INTRODUCTION
Secretary Mita Pardo de Tavera; Secretary Renato de Villa, chairman and president of FILVETS itself; RR de la Cruz, our indefatigable campaign director since the beginning; fellow workers in government; fellow donors; fellow veterans; and I am happy to see here the leaders of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, among others; mga mahal na kababayan.

Today we break two very important rules of protocol. One, is that one which says the president and the first lady should not really speak separately during one occasion, for indeed, we speak with one voice.

There is a higher protocol that we observe in our household at Arlegui. And that is, that when the first lady speaks, the president should not speak anymore. And so, I would have gladly given up my place before the rostrum to the first lady because she always has a special message and appeal when it comes to occasions like this. But let me speak for both of us.

The other one pertains to not having any other speakers during a single occasion where the president is the speaker. But, again, let’s break that rule. And let me provide therefore additional inspiration to all of you so that the expected fund campaign targets will not only be exceeded but will be multiplied.

Today marks the beginning of Veterans Week, a period that has been designated to honor our war veterans from today up to the 11th of April 1993. And so today, we pay tribute to these gallant men and women who offered their lives so that we could enjoy the blessings of freedom and democracy.

While tradition dictates that we celebrate Veterans Week, we do not need really to be prodded to uphold the cause for which our veterans fought for and even died. They deserve our highest respect, admiration and support for their legacy of heroism and valor. And to them we are ever grateful.
THE FUND CAMPAIGN
For the last three years, our countrymen have continued to respond positively to our appeal for much-needed financial support for our living war heroes and their descendants. And my sincere appreciation therefore goes to all the dedicated men and women who have made our foundation, the FILVETS, a reality.

And again, I would like to warmly congratulate Secretary De Villa; Mrs. Ramos; Dr. Mita Pardo de Tavera; Administrator Valencia; Andres Soriano III and Oscar Hilado; as well as all the other officers and members of the board of trustees and the campaign organization for keeping our foundation on track.

It is only fitting that on occasions like this, we call to mind those who steered successfully the previous FILVETS fund campaigns. We feel deeply indebted to now Congressman Sonny Belmonte, at that time the president of the GSIS, Andy Soriano III again and Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and of course, RR de la Cruz, the indestructible. To these highly respected gentlemen, I extend on behalf of our veteran-beneficiaries, the gratitude of our nation.
OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR VETERANS
It has always been my personal goal and commitment to give the veteran, his widow and children, a more dignified place in our society. When I was Secretary of National Defense, I fully supported all veterans benefit projects. The rehabilitation and then the subsequent opening of the Philippine Veterans Bank is among this. The upgrading and standardization of benefits for our veterans and their heirs under RA 6948 is another.

As further proof of our recognition of the veteran’s courage and patriotism, we established the Office of Undersecretary of Veterans and Reserve Affairs in the Defense Department under the administration of Secretary de Villa. A full-time undersecretary in the person of Undersecretary Gidaya now assists the secretary of national defense in overseeing, supervising, coordinating and monitoring all veteran-related activities and concerns. I have also posted to Washington DC a special envoy in the person of Brigadier General Tagumpay Nañandiego, retired, who is here, to attend to our veterans’ claims with the US government.

There are also several initiatives in place designed to make the veteran a little more self-sufficient and a little more capable of coping with the times. Perhaps, we may not be able to acknowledge all of these ongoing efforts individually, but let it not be said that this administration has been remiss in its constitutional duty to “provide immediate and adequate care, benefits and other forms of assistance to war veterans, veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans.”
DOING YOUR SHARE
It is time to fulfill our obligations to our veterans, many of whom passed away, poor and unhappy. This is what motivated the founders of FILVETS to establish that organization.

I commend the laudable efforts of our campaign volunteers who are sacrificing their valuable time and effort to raise funds for our veterans. And I call upon the rest of our citizenry to join generously in this FILVETS fund campaign.

I also commend the government officials who have agreed to help this worthy cause. Heavy as their load is, in their respective government assignments, they have managed to devote time to their duties as fund campaign volunteers of FILVETS.

The various government financing institutions and government corporations which have generously donated to FILVETS deserve special mention. And I am happy to see that they are again actively supporting FILVETS. I urge the more affluent among our government financing institutions and government corporations to authorize substantial donations for FILVETS, notwithstanding our policy on austerity. The FILVETS cause is a most meritorious one. In a way, FILVETS is helping the government by extending assistance to our war veterans, their widows and their sons and daughters, and even grandsons and granddaughters.
CLOSING
In these crucial times when we are exerting our utmost in building a better and stronger Philippines in preparation for the year 2000, it is important that we cover all aspects of our national endeavor.

But in our concern for the rehabilitation of our economy and the strengthening of our nation, let us not overlook the rehabilitation of our human resources and institutions, especially our veterans.

I enjoin the whole nation to generously support the FILVETS fund campaign which I am pleased to launch this afternoon, the first day of this year’s Veterans Week celebration with my own contribution, which is my monthly pay for April 1993. I am not authorized to pledge Mrs. Ramos’ monthly salary because the last time I did that; I never heard the end of it. But I’m sure she will make her own decision in that direction.

So ladies and gentlemen, especially the leaders of industry, our banking and financial community, as well as all concerned Filipinos, let us help our war veterans by generously supporting the FILVETS fund drive.

In closing, let me declare officially the 1993 FILVETS fund drive open.

And to all of you, our sincerest appreciation in advance for your generous contributions this afternoon and thereafter.

Mabuhay ang mga beterano!

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.