formulate, implement and manage housing projects for 20,000 military and police personnel; while the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was tasked to give priority attention to fund the Php4.29 billion housing program; and the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG to prioritize financial aid to the beneficiaries through a "special loan window" scheme. The program shall become part of the NHAs Socialized Housing Program through the Community Initiative Approach to housing development. The President stressed that these housing projects should be accessible and affordable. The program will approximate the beneficiaries housing allowance to pay for the monthly amortizations for a maximum spread of 30 years. On July 15, 2011, barely after two months from ground-breaking rites, President Aquino together with Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman, Jejomar C. Binay, Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and NHA General Manager Atty. Chito M. Cruz distributed Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELAs) to 4,000 housing units and 900 door keys in Bocaue Hills, Barangay Batia, Bulacan and in the Lake Breeze Residences housing project located in Barangay Looc, Calamba City. There are also other housing projects in certain areas in Visayas and Mindanao which are on its development/construction stage where by 2012, there will already be first set of grantees.
Locations and accommodations Initially, six pilot housing sites were selected near the National Capital Region.These are in Bocaue, Bulacan, Cavite, Montalban, Rizal, Trece Martirez and General Trias in Cavite City, and in Bian & Calamba, Laguna. In terms of accessibility, the housing sites average 29 kilometers (18 miles) from the center of the National Capital Region. The housing projects are near major road arteries and close to churches, schools, markets and other centers of business. Types of houses being offered (subject to location) is a basic 22- square meter (sqm) floor area with a Standard Model House within a 36-sqm. lot offered at PhP140,000.00. The second is an 18 sqm. (expandable to 25 sqm) Loft type House within a 40 sqm. lot for PhP173,000.00. Both types of packages are already less PhP35,000.00 worth of government subsidies. Monthly amortization was pegged at PhP200.00 for the first five years. For the standard model house i.e. 22-sqm floor area and 36 sqm lot, the monthly amortization will be PhP1,307.00 for the Standard Model and PhP1,419.00 for the Loft Type House for the last five years of the term (26th to 30th year).

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OUR COVER: This edition features the opportunity for a number of our men and women in the Armed Forces to finally own their own home. Photos show H.E. Benigno S. Aquino, III; Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman, Jejomar C. Binay; Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin; and NHA General Manager Atty. Chito M. Cruz distributing Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation (CELAs) for 4,000 housing units and 900 door keys in Barangay Batia, Bocaue Hills in Bulacan and the Lake Breeze Residences housing project in Barangay Looc, Calamba City. Among the recipients include members of the Major Armed services; Army, Navy (and Marines) and the Air Force. Our newsletter carries the color BLUE as a recognition for the 64th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force last July 1.

Map shows relative distance of Housing projects to Metro Manila.

In succeeding pages, our footnotes feature select quotes from President Benigno S. Aquino, IIIs 2nd State of the Nation Address.

Abusing privilege despite promising to servethis is the wang-wang mindset; this is the mindset of entitlement.

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From Page 3: PAF: Flying High at 64
"Bayanihan". Compounding our extreme necessity to modernize is the preponderance of the nagging Constitutional duty of our Armed Forces to truly "secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory". This is a must for our Armed Forces to do within the bounds of our pertinent Constitutional provisions. The road to modernization for our military institution is long and arduous. But the resolute and unwavering commitment to duty of our officers and men and women spurs inspiration and renewed trust of our citizens in our Armed Forces. Thus, it gives an added determination for our national leadership to provide our Armed Forces with decent assets and equipment to fulfill its primary constitutional mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our Republic. With these humble remembrances, I wish to commend the Philippine Air Force for its total

