It was 1972 when a handful of concerned individuals decided to address the reality of vocations in the Philippines more systematically and vigorously. At the beginning their group was called the “National Board on Vocations.”  Their very first meeting was held at the Pius XII Catholic Center, Manila on March 14, 1972, a day after the National Center of Vocations formally began operation in the same place. This group was then composed of the following:

1. Most Rev.Ricardo J. Vidal, D.D.
2. Most Rev. Antonio Frondosa, D.D.
3. Most. Rev. Artemio G. Casas, D.D.
4. Msgr. Justino C. Ortiz, D.P.
5. Fr. Cirilo Almario
6. Fr. Venancio Samson
7. Fr.Simeon Valerio, SVD
8. Fr.Jesus Ma. Cavanna, C.M.
9. Mr.Armando L.Mercado

The first important accomplishment of the National Board on Vocations was the
 formulation of the Plan of Action for Vocations in the Philippines, entitled “A Pastoral Approach to the Vocation Apostolate.” The Plan of Action was the result of a series of meetings at Pius XII.  The same plan was submitted by the Board to the Episcopal Commission on Vocations which immediately presented the plan for the CBCP’s approval.  In July 22, 1974 the Plan of Action was approved by the CBCP.  After its approval in 1974, it was transmitted to the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education.

Two months earlier, on May 20-22, 1974 during the first National Convention of the Directors/Directresses of the Vocations, the: D.V.P.: (Directors of Vocations in the Philippines) was formally organized with the following officers;

President                                              Fr.Gregorio Mirto, Jr.
Vice-Pres. (Luzon)                               Fr.Steve Villarosa, SVD
Vice-Pres. (Visayas)                             Fr.Ben Lepatan
Vice-Pres.(Mindanao)                          Fr.Patrice Picard, P.M.E.
Treasurer                                              Bro.Tito Silverio, SJ
Secretary                                              Sr.Ma.Soledad Perpinan, RGS

From the formal organization to the present, the ECV-DVP has gone through the following leadership:

Chairmen (ECV)

1972 - 1983                                         Most Rev. Ricardo J. Vidal, D.D.
1983 - 1990                                         Most Rev. Wilfredo Manlapaz, D.D.

Chairmen (ECV)

1990 - 1999                                         Most. Rev. Vicente M. Navarra, D.D.
1999 - 2006                                         Most Rev. Antonieto D. Cabajog, D.D.
2006 -                                                  Most Rev. Florentino G. Lavarias, D.D.

National Coordinators (DVP)

1974  - 1982                                        Fr. Gregorio Mirto, Jr.
1982 -  1984                                        Fr. Gene Caldeo, Jr.
1984  - 1990                                        Fr. Eleaquim Suela, OFM
1990  - 1998                                        Fr. Roberto O. Reyes
1998 -  2004                                        Fr. Rolly R. Agustin
2004 -  Present                                    Fr. Jason H. Laguerta

The ECV-DVP has for the last 32 years pursued relevant vocation programs through:

a). Vigorous coordination with all Diocesan and Religious Coordinators on the national and religious levels.

b). National Conventions which provided policy directions for the formulation of guidelines and strategies for coordination, implementation, and evaluation of vocation activities.

c). Development of training programs for the formation and enhancement of skills, updating of knowledge of vocation directors/directresses.  At present, the DVP facilitates four modules for Vocation animators:

            Phase 1 – Basic Orientation Seminar on Vocation Animation
            Phase 2 - Spiritual Direction in Vocation Discernment
            Phase 3 – Family Relations in the Vocation Journey
           Phase 4 - Human Sexuality in the Vocation Journey

d). Monitoring of developments and situations crucial to the integrity of vocations from promotion, recruitment, and entry into a chosen and specific vocation.  For instance, in the past few years, the ECV-DVP has issued guidelines regarding “indiscriminate vocation recruitment”.

First organized in 1974 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines  (CBCP), the Directors of Vocations in the Philippines (DVP) is composed of vocation directors/ directresses and lay vocation promoters from dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, secular institutes and lay associations.

DVP aims to provide a comprehensive pastoral approach to vocation promotions apostolate by:

1. promoting vocations to the diocesan and religious priesthood, the religious life, the secular institutes, and the missionary life.
2. fostering religious and apostolic spirit among the vocation directors/directresses. Priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, lay groups,  and vocation prospects

Guided by the general orientations of Vatican II on Vocation Promotions, DVP strives to mobilize the “whole Christian community to foster vocations so that sufficient provisions are made for the needs of the sacred ministry throughout the entire. Church.”

DVP also has a responsibility to implement the resolutions of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). It coordinates with dioceses, parishes, schools, and other ecclesial communities, in the effort to encourage and stimulate vocational awareness and activities.

DVP Main Functions

1. To serve as a national coordinating center in promoting, informing, recruiting, screening and accompanying vocations to the priestly and consecrated life.

2. To initiate vocation promotions activities and to assist in the on-going formation of vocation promoters.

3. To collaborate in the use of mass media for the promotion of vocations and to disseminate printed information materials relevant to the promotion of vocation.

The DVP Officers

1. National Coordinator
   National Finance Officer
   National Executive Secretary
        -Religious and Lay

2. Regional Coordinators of
   National Capital Region (NCR)
   Northern Luzon
   Central Luzon
   Southern Luzon
   Western Visayas
   Central Visayas
   Eastern Visayas
   Mindanao

Duties of the National DVP Officers

1. Call, organize, and evaluate the National Convention.
2. Carry out and implement common programs.
3. Encourage the formation of regional groups and coordinate their proper functioning.
4. Maintain the functional stability of the organization.

The DVP Board of Directors

1. The Episcopal Commission on Vocations of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
2. The National Vocation Director
3. The DVP National Officers

Functions of the Board of Directors

1. Meet at least once a year.
2. Supervise and review the work of the organization.
3. Determine the general guidelines of the organization.

Membership

      Application for membership in the DVP must be submitted to the DVP National Office.  Members pay an annual membership fee and are issued the DVP Identification Card