The Civil and Public Affairs (CPA) Center commits to create impact and drive positive changes to communities in pursuit of uplifting the lives of the Filipino people. CIVIL AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS (CPA) CENTER HISTORY
Introduction
The Philippine Army supports the conduct of various civil affairs-related activities across the archipelago through its numerous civil-military operations units. One of the
se units is the Civil-Military Operations Regiment (CMOR) which is tasked to provide CMO support in the accomplishment of the Philippine Army’s mission. The Civil and Public Affairs (CPA) Center is one of those proud specialized units of the Regiment that could trace its novel birth to the colorful history of civil-military operations in the Philippine Army brimming with relevant and dynamic accomplishments of its mission despite the changes of time and environment. It is a specialized unit that provides civil affairs and public affairs support to the Philippine Army Major Units (PAMUs) in the conduct of focused and purposive CMO in order to promote peace and development through non-violent means. The CPA Center (henceforth referred to as “The Center”) recognizes the inherent interaction between the civil environment, the stakeholders and the civic programs, as well as the importance of these three elements to the accomplishment of the CMOR’s mission. Historical Background
With the Philippine Army seeking to achieve its long-term vision of becoming “a world class Army that is a source of national pride by 2028” by transforming itself into a credible, reliable, responsive, mission-capable and professional organization, it initiated the gradual adoption of the PA Medium Term Force Structure which started in 2017. In 2022, CMOR, being granted a REGULAR STATUS as a regiment, operationalized the CPA Center as part of the Philippine Army Medium Term Force Structure 2022-2028 which aims to facilitate the Civil Affairs and Public Affairs programs of the Philippine Army at the strategic and operational levels. Initially, the PsyOps Center, as a separate unit, was provisionally activated on 08 July 2019. However, per review and assessment conducted by this Regiment by the command of BRIGADIER GENERAL ARVIN REYES LAGAMON PA, it was found necessary to establish a Civil and Public Affairs Center to help effectively address the CMO requirements of the Regiment in support of Army operations on the operational and strategic levels and to bring together its various stakeholders in a single platform. In this regard, BGen Lagamon commissioned LTC Sonny E Gonzales GSC (INF) PA, Chief of Staff, CMOR, LTC Richard P Villaflor (INF) PA, former G3, CMOR, and Cpt Rafael D Nable (MI) PA, former G1/Adjutant, CMOR, to draft and formalize the CPA concept. Finally, CMOR organized and activated the CPA Center (Provisional) on 03 August 2022 pursuant to General Orders Number 114, CMOR dated 29 July 2022. Major Norley C Oropesa (INF) PA was appointed as the Director of the CPA Center. The Regiment anchors its projects, activities, and programs to the national-level partnership programs namely: Community Education program, Community Livelihood Program, Community Infrastructure Program, and Community Welfare Program. Said programs are all interrelated and can be synthesized into one focus--the mission of the CPA Center which is to conduct civil affairs and public affairs operations in support of the Philippine army’s mission through the assistance of various stakeholders, locally and internationally. The Civil Affairs activities are geared towards building and strengthening relationships with the civilian government and non-government organizations to promote public trust among the populace. Public Affairs activities involve conduct of information related activities directed to external public to ensure a clear, accurate and timely dissemination of information. It is likewise performed to establish and maintain constructive relations with the communities. The Center also continues to complement operational efficiency with enduring partnership with the various stakeholders in different sectors of society in the pursuit of lasting peace and progress. The list of partner-stakeholders continues to increase garnering their support and collaborating with one another to pursue various advocacies being espoused by the Regiment. Committed to making a significant difference and driving positive changes to communities in pursuit of uplifting our fellowmen’s lives, the CPA Center is operationalized to be the channel in providing sustainable solutions to the most pressing problems of vulnerable sectors in the country through the conduct of community-based projects. It is composed of well-disciplined and well-prepared soldiers who have accomplished among others, public information activities, community relations activities, civil relations and civic action (CIVAC) activities and information support activities. With these feats, the CPA Center aims to win the support of every partner-stakeholder and the Filipino people all over the country. It will remain to be a relevant component in the accomplishment of the overall mission of the Philippine Army as it continues to embark on diverse CMO activities specifically on Civil Affairs and Public Civil Affairs. # # #