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himself hopping from one island to another, widening his forays to the enemys heartland in Mindanao and the lush forests of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. In the FSRR, I had practically no time for love. At dutys call, we get to be deployed from one place to another in a moments notice. Soldiery became my first love and my rifle as my wife! recounted Francisco with a laugh. In the first twelve years of my career, I was single. It was in 1993 that I married my beloved wife Annielyn. Communicating with the Family While carrying out their jobs in the military, both Ang and Francisco tried their best in performing their other important role: that of a husband and a father. They have placed high value on family despite the time-demanding and financially-constraining military profession. They both believe that effective communication is the best remedy for their absence from home and other family predicaments. Ang said that establishing constant communication with his family has been a habit for him. He said that the lack of postal service in Basilan in the early 80s did not hinder him from maintaining constant contact with his wife. I wrote my love letters using palara (cigarette foil wrapper) then sent them through any of my soldiers who is about to go on leave in Luzon, he narrated fondly. With no advanced technological gadget that could deliver real-time communication, the military tactical radio set became the preferred mode of communication among soldiers and their families during that period. The ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio, the URC 187, became the ever precious link between soldiers and their loved ones. Though connecting both ends using the said radio is cumbersome, it nonetheless served its purpose and made everyone happy even for a moment. Ang said that his wife availed of this communication line through his Unit liaison office in Fort Bonifacio. Same was true for Francisco and his family. The advent of the cellular phone in mid90s provided the means for the soldiers to reach their loved ones much easier and in an instant. Their family members didnt need to go to nearby camps and queue for a few hours to avail of free calls using the URC187 radio. Ang, while undergoing a specialization training in Australia, spent much of his allowances on phone cards. He virtually burnt

PAF Commanding General Oscar Rabena and Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin
commitment to our Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan". It is very encouraging to note that we are solid in our belief that IPSP "Bayanihan" is the genuine social platform in our common search for peace and solidarity for our nation and people. I can only believe in your theme, "Ang Inyong Hukbong Himpapawid: Kaakibat sa Kaunlaran at Kaisa sa Kapayapaan".

ical Center (VMMC) recently received a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) during a dedication ceremony recently. His Excellency Harry K. Thomas Jr., Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of the Philippines, led the turnover of the MRI machine with Director Jon Skelly of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Manila Regional Blessing of the new MRI facility with (from left) Amb. Harry K. Office and USDVA Manila Clinic Thomas. DND Usec. Eduardo Batac, PVAO Administrator Ernesto Manager Dennis Brink. Also G. Carolina and VMMC Director, Dr. Nona Legaspi. present were USec. Eduardo G. Batac, Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and MRI is an advanced diagnostic technolReserve Affairs representing Defense Secretary ogy that can provide detailed images of orVoltaire T. Gazmin joined by PVAO Adminis- gans and tissues within the body. It is an trator, Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina AFP (Ret.). imaging instrument that uses powerful magDr. Nona Legaspi, VMMC Director, re- nets and radio waves to create pictures of the ceived the MRI grant on behalf of the veter- body. The image and resolution produced by ans community together with Dr. Franklin V. MRI is detailed and accurate that it can deGali, VMMC Assistant Director; Dr. Dominador tect tiny changes of structures within the body Chiong Jr., VMMC Chief of Professional Staff. that CT scans, ultrasound, and X-rays cannot. The said MRI Machine costs approxiAt present, VMMC team is currently undergomately $1.3 million or P55.9 million. Since ing training and establishing medical protocol or 2003, the USDVA has donated over $5.7 mil- special operating procedures in the proper oplion of medical equipment such as CT scan, eration and administration of the MRI Machine. radiography, fluoroscopy and portable X-ray Veterans and their dependents may avail machine, and dialysis machines to the Veter- of the MRI scanning at no cost. Meanwhile, ans Hospital in line with an equipment grant PVAO and VMMC employees and their deprogram to VMMC, which the USDVA Sec- pendents are entitled to a 20% discount. retary Eric Shinseki committed to continue.

The Veterans Memorial Med-

VMMC now has MRI machine

Winning in Both Fronts: Two Army Soldiers' Tale About Fatherhood and Soldiery
by Maj. Harold M. Cabunoc, P.A. - Deputy, Philippine Army Public Affairs Office For two senior leaders in the Philippine Army, achieving success as a professional soldier and as a family man is possible.
Ang, wanting to have a piece of real action, started his military career fighting the secessionist rebels in Basilan island as a Platoon Leader of the 45th Infantry Battalion in 1981. After a year, he found himself scaling the mountain ranges of Luzon when his unit was redeployed to confront the growing influence of the communist terrorists there. Due to the demands of my combat

Veterans Corner
Bereaved by a veteran killed in the line of duty?
Our government also has provisions for the parent, spouse, or unmarried minor child of a veteran who died in line of duty or due to a service-connected disability or sickness. Below are the specific benefits: Surviving spouse, regardless of age: P1,000/month Unmarried minor child: P1,000/month until the child reaches the age of 18 Parent: P1,000 each/month, single parent (with the right of accretion) P2,000/month.

