LINGAYEN -- The Provincial Board has passed a resolution authorizing Governor Amado Espino III to enter into and sign a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) for the implementation of the hospitalization, medical care and treatment programs to veterans and their dependents.
This was contained in a resolution authored by Board Members Jeremy Rosario, Raul Sison and Noel Bince, noting that Pangasinan is willing to execute such a memorandum of agreement with PVAO represented by its administrator Lieutenant General Ernesto Carolina.
Under Republic Act 6948, as amended by Republic Act 7896, the PVAO is mandated to provide hospitalization, medical care and treatment to Filipino veterans and their dependents through the Veteran Memorial Medical Center as veteran ward in selected government hospitals.
The PVAO has chosen the province of Pangasinan through 10 of the 14 hospitals it is operating to extend hospitalization, medical care and benefits to all veterans and their beneficiaries.
Those sought to extend services to the veterans are the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital, Western Pangasinan District Hospital, Bayambang District Hospital, Lingayen District Hospital, Mangatarem District Hospital, Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital, Urdaneta District Hospital, Bolinao Community Hospital, Asingan Community Hospital and Mapandan Community Hospital.
These hospitals are now considered “hospital of choice” after the past and present provincial administration continued to upgrade them, provide them more funds and facilities so that they can cater to the growing health needs of the people in Pangasinan.
The Provincial Board considers this program as one way of reaching out to the needs of the Filipino veterans who have played an important role in defending the nation’s freedom and democracy. (PNA)