Veterans Hospital Act

Senate as Dilice of the contrary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Second Regular Session SEP -2 A10:03 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1325 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS HOSPITAL IN VISAYAS AND MINDANAO EXPLANATORY NOTE No less than the Constitution mandates the State to provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses, and orphans. Our war veterans made invaluable contributions in safeguarding national security, in securing freedom and fighting for democracy. Their selfless sacrifices were instrumental for our hard-fought independence and in effectively repressing both internal and external threats. To honor and recognize their heroic acts and sacrifices, it is necessary for the government to provide adequate care to veterans, such as quality hospitalization, medical care, and treatment. This may not be realized with only one veterans hospital in the Philippines - the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), located in Metro Manila. Veterans hospitals should also be easily accessible to veterans residing outside the Metro. Thus, this bill seeks to establish veterans hospitals in Visayas and in Mindanao, which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH). In light of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

Office of the scrap TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) Second Regular Session 25 SEP -2 A10:03 SENATE RECEIVED BY: _ S. No. 1325 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS HOSPITAL IN VISAYAS AND MINDANAO Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Tit/e. - This Act shall be known as the " Veterans Hospital Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared as policy of the State to

provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms or assistance to war 4 veterans and veterans of military campaigns in recognition of their invaluable service to the nation. Thus, the State shall ensure that veterans have access to quality hospitalization, medical care, and treatment and shall establish appropriate institutions for such care.

Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to establish a veterans hospital in Visayas and

Mindanao to ensure that the Philippine war veterans, who are situated in far-flung areas and residing in Visayas and Mindanao, be able to access hospitals for them to obtain appropriate medical attention. The veterans hospitals shall have the following objectives: a. To provide comprehensive and total health care services to Filipino veterans including medical, surgical, and psychiatric services. b. To offer rehabilitative and long-term care to veterans with service- connected disabilities. c. To serve as centers for health care research for the improvement of veterans' medical care.

d. To provide support services for the families and beneficiaries of the Filipino veterans.

Sec. 4. Hospital Site. - The hospital site shall be strategically located in Visayas

4 and Mindanao where the veterans have easy access. They shall be equipped with 5 modern medical facilities and equipment necessary for the delivery of effective health care services. The veterans hospital shall be under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

Sec. 5. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Secretary of the DOH

shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern in accordance with the revised compensation and position classification system subject to the evaluation and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and in compliance with the civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

Sec. 6. Supervision. - The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) shall have

the power to supervise the functions and actions of personnel and staff of these veteran hospitals, to ensure that their actions are consistent with the objective of this Act.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the

Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding shall be included and funded under the General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued operation shall be included in the annual GAA.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in coordination with

the PVAO, Department of National Defense and other concerned agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and

regulations, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,