COL. ARTHUR ANG, the current Brigade Commander of the Armys 901st Infantry Brigade in Daraga Albay, and CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT GUILLERMO FRANCISCO, the Armys Command Sergeant Major, said that military service and family life should go hand in hand. Both 51, they believe that a soldier cant afford to be successful in one and a failure on the other. Failing in one would be personally devastating. These two fathers take pride in being successful in both worlds. For his part, Ang firmly believes that there is no value of having a successful military career but having a broken or dysfunctional family. The good news is that winning in both fronts is achievable. Failure in one is never an option, hence, finding the right balance is paramount. The key lies on the understanding, cooperation, and having a common direction towards proper molding of the children, explained Ang. Meanwhile, Franciscos secret formula for a successful marriage is not simply communication but consistent communication which requires extra effort from the couple. Even before the popularity of the cellular phones and the Internet, I never failed to consistently communicate with my wife and children as part of my responsibility as the leader of my family. Im well aware that coming short of my obligation as a father would have a negative impact on the well-being of my family, he explained.
No time for Love During the early days of their military career, Army soldiers were normally sent to the frontlines for their combat duties. Young and adventurous, they were the workhorses of the Philippine Army in its counter-insurgency operations and other tasks.

Chief Master Sergeant GUILLERMO P. FRANCISCO, P.A.,

assignment, I rarely met my parents and my wife, Evangeline, who was still my girlfriend then. Since I was still single in the first four years of my military service, I focused on performing my job well as a company grade officer and learning other trade crafts as much as I can, he confided. Francisco, on the other hand, trained as an elite Scout Ranger, scoured the hinterlands of the Visayas islands as a young Private of the Armys Special Warfare Brigade in the early 80s. When he was assigned with the Armys rapid deployment force, the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR), he found

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I say to those who would lead us astray: if you will further disadvantage the poor, do not even think about it. If all you would do is to fill your own pockets, do not even think about it. If it is not for the benefit of the Filipino people, do not even think about it.

There was a time when we couldnt appropriately respond to threats in our own backyard. Now, our message to the world is clear: What is ours is ours; setting foot on Recto Bank is no different from setting foot on Recto Avenue.

A Review of the Armys Gains in Basilan versus the ASG

The SOTF is addressing the so called Basilan Problem not only through aggressive combat operations, but also through the conduct of peace and development initiatives. While the notorious criminals are being hunted down, a component of soldiers are busy with their community outreach programs such as medical/dental missions and the Brigada Eskwela. The SOTF has also involved the various stakeholders in its various peace and development efforts. Dialogues with the both the Muslim and Christian communities are included in the agenda. In several occasions, the soldiers are working hand in hand with their civilian counterparts for common activities that benefit the people. The presence of the

From Page 5: Winning in Both Fronts

the lines chatting with his wife and only son, Arthur Angelo, sharing their respective experiences. Similarly, through his own cellular phone, Francisco continuously performed his role as a father even when he was in the hinterlands of Basilan sometime in 2002. I helped my children with their school homework through text messages and phone calls. I helped them solve the problems by relaying the answers through text messages, he narrated with a wide grin. The military father Mrs. Ang and Mrs. Francisco quit their respective jobs to be full-time housewives and mothers. My wife abandoned her career to look after our son 24/7. We knew from the very start that it would mean financial difficulty but our sons welfare and correct upbringing was our top priority, Ang resolutely said. Francisco ably convinced his wife to quit her job by the time their eldest child, Angeline, was born. He didnt want to follow other soldiers who chose to tag along their families even in far-flung military detachments. I wanted my children to be personally reared by their mother in a family-friendly community while I was far away. I delegated most of my fatherly duties to my wife and I was lucky that she performed them very well. My wife is one tough cookie. She is a mother who can truly enforce order in our household. Im truly fortunate to have her as my wife, Francisco said warm heartedly. Being constantly away from home, military children are normally closer to their mothers than to their soldier-father. Aware of this fact, Ang and his wife constantly remind their son about his fathers sacrifices in the service of the country and the nobility of the military profession. Through his wife, Ang ably remained as the father-figure in his sons life despite his long absence. Ang also believes that military fathers should not be too harsh on their children. Dealing with the kids is a bit tricky and can easily go haywire especially if they are treated in a martial manner. As a father who is most of the time away from home, I cannot afford spending my limited time mistreating my son. I think that children who are mistreated by their soldierfather tend to become rebellious. Every time I come home, I set for our bonding moments

The Philippine Army is winning its fight against the lawless elements and terrorist rebels in Basilan province. People of Basilan have appreciated the presence of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) forces of the Philippine Army since last quarter of 2010.

