General Dellosa: A caring general

First a few thoughts on the recent US elections.

In less than 24 hours, the votes cast by over 100 million Americans were counted and tabulated. In the wee hours of the following morning, the losing candidate was congratulating his opponent with a gracious concession speech and offering his prayers for the success of the president and the nation. One of the saving graces of American politics is the spirit of sportsmanship that allows losers to bow out gracefully and winners to be magnanimous in victory.

Perhaps, more Americans believed in the Democratic battle cry of Vice President Joe Biden: “Osama Bin Laden is dead, and GM is alive.” (GM refers to General Motors, one of the giants in the US auto industry saved by a government bailout that Republican candidate Mitt Romney opposed. Ohio, a key swing state with 18 electoral votes, is home to millions of auto workers whose jobs were saved by the bailout. In past elections, no candidate has won the presidency without having won Ohio.)

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With more than two months away from compulsory retirement, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa appears to be the target of rumors suggesting that he faces early departure from the military service. The PNP chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, has also been mentioned as possibly being placed on non-duty status ahead of his official retirement date unless he is appointed to another position in government.

In the case of General Dellosa, he retires on Jan. 20, 2013, when he will have completed 37 years, 9 months and 19 days of active military service in the AFP. There will be no early retirement for this twice-wounded warrior officer who assumed the post of AFP chief of staff in December last year.

One of the great tragedies of the AFP organization today is the lack of tenure of our military leaders. They remain hostage to political realities. For more than a decade now, the “revolving door” that is the hallmark of the office of the AFP chief of staff has seriously affected the ability of any well-meaning AFP chief to put in place and nourish badly-needed programs for the benefit of the men and women in uniform. During the past and current administrations, the “revolving door” has welcomed and said goodbye to roughly one chief of staff per year.

One of the special advocacies of the present AFP chief of staff has been the AFP Medical Center, known to many as V. Luna Hospital located in Quezon City. Perhaps, it is expected that V. Luna would have a special place in Dellosa’s heart. As a young officer fresh from the Philippine Military Academy, he was wounded in action twice while fighting insurgents in Basilan and Sulu. On both occasions, his wounds were serious enough to land him in V. Luna for treatment and rehabilitation. Thus, he knows from personal experience how critical the role of the AFP Medical Center is in the care of our soldiers and their dependents. In his own words, General Dellosa describes V. Luna as the “court of last resort” for our soldiers.

I have visited V. Luna on a number of occasions. My first was as a young boy reporting for a final physical checkup prior to entering the Philippine Military Academy. The latest was to check on the condition of First Class Cadet Alfonso Aviles, who was shot by a holdup man during a foiled robbery attempt on board a jeepney. The cadet is now on the road to recovery, and was recently awarded the Bronze Cross for heroism in non-combat situations. Unfortunately, his assailant remains at large. General Dellosa also made it a point to look into the welfare of Cadet Aviles.

Let me say that the AFP Medical Center needs more support and attention from government. If its facilities, in terms of infrastructure, equipment and medical supplies, are any measure of our concern for the welfare and comfort of our soldiers, then much remains to be done at this “court of last resort.” Perhaps, we cannot afford 5-star establishments like St. Luke’s or Makati Medical Center, but certainly we can do better for the men and women who bear arms for the country.

Inadequate lighting, poor ventilation in crowded wards, and comfort rooms that are better described as “discomforts”—these conditions do not provide the best environment for patients, particularly soldiers recuperating from combat wounds. Reimbursement of the hospital expenses (RHE) of soldiers and dependents has reached a staggering P61 million for last year alone. But reimbursement indicates that our soldiers have to shell out their own money for medical care. What happens when the soldier cannot afford to advance these expenses? We must address these issues adequately. That is why the work of General Dellosa for the AFP Medical Center must continue. Unfortunately, we all know that once a new chief of staff takes over, he may have his own priorities and programs for the organization.

During the AFP Medical Center’s 75th foundation anniversary last September, Dellosa asked some pointed questions: “Why don’t we repay our soldiers with the best medical services that we can give, especially if they are admitted to the hospital as battle casualties? Why don’t we make them feel that they are properly taken care of instead of us taking advantage of them? Why don’t we make this hospital a place where they can relax and recuperate easily with the tender, loving care that our personnel here could give, and make them feel as if they are at home? It is not hard to do this if we have the commitment and the mindset of helping others and not thinking of personal gain.”

Only one who has spent time at V. Luna can appreciate the inadequacies of the center. Periodic donations from various financial institutions for the improvement of its facilities are welcome, but it needs are sustainable long-term programs that will answer the medical needs of our soldiers.

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Now, for the ladies.

Next Sunday, November 18, the Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Diplomatic Corps (38 embassies participating), is sponsoring the 46th International Bazaar at the PICC. There will be prizes galore, including a brand-new Hyundai car as the grand raffle prize, along with motorcycles, refrigerators, washing machines and airline tickets. The proceeds of “Shop Global, Help Local” will go to charitable projects. The gates will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. I repeat, mark your calendars: Sunday, November 18.