TUCP signs memorandum of understanding with Subic Heart Center

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOU) with the Subic Heart Center (SHC) that will provide medical services to members of the labor organization, including their families and dependents.

Dr. Dante A. Ang, chairman emeritus of The Manila Times, and former senator Ernesto Herrera, TUCP president, led the signing of the memorandum.

Herrera said the TUCP will also sponsor one scholar to the The Manila Times College, a journalism school founded by The Times.

The SHC, which is located at the former US Subic Naval Base in Olongapo City, Zambales province, is owned by the Ang family and partners.

The SHC, according to Herrera, used to be the venue where TUCP and the 92,000 base casual workers hold collective bargaining agreements with their employers.
TUCP is an affiliate of the International Trade Union Council (ITUC), a worldwide umbrella association of labor unions.

Under the memorandum, TUCP-ITUC shall allow its members and affiliates to seek medical services at SHC, including dental, consultations and discounted use of its equipment and facilities.

It has to provide proper identification cards to its members as well as referral notes to facilitate availment of the medical services.

TUCP-ITUC may also acquire stocks of the hospital up to 10 percent of its capital stock, and shall be entitled as stockholder to nominate one director of the corporation.

The Subic Heart Center is mandated to make available at least five beds in its wards for use of the TUCP members.
Signatories to the MOU were Dr. Ang; Herrera; Dante Ang 2nd, president and chief executive officer of The Manila Times; and Alejandro Villaviza, vice president and legal counsel of TUCP-ITUC. –Jaime Pilapil Reporter, Manila Times