The DND Structure
relative to
Strategic Communication
(Office of the Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Strategic Concerns
per Administrative Order No. 218)
SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
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Background (AO 218)
Functional Areas of USLASC
Current Structure per AO 218
Current OPLA Set-Up
Functions of USLASC relative to OPLA
Functions of OPLA
Staffing
 Actual
 Proposed (EO 366)
Advantages, Disadvantages
(Issues, Concerns, Limitations)
Administrative Order No. 218
dated January 18, 2009
“Reorganizing the Department of National
Defense to Strengthen its Capability and Ensure its
Efficiency to Adequately Respond to Current
Exigencies in National Security, to Achieve the
Implementation of its Defense Reform Program,
and to Attain All Its Other Legally Mandated
Goals”
5th para –
WHEREAS, the DND is now fast-tracking
the implementation of the Philippine
Defense Reform Program; and there is a need
to make the DND organization more attuned
with the requirements of the said program;
Section 2. Re-Assignment of Respective
Functional Areas to Second Level Positions
of the Department:
C.
The functional areas assigned to the
Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and
Strategic Concerns (USLASC) shall be as
follows:
i) Legal
matters
and
strategic
concerns
ii) Legislative and public affairs
iii) Strategic assessment
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
International Policy
Counter-Terrorism
Human Rights
DND Representative to the
Dangerous Drugs Board
viii) Strategic Communication:
- Public and Legislative Affairs
- Public Information
- Congressional Liaison
Current Structure
per AO 218
Secretary of National Defense
Undersecretary
(USLASC)
Assistant Secretary for
Strategic Assessment
Office for Public &
Legislative Affairs
Office for Legal Service
Functions of USLASC relative to OPLA 1. Evaluate the report on the review of existing
communication policies, doctrines, plans and programs of
the DND and its bureaus/agencies to ensure compliance
with the Constitution and existing laws, rules and regulations;
2. Provide guidance in the formulation of communication
policies, doctrines, plans and programs of the DND and its
bureaus/agencies;
3. Supervise, coordinate and provide direction for the
implementation of communication policies, doctrines, plans
and programs of the DND and its bureaus/agencies relative
to strategic communication, public affairs and information;
and
4. Advise the Secretary on matters pertaining to strategic
communication, public affairs and information.
Functions of OASSA 1. Conduct periodic strategic assessments of the external
security environment as well as foreign developments and
impact on RP defense policies and interest;
2. Assess and review treaties, military alliances and security
arrangements;
3. Formulate, review and supervise the implementation of
bilateral defense cooperation agreements;
4. Formulate, review and supervise the implementation of
policies and plans pertaining to international defense and
security, to include peacekeeping operations and multinational
coalition operations;
Functions of OASSA –
5. Serve as the focal point for inter-departmental/agency
review and monitoring of bilateral and multilateral agreements
on terrorism and transnational crimes;
6. Supervise the implementation of our foreign intelligence
gathering programs;
7. Undertake studies on the integration of military and nonmilitary aspects of national defense and assess all external
defense plans; and
8.
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
Functions of OLS – (Section 17, Chapter 3, Book IV, EO 292 –
Administrative Code of 1987)
1.
Provide legal advise to the Department;
2. Interpret laws and rules affecting the operation of the
Department;
3. Prepare and/or review contracts and instruments to which
the Department is a party; review the process and interpret the
provisions of the contracts, and submit recommendations
prior to the Department’s dispositive action;
4. Assist in the promulgation of rules and policies governing
the activities of the Department;
Functions of OLS – (Section 17, Chapter 3, Book IV, EO 292 –
Administrative Code of 1987)
5. Prepare comments in matters of legislation in order to
promote the Department’s interest;
6. Review and act on court martial cases, Efficiency and
Separation Board (ESB) cases, and other administrative cases
prior to the Department’s dispositive action;
7. Prosecute, appear or assist the Solicitor General in suits
involving the Department or its offices, or act as the principal
counsel in all actions taken in an official capacity before
judicial/quasi-judicial or administrative bodies;
8. Review and submit recommendations on any case appealed
to the Department;
Functions of OLS – (Section 17, Chapter 3, Book IV, EO
292 –Administrative Code of 1987)
9.
