DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – A 15-bed ward reserved for war veterans was recently opened at the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC).
The ward, named after Lt. Col. Jaime M. Arzadon was opened on January 10.
Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Retiree Affairs Reynaldo Mapagu said, “Gusto nating i-widen ang coverage ng medical care para sa mga veterans. Marami kasi sa kanila ang physically can no longer access the Veterans Memorial Center in Quezon City.”
(We aim to expand the reach of medical care for our veterans, as many of them are unable to physically access the Veterans Memorial Center in Quezon City.)
Mapagu clarified the ward will cater not just to veterans but also to their surviving spouses and disabled children to ensure that they will receive their rightful benefits from the government, in addition to monthly pensions and educational assistance to one of the veterans’ heirs for college education as approved by PVAO.
Mapagu stated, “This is the least we can do to honor their bravery, patriotism, sacrifice, and selflessness, especially for World War II veterans.”
He said this is the third veterans’ ward in the country that is now operational.
The first one is the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan De Oro, and the second one is Batangas City Medical Center.
He added that a total of 24 veterans’ wards are planned to be built across the country.
The Southern Philippine Medical Center in Davao City is currently under construction, while the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City is awaiting the procurement of medical equipment before the inauguration.
Meanwhile, R1MC’s Medical Center chief Joseph Roland Mejia said “Kapag natapos itong building ay magdadagdag tayo ng additional beds sa veterans’ ward.”
(Once this building is completed, we plan to add more beds to veterans wards.)
Mejia said the ward can also be used by other patients if the veterans’ ward is not in use.
He said the ward has cost P17 million, and P6 million is being spent on equipment such as an intensive care unit (ICU), ventilator, mobile X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), and cardiac monitor machine.
The Department of Health (DOH) and PVAO named the veterans ward of R1MC after the late LTC Jaime M. Arzadon.
Arzadon was a Dagupeño who founded the Army of the Agno in 1942.
With his courage, he led his troops in defeating the Japanese forces and liberating the eastern towns of Pangasinan. (JCR/AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
