OFW Hospital Act of 2025

staines other of the foster? TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 10 P4:44 SENATE RECEIVED S. No. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT ENHANCING THE MEDICAL ACCESS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, INSTITUTIONALIZING FOR THE PURPOSE THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) HOSPITAL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are widely hailed as the country's "modern- day heroes", not only for their significant remittances that bolster the national economy and increase the Gross Domestic Product, but also for their sacrifices. In pursuit of a better future for their families, millions of Filipinos leave the country each year, often facing the emotional burden of separation and the challenges of working in unfamiliar and sometimes exploitative environments abroad. As the number of OFWs continue to rise, numerous problems and challenges confront them and their families. These include issues such as illegal recruitment, labor exploitation, contract violations, and lack of adequate legal assistance. Beyond these, a pressing yet often overlooked concern is the limited access of OFWs to timely and appropriate healthcare services, both while abroad and upon their return. OFWs often endure hazardous working conditions, long hours, and physical or emotional stress, yet many are deployed to countries where healthcare is expensive, inaccessible, or entirely unavailable to migrant workers. When medical emergencies

arise, access to proper diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care becomes uncertain, leading to worsening conditions or prolonged suffering. For returning OFWs, the lack of specialized health programs also poses a serious gap, especially for those with work-related illnesses or trauma. These realities underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive and institutionalized healthcare framework specifically designed for OFWs and their families. In line with this, and as a recognition of the vital contributions of overseas Filipinos to the country, former President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 154 in 2021, establishing the OFW Hospital in Pampanga. The hospital is envisioned to provide comprehensive and dedicated healthcare services to all OFWs and their dependents, and to strengthen the government's reintegration efforts by addressing the medical needs of returning migrant workers. In order to harmonize policies and functions of different agencies, and ensure sufficient funding for the hospital, this proposed measure institutionalizes the OFW Hospital under the administrative supervision of the Department of Migrant Workers. In coordination with the DOH, the OFW Hospital will provide 24/7 telehealth services to migrant workers and their families. This service can be extended at the Philippine foreign post to assist in the medical assessment and management of distressed OFWs while awaiting repatriation. This bill will also strengthen health surveillance through the provision of a post-employment or post-arrival medical examination for OFWs. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

soenait "Offin of the strang TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 JUL 10 P4:44 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 414 Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. GO AN ACT ENHANCING THE MEDICAL ACCESS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) HOSPITAL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "OFW Hospital Act of

2 2025."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote

5 the right to health of the Filipino people and to instill health consciousness among 6 them. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 7 development. Further, the State shall protect the interest and promote the wellbeing 8 of overseas Filipino workers in recognition of their importance and contribution to economic development and nation building.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the OFW Hospital. - There shall be an Overseas Filipino

Workers (OFW) Hospital located in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The OFW Hospital shall primarily cater to and be developed consistent with the medical needs of overseas Filipino workers and their dependents: Provided, That nothing herein shall prevent the OFW Hospital from accommodating patients other than overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.

For purposes of this Act, dependents shall refer to any of the following: (1) the 2 legal spouse entitled by law to receive support from the overseas Filipino worker; (2) 3 the legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, or illegitimate child who is unmarried, not 4 gainfully employed, and has not reached twenty-one (21) years of age, or if over twenty-one (21) years of age, is congenitally incapacitated or while still a minor has 6 been permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally; 7 or (3) the parents who are receiving regular support from the overseas Filipino worker.

SEC. 4. Management of the OFW Hospital. - The OFW Hospital shall be under the

10 administrative supervision of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): Provided, That in the performance of its mandate as herein provided, the DMW shall closely coordinate and consult with the Department of Health (DOH). The Hospital Chief of the OFW Hospital, in consultation with the DOH, shall prepare a development plan to reflect the objectives of the OFW Hospital.

SEC. 5. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern of the OFW Hospital. - The

OFW Hospital shall be headed by a Medical Center Chief who is a licensed physician and with experience in hospital administration and management for at least five (5) years. The Medical Center Chief shall be appointed by the Secretary of Migrant Workers upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health. The DMW, in coordination with the DOH and Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall determine the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and list of plantilla positions of the OFW Hospital as it may deem necessary for the effective performance of the OFW Hospital, in accordance with civil service rules and regulations.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. - To ensure the availability, accessibility, and

affordability of quality health care, the OFW Hospital shall have the following duties and functions: (a) Provide comprehensive and total health care services to all OFWs and their dependents;

(b) Conduct pre-employment medical examinations for prospective OFWs duly covered by an approved job order; (c) Serve as a referral facility for repatriated OFWs needing medical assistance and support while ensuring its participation in the provincial and inter-regional healthcare provider networks to allow for a seamless and coordinated referral system for the medical repatriation program in accordance with Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Act; (d) Set up systems that will effectively monitor condition of patients and to generate relevant health information and data for policy formulation; (e) Promote, encourage, engage in and publish scientific research on the prevention, care and treatment of occupational diseases common to OFWs, including the underwriting of researches on biological, demographic, social, economic, physiological aspects of occupational disorders of OFWs; (f) Develop and encourage public interest in, as well as the dissemination and exchange of information on the prevention, treatment and control of diseases common to OFWs, and OFW occupational health and physical fitness, especially the promotion of health and rehabilitation, and other related fields; (g) In coordination with the DOH, encourage and undertake the training of physicians, nurses, medical technicians, health officers and social workers on the practical and scientific conduct and implementation of OFW occupational health services; (h) In coordination with the DOH, provide 24/7 telehealth services to migrant workers and their families. The service may be extended at the Philippine foreign post or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to assist in the medical assessment and management of distressed OFWs while awaiting repatriation; (0) In coordination with the DOH, strengthen health surveillance through the provision of a post-employment or post-arrival medical examination for OFWs; and (i) Assist and support universities, research institutions and other hospitals or medical facilities in their studies on health-related concerns of OFWs.

SEC. 7. Establishment of OFW Wards. - The DOH shall establish OFW centers or

1 wards in DOH-retained hospitals to complement the OFW Hospital. The level of OFW 2 services and corresponding facilities in OFW centers or wards and their respective 3 health human resource requirements shall be determined by the DOH, in coordination 4 with stakeholders: Provided, That the standards to be adopted thereon shall be 5 consistent with the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan.

SEC. 8. Medical Assistance. - The Secretary of the DMW shall ensure that existing

8 health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened to include subsidies 9 on hospitalization and medical procedures for OFWs and qualified dependents: 10 Provided, That nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or reduce the existing benefits of OFWs and their dependents provided under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the ""Universal Health Care Act."

SEC. 9. Referral System. - The DMW shall establish a referral system with the OFW

Hospital and OFW Care Centers to ensure proper delivery of services to qualified overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers

shall include in the Department's program the budged needed for the effective operation of the OFW Hospital, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

24 approval of this Act, the DMW, in coordination with the DOH, OWWA, and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry 26 out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 30 provisions hereof.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules

1 and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

5 in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,