REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

No. 49

House Bit

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XVI Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution expressly declares that the State shall provide
immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms of assistance to our veterans. With
majority of them being elderly, sick, underprivileged, disabled, and poor, the Government
should focus on programs directed to improving their health conditions.

The Veterans Memorial Medical Center was constructed by virtue of United States (US)
Public Law 865 of July 1, 1948, as gift of the US to the Filipino people. It was further
mandated to be the primary medical facility for the hospitalization and medical care of
veterans and their dependents, pursuant to the aforementioned Constitutional provision.

‘Nevertheless, such herculean undertaking cannot be accomplished by a single hospital, which
serves the needs of tens of thousands of Filipino veterans all over the country. It is therefore
imperative that we honor and pay tribute to the sacrifices of our veterans and their dependents
by affording them adequate, accessible and quality medical treatment. Hence, the
establishment of additional Veterans Memorial Medical Centers in Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao is imperative.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

MANU! HAN III
Represental
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING VETERANS MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTERS IN LUZON,
VISAYAS AND MINDANAO

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. The establishment of one (1) Veterans Memorial Medical Centers each
for Luzon (outside Metro Manila), Visayas and Mindanao, with the minimum capacity of
twenty-five (25) hospital beds each under the supervision of the Philippine Veterans Affairs
Office (PVAO) is hereby mandated.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of National Defense and/or his duly authorized representative,
in consultation and coordination with the concemed officials of the Department of Interior
and Local Government, shall formulate and promulgate the implementing guidelines, rules
and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Defense shall immediately include in the Department's
programs the operationalization of the new Veterans Memorial Medical Centers in Luzon
(outside Metro Manila), Visayas, and Mindanao, the funding of which shall be included in
the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. For the purposes of this Act, the term "operationalization” shall include the
acquisition of the land on which the hospitals will be established, the construction of the
building and other complementary infrastructures, facilities and hospital equipment, as well
as the costs for maintenance and personal services for the said facilities.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the
Official Gazette at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,