Give VMMC juridical entity to perpetuate efficient service to veterans

Veterans' welfare is one of the many legislative issues that demonstrated the collective non-partisan action of the House of Representatives on matters crucial to public interest, Rep. Herminia Roman today declared.

Roman, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare, is citing, among others, the House-approved HB 6754 or "An Act to give juridical personality to the present Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes."

"HB 6754, like other measures promoting the welfare of our veterans and their dependents, would ensure continued free medical care for the veterans," she said, noting that the principal author of the original bill (HB 6502) is Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Other principal authors of the House-passed substitute bill are: Reps. Ma. Amelita Villarosa, Hermilando Mandanas, Anthony Rolando Golez, Jr., Lani Mercado-Revilla, Leopoldo Bataoil, and Raymond Democrito Mendoza.

While transforming the VMMC into a corporate body with juridical personality, HB 6502 seeks to strengthen the hospital's financial operations, reinforces its existence and perpetuation as a first-rate and prestigious medical institution, the authors said.

While reiterating the VMMC's commitment to serve the Filipino war veterans, the measure provides greater flexibility in its operations with autonomy in the exercise of its jurisdiction.

Among other salient provisions, HB 6754 provides that the VMMC, a body corporate, acting through its Board of Trustees, shall have all powers pertaining to a juridical person, and is therefore authorized, among others, to: 1) Acquire and hold in any manner property of whatever nature or description; 2) Enter into contracts; 3) Solicit and receive donations, endowments and funds in the form of contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and private sectors;

4) Open such accounts in banks and other financial institutions, and to disburse such funds or invest the same as the Board may direct to accomplish or advance the purposes or interest of the VMMC; 5) Invite foreign health specialists and other similar experts in the various medical fields to train the personnel, trainees or residents of the VMMC;

6) Send VMMC personnel to research institutes, medical institutes or universities for advanced training or observation and to attend international or regional conventions, conferences, congresses, seminars as the Board may deem necessary. 7) enter into such agreements and arrangements with medical or other institutions, domestic or foreign as may be deemed desirable by the Board;

8) Adopt a set of by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with law and the provision hereof to govern the administration and operation of the affairs of the VMMC; 9) Establish branches for the VMMC in other provinces or cities of the Philippines as may be deemed necessary for greater service coverage to veterans and their dependents that are living in almost all parts of the country; and 10) Perform all such other acts and things as are or may be necessary or incidental for the accomplishment of the purposes and objectives of the VMMC.

The VMMC Board of Trustees shall be composed of the following: the Secretary of National Defense as Chairperson; Medical Director of the VMMC as Vice Chairperson; Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Defense and Security; Chairperson of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare; Secretary of Health; Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; chairman of the Philippine Veterans Banks; President of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and three appointive members who are veterans and who have exerted conspicuous efforts towards the promotion of veterans' welfare and well-being.

The appointive members shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and shall serve for a term of three years. - Dionisio P. Tubianosa, Media Relations Service