DND pushes for P650 million veterans’ hospital in Northern Mindanao

From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 17): DND pushes for P650 million veterans’ hospital in Northern Mindanao

Veterans in Northern Mindanao and neighboring regions will soon benefit from the establishment of veterans’ hospital to be built at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PIA) Estate in Misamis Oriental-Special Economic Zone.

In his message during the Veterans Event 2016 held in Cagayan de Oro, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said its department has included in its 2017 budget for the construction of a 250-bed hospital at the PHIVIDEC which will primarily caters to veterans and retirees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) residing in Northern Mindanao including those in Southern Mindanao, Central Mindanao and Southern Visayas.

However, Sec. Lorenzana said, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has not included this in 2017 but still they have included it in the proposed 2017 budget and submitted to the Congress’ Committee on Appropriations for consideration.

PHIVIDEC Board has approved in 2014 the donation of a five-hectare parcel of land for the establishment and construction of veterans’ medical center.

Lorenzana likewise reported DND-PVAO with the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) initiatives in improving the lives of the veterans for their welfare and well-being.

According to him, DND, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Department of Health have forged an agreement in 2014 to revitalize the Veterans Hospitalization and Medical Care Program (VHMCP) to benefit half a million beneficiaries nationwide.

“The agreement aims to improve your access to quality healthcare, including your qualified dependents, especially majority of you reside in the provinces,” said Lorenzana.

He also said the VHMCP is DND’s initiative that leads to ‘no veteran should pay for their own medicines adding that “Dili mo magkuha sa inyo bulsa bayaran na sa gobyerno (You don’t have to pay with your own pocket. The government will pay it.”

“The VHMCP is seen as immediate and temporary solution to concerns of veterans and their families. ‘Kay sa ato pa kung naa ka sa probinsiya ang atong usa ka problema nga…ang para sa’ (if you reside in the province one of your problems is on) medical attention. So ‘kini gitukod sa’ (this was conceptualized by) DND with the PVAO and VMMC so that ‘kamo dili na malisdan’ (so you would not have a hard time) especially those who are residing in the provinces for convenient access to the VMMC,” the secretary said.

He further said it is being implemented in partnership with 70 hospitals under DOH and 531 government hospitals under the local government units. At present, select private tertiary hospitals have also been designated.

Meanwhile, the overall budget of VHMCP has increased to P50 million in 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA). For 2017, DND has proposed an additional amount of P 20 million for a total P70 million for the program.

Lorenzana also said PVAO statistics says that as of October 2016, there are about 8,769 living World War II veterans with 45,676 living spouses; there are 32,036 post World War II veterans with 52,286 living souses and an estimated 12,754 minor pensioners who are entitled to avail of hospitalization.

For the Total Administrative Disability (TAD) of PVAO, Lorenzana reported that a total of P4.773 billion fund was released on Sept. 13, 2016 for the veterans as directed by Pres. Duterte to cover the payable TAD arrears of 21,683 surviving widows of World War II veterans and 4,232 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) retirees who are 80 years old and above.

As of end of Sept. 2016, P2.247 billion was already remitted to 13,847 beneficiaries of deceased World War II veterans and 4,232 AFP retirees.

Lorenzana said members of the AFP who had served the AFP for at least six years or more, upon reaching age 65, are entitled to a monthly pension of P5,000. Those who reach age 70 and above receive an additional P1,700 as they are considered totally “administrative disabled.” Their widows are entitled to the same benefits. Generals and enlisted men receive the same amount of monthly PVAO pension.

DND-PVAO joined the veterans in the region in celebrating its Veterans Day, an annual event spearheaded by the PIA to honor veterans and to provide venue for their fellowship.

Lorenzana graced the event as the guest of honor and led the awarding of five oldest veterans in the region: Manuel Cunada, 93; Sulpicio Cabasan, 94; Aligondo Dagondon, 94; Marciano Avila, 99; and Marcelino Polonio, 104.

The event was highlighted with a medical outreach mission wherein PVAO put up a help desk and distributed ambulatory and reading devices to veterans.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1461479349300/dnd-pushes-for-p650-million-veterans-hospital-in-northern-mindanao