A t least 2,000 strong Army forces are currently deployed in the island to check the spate of abductions and acts of terrorism perpetrated by a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits. Since its deployment, the unit has posted significant gains in its campaign to eradicate the perils of terrorism in the Southern Philippines. It is interesting to note that the recent accomplishments are attributed to the steady flow of valuable information from the civilian populace. Composed of highly trained Scout Rangers and Special Forces, the Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) replaced the 1st Marine Brigade which was redeployed to CenCommanding General of the Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz inspects confiscated weapons from rebel returnees. tral Mindanao late last year. soldiers is always felt not only during security patrols but also during non-combat Winning the war: The right approach Though war-fighting remains to be the activities. Due to the continuous threats against core competency of the Philippine Army, the organization is adopting a non-tradi- project implementers, the soldiers are tional approach in its drive to flush out the also conducting security operations in support to the on-going Basilan circumfernotorious lawless bandits. The soldiers are using the right mix ential road project. In an isolated incident, Virgilio Fernanof military operations to effectively address the situation in this remote island dez, 59, a project engineer was abducted famed for its being the playing grounds while on his way to a road project in Lamifor the rebels who call themselves muja- tan town on June 3. In a daring combatrescue mission behind enemy lines, he hideens (Islamic warriors).
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T his logo best represents the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMCs vital role in our country. The 3 smaller dark blue circles stand for the three main islands of the Philippines (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) and the partially hidden biggest circle symbolizing the NDRRMC. The line circles connecting them signifies the connection of the country to the government agency, with NDRRMC, as the epicenter, as the main disaster-management organization. It also denotes the meaning of a ripple-effect, wherein events that happen to one part of the country has/ may have an effect to the other parts of the country. Thus making the actions of the NDRRMC towards national occurences critical and decisive, making it an important government bureau. The word PROACTIVE is inscribed in the logo to represent the paradigm shift from reactive to a proactive stance to realize the National Councils vision of having safer, adaptive and disaster resilient Filipino communities toward sustainable development.
Ranndolf M. Javier, Eric John San Miguel, & Maria Sylvia Victoria Torralba, are the three winners in the AFP Facebook Essay Writing (On-line) Contest launched on July 7, 2011 in the AFP Facebook Fan Page. This is one venue to further promote AFPs positive and active engagement with the public especially with the active users of the social networking sites Facebook: http://facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines; Twitter: http://twitter.com/TeamAFP.

The New NDRRMC Logo

Hurdling the Long Road to Advancement

by Ms. Cheyene Sanico

The AFP: Winning Peace Thru Hearts And Minds

by Maria Sylvia Victoria Torralba Winner of the AFP Facebook Essay Writing

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The AFP has taken the fight against threat to national security to the next higher level - and hopefully to its last and final level, when it has taken its stand to promote internal peace and security through winning the hearts and minds of the people. Who says that our military is the number one violator of our human rights and is abusive of power? Think again.... Our soldiers have touched base with local government officials and their communities, influential leaders, religious sectors, down to the grassroots within the locality in promoting and protecting the welfare of its people. Certain strategic programs have been developed which readily interact with the society and provided a fair and favourable venue wherein issues and concerns among the stakeholders and communities can be resolved. Hence, the military is the most concrete proof that best exemplifies the government's unwavering effort to end armed conflict through peaceful resolution. Needless to say, even in the most isolated communities where there is conflict and intense poverty, military doctors and nurses, dentists, engineers, uniformed

Photo courtesy of Makamandag Battalion

personnel, rescue and relief teams are being deployed to engage in various outreach programs and relief operations so as to create a social mindset that every community is in union with the government, thus, assures its populace that they are being taken care of. This is the most powerful tool in its most just and legitimate form in winning the allegiance of the people back to the government and taking it away from the rebels without resorting to use of force and, at the same time, regaining the trust and confidence of the society.