Information Technology Management;
10. Answer legal queries from the public; and
11. Perform such other functions as may be provided by
law or as directed by the Department Head.
Functions of OPLA 1. Review existing communication policies, doctrines, plans
and programs of the DND and its bureaus/agencies to ensure
compliance with the Constitution and existing laws, rules and
regulations;
2. Formulate communication policies, doctrines, plans and
programs of the DND and its bureaus/agencies and submit
such to the Secretary through the Undersecretary for approval;
3. Spearhead the implementation of communication
policies, doctrines, plans and programs of the DND and its
bureaus/agencies relative to strategic communication, public
affairs and information; and
4. Advise the Undersecretary and Secretary on matters
pertaining to strategic communication, public affairs and
information.
Current Set-Up
Secretary of National Defense
CS to SND
SMA to SND
MA on PA
AC, OPLA
Undersecretary
OPLA
Chief of Office
Community Relations &
Special Projects Division
Public Information
Division
Adhoc StratCom Group
Craft daily media lines on current
& emerging issues affecting
national security, the defense &
military establishment
Legislative
Affairs Division
Research, Monitoring
& Publications Division
Current
OPLA Set up
Chief of Office
(Director III)
vacant
Admin Support Staff
*Staff/Personnel – 4 (military)
Information Officer II (SG 15)
(Operations
Officer/RSO/SDO)
- NELSON L. GALLARDE
Information Officer I (SG 11)
(Admin Officer)
- CARMELITA L. BRIONES
Utility Worker I (SG 1)
(Utility/Messenger)
-GLORIA A. BANTAOTAO
Community Relations &
Special Projects Division
Public Information
Division
Public Relations Officer IV (SG 22)
(Division Chief/Writer/Editor)
- MARINA M. AGUSTIN
Cinematographer I (SG 10)
(Division Chief/News Writer)
- FLORENCE V. BALMACEDA
*Staff/Personnel – 3
*Staff – 3 (1 military)
Electronics & Communications
Equipment Technician II (SG 8)
(Pictorial Section Chief)
- JORGE M. MARCOS
Intel Agent Aide I (SG 4/Casual)
(News Writer)
- EVA B. DELOS SANTOS
Photographer I (SG 5)
(Still/Video Cameraman)
-RENATO P. ALBA
Public Relations Assistant (SG 8)
(Records Officer)
- REYNALDA S. ABABON
Assistant Information Officer (SG 8)
(Media Coordinator)
- NENA N. BADIOLA
Driver II (SG 4/Casual)
(Still/Video Cameraman/Driver)
FRED A. ABUDA
*SSG JAVIER PASCUAL PA
(Computer Operator/Driver)
Legislative
Affairs Division
Research, Monitoring
& Publications Division
Legislative Staff Officer V (SG 22)
(Division Chief/Writer/Editor/
Liaison to both House of Congress)
-- ROSANNA E. BAROA
Information Officer IV (SG 22)
(Division Chief/Speechwriter/
Analyst/Editor)
- CRESENCIO S. SERVANO, JR.
*Staff – 1
Admin Aide IV (SG 4)
(Driver/Courier)
*Staff – 2 (2 military)
Information Officer II (SG 15)
(Records Officer/Librarian/News
Clipper)
- CORAZON M. NATIVIDAD
Secretary II (SG 9)
(Researcher)
- ZENAIDA R. PETUCO
*CPL DANILO LAGUITAN PA
*CPL EDGAR CENTUS PA
(Broadcast News Monitors/
Message Center Receiving Clerks)
Current OPLA Set up
& Functions
-Takes
Chief of Office
Community Relations &
Special Projects Division
1. Take charge of requests for public
assistance relative to veterans benefits
claims & solicitations for financial
assistance from civic organizations/
foundations for the welfare of the
marginalized sectors of society and the
general public and recommend to the
SND the proper course of action; and
coordinate with NGOs on matters
pertaining to public assistance and
community welfare projects;
2. Plan & organize special projects as
photo exhibits/displays in coordination
with the Public Information Division;
3. Provide support for press conferences
and other engagements of SND and
DND-AFP officials and staff; and
4. Organize and manage activities/events
relating to public affairs, public
information, media and community
relations.
