Cebu pushes healthcare services for war veterans

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government is forging a partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) that will allow war veterans to avail of the Capitol’s medical services.

The Provincial Board has already authorized Governor Hilario Davide III to enter into an agreement with PVAO administrator retired Lt. General Ernesto Carolina to finalize the provisions.

“Under the said law, PVAO shall accredit government hospitals that extend healthcare services to veterans and their beneficiaries in cases where it is more convenient and expedient for them,” the PB resolution read.

Cebu is home to 16 provincial and district hospitals. Provincial hospitals include those in Carcar City, Danao City, Bogo City, and Balamban town. The province’s district hospitals, meanwhile, are in Minglanilla, Tuburan, Sogod, Daanbantayan, Pinamungajan, Oslob, Argao, Badian, Barili, Camotes Islands, Bantayan Island and Malabuyoc.

PVAO is a government agency mandated to provide hospitalization to veterans through the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. It also accredits government hospitals that offer medical services to former soldiers, including their beneficiaries.

The proposed agreement, which seeks to strengthen the Veterans Hospitalization Program, is expected to benefit veterans and their dependents who are living in remote areas in the province and who have no convenient access to the VMMC.

The proposed agreement is also in accordance with the Republic Act No. 7696, which amends RA 6948.

Board Member Christopher Baricuatro, who penned the PB resolution, said the local government units are also mandated to extend medical services available to eligible veterans and their dependents as provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991.

Under the agreement between Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Health (DOH) in 2014, the Veterans Hospitalization Program provides a subsidy of P1,200 per day of hospital confinement for up to 45 days per patient every year. (FREEMAN)