W ith an unwavering commitment to pursue its modernization objectives, the Government Arsenal (GA) has been exerting great efforts for over a decade now to find ways and means to realize its much-awaited upgrade. Modernizing the GA will improve its production capacity and capability which will enable us to attain in-country self-reliance in the manufacture of small arms ammunition (SAA) and eventually in other defense products. It will also allow the GA to fully support the requirements of the AFP, PNP and other law enforcement agencies for SAA. One of the steps taken by GA to achieve modernization is to procure six critical equipment which are expected to increase GAs annual production capacity from 58% to 70% supportability of the AFPs requirement on 5.56mm, 7.62mm and Cal .45 ammunition by 2013. Through the efforts of the Director of GA, Jonathan Martir, the amount of P433M from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund had, so far, been approved by the Secretary for National Defense for the procurement of said equipment, five of which are undergoing post-qualification, while one is due for bidding. Another move is to engage interested bidders into a joint venture with GA for the local manufacture of assault rifles at no cost to the government. To date, letters from two foreign companies were received by GA conveying their interest in entering into a joint venture. One proposal is for the refurbishment of 8,000 units of defective M16 rifles in the AFP inventory which may eventually evolve into the local manufacture of small arms. The other joint venture proposal is for the in-country manufacture of M4 rifles at no expense to the Philippine Government, as the needed capital investment will all be coming from the proponent. A Negotiating Committee has been created by the Department to review/refine the proposal in accordance with the requirements of the GA. In the midst of these undertakings, the GA still has a long way to go before achieving a fully-capable and modernized Arsenal. But with the full support from the Department of National Defense and the Philippine government, the GA is optimistic that it can hurdle the obstacles and challenges along the way.

We are also studying the possibility of elevating the case on the West Philippine Sea to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, to make certain that all involved nations approach the dispute with calm and forbearance.

We are giving these poor families a chance to improve their lives, because their progress will be the countrys progress. How can they buy products and services from businesses if they do not have proper income?

Shifting Towards a Safer, Adaptive and Disaster Resilient Philippines

key result areas which will serve as strategic guideposts to achieve the overarching goal of a having a safer, adaptive and disaster-resilient Filipino communities toward sustainable development. To operationalize the NDRRM Framework into more concrete terms, a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRM Plan) is currently being developed and will be rolled out for implementation by August 2011. A National Disaster Response Plan will also be developed in tandem with the NDRRM Plan, even as the OCD continues to provide and coordinate training services to various local stakeholders to improve their preparedness capacities for a more coordinated and effective disaster response. Given its expanded mandate, OCD is working with relevant government agencies to promote a more effective mainstreaming of disaster risk considerations into development policies, planning and programming. Investments are being made in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in education through integration in school curriculum and teaching materials and in initiatives that will enhance the capacities of local government units in enhancing disaster preparedness and integration of disaster risk reduction in local development and land use planning. NDRRMC has further fortified its resolve to continue and intensify ongoing efforts in implementing disaster risk reduction initiatives that are holistic, comprehensive, and proactive in lessening the socio-economic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change. The approach to disaster risk management is one that is also inclusive with the participation of all sectors and stakeholders at all levels, particularly, the community. Recognizing that disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) are strongly interrelated, the NDRRM Framework has adopted CCA as one of its cross-cutting pillars. DRR is the first line of defense against impacts of climate change and thus must complement CCA measures and coping mechanisms being implemented by communities to enhance