Public Information
Division
1. Prepare press/photo releases and other
articles for dissemination to the media on
speaking engagements and activities of the
SND, the DND and its bureaus/agencies;
2. Coordinate with mediamen covering the
defense
and
military
establishment,
organize and provide photo coverage for
press conferences and other speaking
engagements of the SND, and coordinate
the availability of concerned officials and
staff of the DND and its bureaus/agencies;
3.
Record and transcribe tapes of
engagements of the SND and other DND
officials for documentation purposes;
4. Provide support in the set-up of photo
exhibits/displays in coordination with the
Special Projects Division
charge of all matters
pertaining
to
public/media
relations,
public
information,
public assistance & congressional
liaison.
Legislative
Affairs Division
1. Compile and monitor developments on
DND-AFP related bills filed in both
Houses of Congress and prepare periodic
reports to the Chief of Office and the
Department Head;
2. Liaison with concerned Committees in
both Houses of Congress regarding
Committee Hearings and coordinate the
attendance of DND-AFP officials and
staff;
3. Monitor progress/developments of
Technical Working Groups on DND-AFP
related bills; and
4. Coordinate with the PLLO and the
legislative liaison officers and/or staff
representing various executive, legislative
and judicial branches of government
involved in the legislative liaison system
pertaining to legislations of common
concern and those affecting national
security, the defense and military
establishment.
Research, Monitoring
& Publications Division
1.
Monitor news items, articles,
publications and broadcasts relative to the
defense and military establishment and
provide summaries/analyses;
2.
Collate and compile all such
publications and record/tape radio
and/or TV broadcasts on DND-AFP
related
matters
for
records
purposes/reference;
3. Draft speeches, messages for the SND
and compile all written records of
speaking engagements of the SND; and
4. Provide editorial services for DND
reports/publications.
Office for Public & Legislative Affairs
(Proposed)
Chief of Office
(Director)
(Director IV – SG 28)
*Administrative Support Staff
Administrative Assistant III (SG 9)
Administrative Aide V (SG 5)
(Driver/Courier/Messenger)
Public Affairs &
Special Projects Division
Strategic & Legislative
Affairs Division
Research &
Publications Division
Chief Communications Development Officer (SG 24)
(Division Chief )
Chief Communications Development Officer (SG 24)
(Division Chief)
Chief Communications Development Officer (SG 24)
(Division Chief )
*Staff Writers/Technical Staff/Personnel - 8
*Staff - 4
*Staff/Speech Writers/Researchers – 5
Public Relations Officer IV (SG 22)
Public Relations Officer III (SG 18)
Public Relations Officer II (SG15)
Public Relations Officer I (SG 11)
(Records Officer)
Photographer/Photojourn V (SG 15)
(Still/Videocam)
2 Photographers/Photojourn III (SG 9)
(Still/Videocam)
Administrative Aide IV (SG 4)
(Driver/Courier/Messenger)
2 Department Legislative Liaison Specialist IV (SG 22)
Legislative Staff Officer I (SG 11)
(Records Officer)
Administrative Aide IV (SG 4)
(Driver/Courier/Messenger)
Information Officer IV (SG 22)
(Staff/Speech Writer)
Information Officer III (SG 18)
(Staff/Speech Writer)
Information Officer II (SG 15)
(Records Officer/Researcher)
Information Officer I (SG 11)
(Writer/Researcher)
Administrative Aide IV (SG 4)
(Utility/Courier/Messenger)
Office for Public & Legislative Affairs
1.
Review existing communication policies,
doctrines, plans and programs of the DND and its
bureaus/agencies to ensure compliance with the
Constitution and its existing laws, rules and
regulations;
2. Formulate communication policies, doctrines,
plans and programs of the DND and its
bureaus/agencies and submit such to the Secretary
through the Undersecretary for approval;
3. Spearhead the implementation of communication
policies, doctrines, plans and programs of the DND
and its bureaus/agencies relative to strategic
communication, public affairs and information;
(Proposed)
Chief of Office
(Director)
Deputy Chief of Office
(Deputy Director)
4 Advise the Undersecretary and Secretary on
matters pertaining to strategic communication,
public affairs and information.
