Recently, the commander in chief, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, visited the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), a facility referred to in the past as the “Mona Lisa” Medical Center. As the song goes, “they just lie there, and they die there.” He took note of the great improvements carried out under the current administrator, Dr. Dominador Chiong Jr., and immediately ordered the release of P100 million for the VMMC from the presidential social fund. Of this amount, more than half went to the purchase of a 128-slice CT scan machine while the rest to the 500 modern beds to replace the old, worn-out and, in some cases, rusting, bunks that have serviced several generations in the past. Another P100 million was made available for medicines and assorted medical supplies.
The President was a bit perplexed by the name of the facility. “Memorial” made it sound like a place for the dead, and so he directed that the hospital be renamed “Veterans Medical Center,” omitting “Memorial.” An executive order should be out this week implementing the change, this according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Now for a bit of history. The veterans hospital was established as a result of a $9.7-million grant from the US government for the construction of a facility that would provide hospitalization, medical care and treatment for Filipino war veterans who served with the USAFFE, recognized guerrilla units, the Philippine Scouts and the Commonwealth Army. Coverage was later extended to all AFP retirees and their dependents. As a counterpart contribution, the Philippine government donated 55 hectares of land in Quezon City that had originally been set aside in 1939 as the site of a new Malacañan Palace.
President Emilio Aguinaldo of the First Republic was confined at the VMMC for some time prior to his death in 1964. So was President Sergio Osmeña of the Commonwealth government and President Elpidio Quirino after he left Malacañang. Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. was treated there after several days of fasting in protest against his detention and trial under the martial law regime.
The center was also home to detained presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, both of whom occupied the presidential suite reserved for chief executives. President Fidel Ramos would use the center’s conference room for some of his Cabinet meetings after an early round of golf. The center is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course that is open to the public.
In response to my earlier observations made during a personal visit to the VMMC, Dr. Chiong had this to say:
First, on the need to secure a VMMC ID prior to any assistance. He stressed that this will no longer be required before any treatment is provided. The regular AFP retiree ID will suffice with the other requirements for the issuance of a VMMC ID to be submitted later. During my visit to the center, I was asked for a VMMC ID which I did not have and was required to submit other documents such as my retirement order and two passport-sized pictures. My good friend Joe Molano, sent in his own suggestion regarding this problem and is duly noted.
Second, the presence of signs that read “Bawal ang fixer.” I noted that such signs were not appropriate for a facility providing health and medical care at times in a life or near-death situation. Dr. Chiong explained that this sign is a requirement imposed by the Civil Service Commission. I believe it is time for the CSC to rethink this type of sloganeering. With or without the warning, fixers will operate if the environment provides the conditions that make “fixing” thrive and prosper.
There have been several government agencies that provide continuing support for the center: Pagcor, under Didi Domingo; and PCSO, with Gen. Alex Balutan. The Association of General and Flag Officers led by Gen. Raul Urgello, has donated a suite. PMA Class ’70 headed by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu is renovating 12 private rooms for retirees. PMA Class ’76 president Vice Adm. Emilio Marayag Jr., announced recently that the class is donating one suite and private room, plus a special suite in memory of Lt. Leopoldo Bataoil, Class ’43, an uncle of Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, chair of the House committee on veterans affairs. Other members of the class instrumental in providing support to the center are Rear Adm. Ramon Punzalan, Generals Victor Ibrado and Alexander Yano. Incidentally, Admiral Marayag, the son of retired Air Force Master Sergeant Emilio Marayag Sr., has a daughter, Amellita Pearl, who graduated from the US Naval Academy with a BS in oceanography. Since she and her husband, classmates in Annapolis, were both in the Marine Corps, she decided to leave the military service and is now an FBI special agent.
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