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.
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 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
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.
PVAO EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT PROGRAM
The Educational Benefit Program is one of the non-pension benefits administered and managed by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office . Section 3 of the Republic Act No. 6948 outlines the eligibility, nature, and limitations of the program.