Public Affairs &
Special Projects Division
Strategic & Legislative
Affairs Division
1. Formulate, coordinate and disseminate
strategic-level public affairs guidance
with integrated themes and messages for
the DND and its bureaus/agencies; and
develop and disseminate strategic
communication and information to
internal and external audiences of the
defense and military establishment, to
include the defense and military attaches,
the diplomatic corps, our foreign allies
and the general public;
1. Formulate and implement strategic
communication
plans
that
convey
coordinated and integrated themes and
messages intended for the executive,
legislative and judicial branches of
government;
2. Coordinate the collation, verification
and authorization for release of
unclassified defense information to the
general public;
3. Coordinate with the AFP in ensuring
that DND/AFP activities pertaining to
civil-military operations are consistent
with strategic communication goals;
2. Develop strategic communication and
information and coordinate the collation,
verification and authorization for release
of unclassified defense information
intended for the executive, legislative and
judicial branches of government;
3. Coordinate with representatives of the
executive, legislative and judicial branches
of government involved in the legislative
liaison system on matters pertaining to
legislations of common concern as well as
those affecting national security, the
defense and military establishment;
- Supervise the overall operations of the office
and ensure the effective performance of the core
functions
- Take charge of administrative matters, including
logistics
support
and
human
resource
development/ training
Research &
Publications Division
1. Undertake research in support of the
other
Divisions
relative
to
the
formulation and implementation of
strategic communication plans that
convey consistent and integrated themes
and messages, as well as assist in the
development and dissemination of such
to the internal and external audiences of
the DND and its bureaus/agencies;
2. Collate information, provide news
analysis, track issues and monitor media
coverage of defense and security
matters;
3. Prepare speeches, messages and other
official
correspondences,
communications for the Secretary and
other defense officials;
Office for Public & Legislative Affairs
(Proposed)
Chief of Office
(Director)
Deputy Chief of Office
(Deputy Director)
Public Affairs &
Special Projects Division
Strategic & Legislative
Affairs Division
Research &
Publications Division
4. Organize, coordinate and provide staff
support for press conferences and
coordinate media availability of concerned
officials and staff of the DND and its
bureaus/agencies; and provide in-house
coverage of activities/events of the DND
and its bureaus/agencies for records/
documentation purposes;
4. Monitor and liaison with concerned
congressional committees and legislators
on matters relative to legislations affecting
national security, the defense and military
establishment;
4.
Monitor the implementation of
strategic communication plans and
programs as well as develop and devise
means for assessing the effectiveness of
such to include audience reaction/
feedback;
5. Organize and manage all activities/
events relating to public affairs, public
information,
media
&
community
relations; and
6.
Develop and implement special
projects
consistent
with
strategic
communication goals.
5. Coordinate attendance of the concerned
DND official/staff and office/bureau/
agency in congressional hearings on
legislations relating to national security,
the defense and military establishment;
and
6. Compile records of proposed and
approved legislations pertaining to
national security, the defense and military
establishment.
5. Develop and manage the publication of
information
materials/references
on
national defense and security; and
6. Organize, manage and maintain a
database for defense information and
historical archive for the DND.
ADVANTAGES
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It is the existing link of the DND with the PIOs/PAOs
of its bureaus/agencies and with the PIOs of other
government agencies (DEVCOMNET)
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A certain number of personnel have undergone
STRATCOM seminar-workshops which would give
them a working knowledge (though limited) on the
subject
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The existing structure has been the public relations arm
of the DND, and what is needed is merely to
reorient/reinforce the knowledge, skills/technical
knowhow of the personnel on STRATCOM
ISSUES & CONCERNS
(disadvantages/limitations)
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Lack of staff/personnel/plantilla positions
Writers (News & Speech writers)
(Most of the staff/personnel hold clerical
positions)
Legislative Liaison Staff
Researchers
Transcribers
Records Officer
Photographers/Videographers
Outmoded Audio-Video Equipment
Antiquated transport vehicles
Thank you.