A Review of the Armys Gains ... from page 6

was successfully rescued by the SOTF troops 16 days later, on June 19. The non-combat roles performed by the soldiers have made a significant impact among the local populace. Our friends among the Muslim communities are now providing information leading to the arrest of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits and seizure of several firearms. In one instance, the SOTF was able to collar a notorious ASG bandit Masib Yacob after he was being positively identified by a concerned resident while the former was freely roaming around Isabela City. This is followed by the arrest of Abduhrahman Andang, one of the participants of the Lamitan siege in 2001. He was thrown behind bars for his various criminal offenses including kidnapping and illegal detention. The series of armed clashes are also said to be the products of realtime intelligence provided by civilian tipsters. At least three separate encounters were recorded in the past two months resulting in the seizure of several highpowered firearms. Promoting Human Rights: The Noble Warriors Since its deployment in the area, the SOTF-Basilan has posted an excellent record on human rights protection. In many instances, the soldiers spared the lives of the accused terrorists when they (enemies) were no longer capable of fighting. Colonel Alexander Macario, the Commander of the SOTF Basilan, said that human rights protection is among his advocacies. I always remind the soldiers that battles are not always won by annihilating the enemies. Gone are the days that we are being accused as trigger-happy soldiers who do not care for collateral damage, he said. Macario said that his unit commanders are required to educate the soldiers about their roles as protectors of the people. He wanted to change the peoples negative perception about the military. In the past, the Muslim people consider the soldiers, most of whom are Christians, as their oppressors. It appears that the so-called Spanish expeditions which targeted the Muslim rebels who refused to bow before the Spanish authority during the colonial times, have left an indelible mark in the minds of our Muslim brothers, Macario explained. The recent events in the ground are good indications that the military is indeed gaining grounds in its security operations. Sustaining the fight Aware that the fight against the Abu Sayyaf cannot be won by bullets alone, the SOCOM Forces are continuously performing their missions. The Army leadership had issued the unit with fast sea crafts that are used to pursue the rebels even in the high seas. These assets were also instrumental for putting in check the smuggling activities in the Sulu Sea. To improve its capabilities, soldiers are also continuously undergoing missionessential training, at times assisted by its counterparts from the US Forces. Army Chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz is confident that the SOCOM forces can put to an end the Abu Sayyaf menace. He also believes that the soldiers can effectively perform its other role which is to support the development initiatives in the area. I have high hopes that our soldiers can make a difference in Basilan province. Winning Basilan is what will make us proud as soldiers, Lt. Gen Ortiz he said.

DND Joins National Government Expo and Trade Fair 2011

Shifting Gears from coordinating disasters to reducing and managing disaster risk. he acronym NDRRMC for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council comes a bit challenging to spell out for both the media and the public who had been used to hearing about the NDCC or the erstwhile National Disaster Coordinating Council. Even government officials initially needed extra effort to pronounce N-D-R-R-M-C when the term was officially adopted almost a year ago this July. After Republic Act 10121 or The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 was passed by the 14th Congress, the new Chairperson of the National Council, Secretary of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin oversaw the crafting of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which he approved on 27 September 2010. Thus, the expanded NDRRMC through its executive arm and secretariat, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) took further steps toward achieving the proactive shift from traditional disaster management which focused more on disaster response coordination, to disaster risk reduction and management. One of NDRRMCs significant differences in composition compared to NDCC is the provision for multi-sectoral representation in the national and local councils through the membership for representatives from civil society and the private sector. With the legal and institutional bases for disaster risk reduction and management in place, disaster risk reduction will be more intensively pursued at all levels of government as well as across various sectors. As required by RA 10121, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework (NDRRM Framework) has been developed by the NDRRMC following a series of regional and national consultations; and approved for adoption by the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the NDRRMC on 16 June 2011. The NDRRM Framework bears with it key principles, outcomes, and

climate risk management in the immediate and long-term. In the same vein, the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change has systematically integrated DRR concepts and agenda, following the mandate of Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, which requires that national and sub-national government policies, plans and programs are founded upon sound environmental considerations and sustainable development. Leveraging on these mutually supportive legal and institutional frameworks, a Memorandum of Understanding has been forged between the NDRRM Council and the Climate Change Commission in February 2011 as a means to harmonize multidisciplinary efforts, collaborate on mutually reinforcing initiatives, and synergize the use of resources for a more climate-smart disaster risk reduction and climate resilient development. Changing peoples mindset for a culture of disaster resilience To promote a culture of disaster resilience in the country, the OCD conducts sustained advocacy and outreach activities. Since 1999, the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) is

Usec. Eduardo G. Batac, USCVRA (right) with Sec. Hermino Colomo of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) (center) at the DND booth.

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The Department of National Defense (DND) through the Public Information Office was among the 45 government agencies/governmentowned, controlled corporations which took active part during the National Government Expo and Trade Fair held at the SM Mall of Asia on June 10-13, 2011. The DND photo exhibit featured the significant accomplishments and initiatives of the department as well as that of the different bureaus under it. Organized by the Kabisig Peoples Movement, a non-partisan, multi-sectoral voluntary movement of concerned citizens, this years expo theme was Maging Mabuting Pilipino: Makialam, Maki-alam at Makipagtulungan sa Pamahalaan. The four-day event was in pursuit of the mandate contained in Memorandum Circular No. 12 issued by Malacanang on December 9, 2010 authorizing all government agencies and instrumentalities to extend support and participation in the conduct of the Kabisig National Government Expo and Trade Fair 2011. During the event, the participating government offices and government financial institutions were able to showcase their respective profiles, service facilities and programs, projects, products and accomplishments of the national government.

