PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – Veterans in the Zamboanga Peninsula could soon have better access to specialized healthcare, as the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) announces plans for a new veterans’ ward in the region. This development was revealed during the “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” program on August 20.
Louie Jay C. Losaria, head of the PVAO Field Service Office in Zamboanga, shared these recent developments with optimism for the future of veterans’ care in the region.
“Just recently, we received an expression of intent from Premier Medical Center Zamboanga, indicating their willingness to establish a dedicated ward for our veterans. We are currently in consultations with our central office, and we hope to soon establish a veterans’ ward for the Zamboanga Peninsula,” he said.
He further elaborated on the ongoing collaboration with Brent Hospital, noting that although the dedicated ward is still in the planning phase, veterans in the region are not left without options.
Through the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the hospital, veterans can be admitted and benefit from PVAO’s Veterans Hospitalization and Medical Care Program (VHMCP). This ensures that their medical needs are met while more permanent infrastructure is being developed.
Earlier this year, the PVAO inaugurated two newly completed Veterans Wards located in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, and Davao City. To date, the PVAO has established five fully operational Veterans Wards, which have accommodated 106 veterans and their dependents.
Looking ahead, the PVAO aims to enhance healthcare access for veterans by establishing an additional 19 wards, bringing the total to 25 Veterans Wards across the country.
In Mindanao, two operational wards currently serve veterans; one at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro and another at the Southern Philippine Medical Center in Davao.
As the PVAO continues its mission to honor the nation’s veteran heroes, it remains committed not only to meeting their healthcare needs but also to ensuring their legacy as empowered veterans inspire future generations of defenders. (JPA/HTB/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)
