President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting Filipino soldiers, veterans, and their families as he led the launch of a new outpatient health initiative designed to broaden access to medical services, particularly in areas outside Metro Manila.
On Friday, Marcos visited the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas to inaugurate the country’s first Veterans Access to Lifetime Optimized Healthcare (Valor) Clinic—a facility dedicated to providing better medical care for retired military personnel and their loved ones.
“You have served our nation with honor, and while we can never fully repay that debt, your government stands beside you,” Marcos said during his speech to military personnel. “We are here to support your health and well-being not just today, but for the long term.”
In his address titled “Talk to the Troops,” Marcos expressed deep gratitude for the continued efforts of the armed forces and their civilian counterparts. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the entire defense workforce—from airmen and pilots to administrative personnel—receives the proper care and resources needed to carry out their duties effectively.
The Valor Clinic is an initiative of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) and is part of a broader effort to decentralize health care services for the estimated 400,000 veterans and military dependents, many of whom currently lack access to adequate medical support.
Bringing Medical Services Closer to Veterans
The Valor Clinic aims to bridge this gap by establishing a network of primary health facilities within military camps and hospitals throughout the country. This approach seeks to reduce the need for veterans to travel long distances for routine check-ups or urgent medical needs.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro explained that the clinics will provide various services such as vaccinations, routine health checks, early disease detection, imaging services including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, and telehealth consultations to expedite treatment.
According to Castro, the program rollout will occur in three phases, with full implementation targeted by 2028. Initial pilot locations include military bases in Luzon such as Northern Luzon Command in Tarlac, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, Camp Riego de Dios in Cavite, and the Southern Luzon Command in Quezon.
Beyond standard consultations, these clinics will also focus on managing chronic illnesses, promoting preventive health practices, and conducting research to improve veteran healthcare policies. In addition, services will be extended to include civilian personnel within the Armed Forces, although it remains unclear if all services will be offered free of charge.