All of these things we are doing will be wasted if we do not do something to end the culture of corruption. To my colleagues in public service, from those at the top and to every corner of the bureaucracy: Do we not feel the pride that working in government now brings? That, now, we are proud to be identified as workers in government?

What is wrong remains wrong, regardless of how long it has been allowed to persist. We cannot simply let it pass. If we ignore the crimes of the past, they will continue to haunt us. And if we do not hold people accountable, then they will do it again and again.

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From Page 5: Winning in Both Fronts: Two Army From Page 8:

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Soldiers Tale of Soldiery & Fatherhood

so as to create good memories about my presence, he explained. Stressing that soldiery is a tough job that needs tough soldiers, Ang said that it is a necessity that they (soldiers) must find a wife who understands their profession. It is a tough role to be a mother and a parent to raise children single-handedly most of the time. It should be noted that a soldier will be able to work best if he is confident that his family is well taken care of back home, he said. Golden moments When I was a Battalion Commander in Bataan, my wife used to request that my son be allowed to take the written exams in advance so that they can spend time with me longer during school breaks. Because I cant go home to spend vacation, my family usually come to my headquarters in the field to stay with me for a week or two. We made necessary adjustments to maintain our excellent relationship, he further expressed.

Shifting Towards a Safer, Adaptive and Disaster Resilient Philippines

I decided to bring them along with me in my new assignment. Our stay in Beijing was probably the best time in our lives. For three years, we lived normally as one happy family. My son became my barkada (best friend). That part of our lifetime as a family is priceless and I owe it to my military service, Ang confided.

Army Colonel ARTHUR ANG, Commander of the PA 901st IB with his wife and son during his assignment as Defense Attach to Beijing, China.

Winning in both fronts Among military men, winning both in the home front and in their military career is an outstanding accomplishment. Knowing that my son has never been into any vice is already a big success for me. He has acquired the right attitude of a Filipino citizen and he never bragged about his sol-

I think that children who are mistreated by their soldier-father tend to become rebellious.
As an enlisted man, Francisco usually avails of the 15-day Rest and Recreation (R&R) privilege once every six months. When he was posted in remote assignments, it meant he can spend only about 10 days with his family taking into consideration travel time. Whenever I am home, I maximized my time with my wife and children. Every moment was an opportunity to make up for my absence by being with them all the time. I keep telling myself that I am a Scout Ranger, therefore, I can do everything for the welfare of everybody especially for my family, he affirmed. When Ang was posted for three years as a military attache in China in 2006, his family made a difficult choice. He convinced his son who was a BS Economics sophomore in UP Los Banos to temporarily quit his college studies to join him to Beijing. All that he wanted was to strengthen his relationship with his son. He noticed that his son was closer to his mom and that he was drifting away from him. Despite the feeling that I was not a stranger to him, my son seemed to confide more to his mother. Somehow, I envied my wife so dier-father nor abuse his fathers position. I could not contain my happiness knowing that he has appreciated my military service and that he fully appreciates the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families in the service of our country. He never whined about my continuous absence. I also owe everything to my loving and supportive wife, Evangeline. To become a General officer is already a bonus for me and I will repay our country with my honest and dedicated service until my retirement day in August 2015, Ang humbly vowed. Meanwhile, as the most ranking noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the Philippine Army, Francisco is at the pinnacle of his career. Having been recognized as one of the most respected NCO-leaders in the AFP, he is also an awardee of Metrobank and Rotary Club Makati-Metros The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers in 2007. Truly, he is an accomplished soldier. Francisco is now busy doing some rounds among Army field units and consulting with the soldiers while sharing his lifes valuable lessons. Proud of his six well-disciplined chil-

dren, Francisco said that they are his main accomplishments. He aims to motivate his fellow soldiers to follow his path. For the past years, I have not celebrated Fathers Day but I did this year. I did it by setting myself as an example that being a good soldier-father is very much possible. The dual role of being a father and a soldier is a challenge that we need to overcome and succeed. Yes, having a good career is rewarding but having a wonderful family is truly satisfying personally and spiritually. And to respectfully quote and modify few lines from George Skypecks poem:

I was that which others did not want to beI asked nothing from those who gave nothing. And reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness... should I fail. I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love. I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday, I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...a soldierand a good father to my family, Francisco selfeffacingly said in closing.

