Laang Kawal Party-list pushes for legal charter for VMMC

The Laang Kawal Party-list

MANILA, Philippines – The Laang Kawal Party-list is calling for the establishment of a legal charter for the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), aiming to strengthen its operations and ensure that the country’s veterans and retired soldiers receive the care, dignity, and justice they deserve.

Col. Noel J. Detoyato (Ret.), second nominee of the Laang Kawal Party-list, emphasized, “Service does not end with wearing the uniform. Our obligation to our veterans must not end when they leave active duty.”

Detoyato explained that the VMMC, originally established as a gift from the United States to the Philippines after the war, serves as the primary hospital for Filipino veterans. Despite its critical role, however, the hospital still lacks a legal charter, which limits its ability to form strategic partnerships and implement long-term development initiatives. “This is not about charity. This is about what the government rightfully owes to the men and women who risked their lives for our country,” Detoyato added.

He further clarified the distinction between a Citizens’ Charter—mandated by the Anti-Red Tape Act to streamline public service—and a legal charter, which would be enacted through legislation. While a Citizens’ Charter serves as a guide for service delivery, a legal charter would grant the VMMC legal personality and autonomy, empowering it to pursue sustained development and expand its services for the benefit of veterans.

The Laang Kawal Party List is advocating for this legal recognition, not only to formally establish the VMMC as the premier medical facility for veterans but also to broaden its reach to retired members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The initiative also seeks to improve access to healthcare across various regions of the country, ensuring that veterans—especially those in remote or underserved areas—can receive the care they need.

In addition to pushing for the VMMC’s legal charter, Laang Kawal is committed to a thorough review and effective implementation of existing veterans’ laws. The party emphasizes the importance of ensuring that these laws—such as Republic Acts 6948, 7696, and 11164—are accurately applied to meet the evolving needs of veterans. These laws were designed to provide benefits for military veterans and their dependents, but Laang Kawal believes they must be fully realized to ensure that the right people receive the right assistance, particularly in addressing the challenges veterans face today.

Laang Kawal’s vision also includes establishing regional veterans’ care centers nationwide. These centers would partner with public hospitals to offer specialized care for veterans, including mental health services, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment, and other service-related health concerns. By improving accessibility to healthcare services, especially for those who cannot easily travel to Metro Manila, the party aims to provide more effective and localized support for veterans across the country.

Detoyato concluded, “It should not take years of lobbying just to meet our veterans’ health and medical needs. Our priority must be to ensure that the existing support systems are fully functional and capable of meeting veterans’ needs in a sustainable way. Respect for their service should be consistent and not dependent on political cycles.”