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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 09863 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING VETERANS MEDICAL CENTERS IN LUZON, VISAYAS AND 
MINDANAO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines owes an immeasurable debt to its veterans, heroes who 
secured our freedom with their sacrifices. While the existing Veterans Memorial 
Medical Center stands as a symbol of gratitude, its reach and capacity are 
limited. Veterans outside Metro Manila face significant challenges accessing 
specialized care, and the VMMC itself struggles with resource constraints. 
This bill proposes establishing Veterans Medical Centers across Luzon, 
Visayas, and Mindanao. This expansion will improve accessibility, reduce the 
burden on the existing VMMC, and enable the development of specialized 
centers of excellence. It is not just an act of gratitude, but a concrete investment 
in our veterans' well-being and a testament to our unwavering commitment to 
those who have bravely served. 
In light of the preceding, this bill’s approval is fervently sought. 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
Cagayan de Oro City – 1st District 
January 31, 2024
6:44 pm


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 09863 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING VETERANS MEDICAL CENTERS IN LUZON, VISAYAS AND 
MINDANAO 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Veterans Medical 
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Centers Act.” 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — a) Recognition of Service and Sacrifice. 
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— The State recognizes the immense sacrifices made by veterans and their 
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dependents and families in service to our nation. Their dedication and bravery 
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in defending our freedom and upholding our values have secured the peace and 
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prosperity we enjoy today. 
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(b) Duty to Care. — It is the fundamental duty of the State to honor and
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express its profound gratitude to veterans and their dependents and families by 
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providing them with high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive healthcare 
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services that address their unique needs arising from their military service. 
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SECTION 3. Establishment of Veterans Medical Centers. — The 
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establishment of one (1) Veterans Medical Center each for Luzon (outside of 
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Metro Manila), Visayas and Mindanao, with a minimum capacity of thirty (30) 
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hospital beds each under the supervision of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office 
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(PVAO) is hereby mandated. 
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SECTION 4. The Secretary of National Defense, in consultation and 
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coordination with the concerned officials of the Department of Interior and 
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Local Government, shall formulate and promulgate the implementing 
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guidelines, rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Appropriations. — The Secretary of Defense shall promptly 
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integrate operationalizing the new Veterans Memorial Medical Centers in Luzon 
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(outside Metro Manila), Visayas, and Mindanao into the Department's 
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programs. Funding for these will be included in the Annual General 
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Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 6. For the purposes of this Act, the term "operationalization" shall 
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include the acquisition of the land on which the hospitals will be established, the 
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construction of the building and other complementary infrastructures, facilities 
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and hospital equipment, as well as the costs for maintenance and personal 
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services for the said facilities. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
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inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general circulation, 
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or on a website provided for by law.
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Approved,