held during the month of July every year. This years theme is: Makialam. Makiisa. Sa Pagsugpo ng Panganib may Maitutulong Ka, which encourages and empowers the people, the community, and the entire nation to take proactive steps toward disaster risk reduction. The Gawad KALASAG Awards, a nationwide search for excellence in the field of disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance, is also regularly conducted by the NDRRMC National Selection Committee, chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The search is conducted nationwide recognizing the exceptional contributions of the various DRM practitioners in rebuilding the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. The national awarding of Gawad KALASAG winners, which is traditionally held at the Malacaang Palace, will be on 12 October this year (coinciding with the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management and International Day for Disaster Reduction). The OCD, as the National Focal Point for the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), the global blueprint and policy for disaster risk reduction, affirms its commitment by continuing to build resilience in individuals, families, communities, and institutions and ensuring that the country can build back better when a disaster occurs. The Philippines, through OCD, is also taking an active role in the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response. After a year of steering, the Administrator of OCD turned over the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee for Disaster Management to Singapore in February this year. Further, the Philippines, as current Chair of the Regional Consultative Committee of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, prioritizes the need to scale up community level action for DRR in all high risk communities in Asia. Pursuing an evidence-based approach to disaster risk reduction, the OCD continues to work with various international organizations and partners to conduct hazard mapping and risk assessments of high-risk provinces in the country, including a comprehensive risk assessment study of Metro Manila. A study on risk transfer is also being conducted to expand financing options by the government to man-

age the economic impacts of disasters. Working together with institutions and stakeholders like business, media, professional associations, civil society, and the general public, the OCD will continue to sustain its momentum towards enhancing the countrys resilience to disasters and attain sustainable development. As demonstrated in the past year, proactive disaster risk communication particularly prior to impending typhoons such as Juan in October 2010 and Falcon just last month, early warnings were issued by PAGASA which the media disseminated and the public headed. Following the guidance of H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III, council members down to the community levels have instituted responsive measures so as to avoid disaster losses in terms of lives, properties and means of livelihood.

the country increased drastically by more than 17 times. Accordingly, the country can expect to lose US$ 1.208 billion (or almost Php 56 billion at current exchange rate) every 20 years due to natural disasters. The Report also reveals that, while governments may have improved its disaster preparedness measures such as preemptive evacuation, a large portion of the population and societal assets are still very much at risk due to rapid urbanization. The Philippines is still one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The countrys exposure to disasters is to a large extent due to its geographical location and physical characteristics. Climate risk includes exposure to super typhoons and other extreme weather, El Nio related droughts, projected rainfall change and projected temperature increase. The Department of Agriculture (DA) estimates that the total agricultural production losses under a mild El Nio scenario could reach PhP 8.09 billion, and PhP 20.46 billion under a severe dry spell. Flooding is another serious hazard facing the country due to rains brought about by typhoons and the monsoon. Further, being located in the tectonically active Ring of Fire, the country is exposed to numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Natural hazards will always be with us, but disasters need not be. NDRRMC will continue to develop and enhance the countrys capacities to address the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthen local and national institutions for disaster risk reduction and management, and build the resilience of the people, especially in these times of a changing climate.
Meanwhile, as the Filipino people outgrow the tongue-twisting acronym of N-D-R-R-M-C, the task at hand is to put into action the paradigm shifting frameworks and plans set by the Council.

Looking anew at the big picture of disasters and their development impacts The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reductions Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2011 shows that globally more people are being protected from disasters. The risk of being killed by a cyclone or flood is lower today than it was 20 years ago. However, this is not the case for those who live in a country with weak governance. The bigger bad news is that economic damage and losses have increased due to the same disasters. What is more alarming is that across all regions, economic losses continue to be in an upward spiral and seriously threaten the economies of low-income countries. The same trends are apparent in the Philippines. According to a UNISDR - World Bank report in 2010, in the last 30 years, even though the number of disaster events has tripled, the reported number of deaths has decreased slightly and the number of affected population staying more or less the same, but the economic losses incurred by

We are steering our government in a clear direction. A country where opportunity is available; where those in need are helped; where everyones sacrifices are rewarded; and where those who do wrong are held accountable.

Let us end the culture of negativism; let us uplift our fellow Filipinos at every opportunity. Why are there people who enjoy finding fault in our country, who find it so hardas though it were a sinto say something nice? Let us make the effort to recognize the good that is being done. If you see something right, do not think twicepraise it.