OFW Hospital Act

'y'. TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL -2 P5:31 First Regular Session -- SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT ENHANCING THE MEDICAL ACCESS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS) AND THEIR FAMILIES BY STRENGTHENING THE OFW HOSPITAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), a total of 2.33 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were deployed in 2023. From January to September 2024 alone, 2.05 million OFs have already been deployed, marking a 10.37% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that 2.16 million OFWs are estimated to have worked abroad from April to September 2023. This reflects a 9.8% increase from the estimated 1.96 million OFWs during the same period in the previous year. 1 In terms of economic impact, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also accounted that the total remittances of OFWs grew by 3% from 2023 to 2024, amounting to USD37.21 billion and USD38.34 billion, respectively? These statistics and growth evidently reflect a significant contribution to our economy. Filipino overseas workers are, indeed, the country's bagong bayani. They bravely risk their lives to work in other countries, driven by the hope of providing a better life for their loved ones. Their remittances and contributions to our economy continue to fuel household incomes and remain a vital pillar of our economy. Yet, the journey of every OFW is filled with a variety of challenges and immeasurable sacrifices, which 1 PSA. 2023 Overseas Filipino Workers (Final Results). Published on 13 September 2024. Available at https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/survey/labor-and-employment/survey-overseas-filipinos#:~:text= Release %20Date:%20Friday%2C%20September%2013, Table%201%20and%20Figure%201) (Accessed on 25 June 2025). 2 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Personal Remittances Reach a Record High of US$3.7 Billion in December 2024; Full-Year Level of US$38.3 Billion Highest to Date. Published on 17 February 2025. Available at https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/MediaAndResearch/MediaDisp.aspx?ItemId=7426 (Accessed on 25 June 2025).

result in the deterioration of their health, among others. For instance, in 2017, the NMC Hospital in Abu Dhabi found that there are as many as 1,000 Filipinos who are diagnosed with cancer from the United Arab Emirates. 3 The Davao office of Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA), meanwhile, found that OFWs are prone to suffer trom hypertension, heart attack, breast, and ovarian cancers, which could either be diagnosed during their work abroad or upon their return home." Considering the persisting and piling health complications faced by our OFWs, it is imperative that we respond with urgency to protect the safety and well-being of all our bagong bayani. This bill seeks to give priority to the millions of hardworking OFWs and their dependents by establishing a dedicated hospital to be known as the OFW Hospital. It further mandates the establishment of regional hospitals that will prioritize the needs of the OFWs and their dependents. This measure represents a significant step towards honoring the sacrifices and safeguarding the well-being of our OrWs, ensuring that they are prioritized and given access to adequate and quality health services. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JOEL VILLANUEVA M 3 Rappler. Around 1,000 OFWs diagnosed with cancer in UAC every year - doctors. Published on 18 December 2017. Available at https://www.rappler.com/nation/192112-uae-ofws-cancer-1000-every-year/ (Accessed on 4 SunStar. OFWS medical assistance program to launch in January. Published on 21 November 2016. Available at https://www.sunstar.com.ph/ article/111291/ofws-medical-assistance-program-to-launch-in-january- (Last accessed on 25 June 2025).

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL -2 P5:31 First Regular Session ) SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT ENHANCING THE MEDICAL ACCESS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) AND THEIR FAMILIES BY STRENGTHENING THE OFW HOSPITAL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled

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

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy of the State to adopt an

integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all people at affordable cost. To this end, the State shall protect the interest and promote the well- being of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through the provision of social welfare services in recognition of their importance and contribution to economic development and nation-building.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms

are hereby defined as follows: a) Dependents refer to any of the following: (1) The legal spouse entitled by law to receive support from the OFW; (2) The legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, or illegitimate child who is unmarried, not 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 been permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically or mentally; or (3) The parents who primarily receive regular support from the OFW; and b) Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) or Migrant Worker refers to a Filipino who has been engaged, is engaged, or is to be engaged in a remunerated activity in a country of which the said person is not an immigrant citizen, or a permanent resident of, or is not awaiting naturalization, recognition, or admission, whether land-based or sea-based regardless of status; excluding a Filipino engaged under a government-recognized exchange visitor program for cultural and educational purposes. For purposes of this Act, a person engaged in remunerated activity covers a person who has been contracted for overseas employment but has yet to leave the Philippines, regardless of status, and includes "Overseas Contract Workers."

SEC. 4. OFW Hospital and Diagnostic Center, - The "Overseas Filipino

Worker Hospital and Diagnostic Center" or OFW Hospital, established in the city of 16 San Fernando, province of Pampanga, shall primarily cater to OFWs and their dependents. It shall be a government instrumentality with corporate powers, managed and supervised by a Board of Trustees chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), being the primary national agency with the mandate of ensuring the welfare of the OFWs and their dependents: Provided, That nothing herein shall prevent the OFW Hospital from accommodating patients other than OFWs or their qualified dependents:

SEC. 5. Regional Hospitals. - Within five (5) years from the effectivity of this

Act, the DMW, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant agencies, and in accordance with appropriate health facility development and health human resource plans, shall establish regional hospitals in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to cater to the needs of overseas Filipino workers and their dependents who are located in these regions.

SEC. 6. Purposes and Objectives. - The OFW Hospital shall:

a) Establish, operate, and maintain medical facilities, including a medical and diagnostic center to provide comprehensive and people-centered health care services to OFWs and their qualified dependents and the general public. Serve as a referral facility for repatriated OFWs needing medical assistance and support while ensuring its participation in the provincial and inter-regional health care provider networks to allow for a seamless and coordinated referral system for the medical repatriation program, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11223 or the "Universal Health Care Act;" C) Promote, encourage, engage in, and publish scientific research on the prevention, care, and treatment of occupational diseases common to OFWs, including the underwriting of research on biological, demographic, social, economic, eugenics, physiological aspects of occupational disorders of OFWs, and conduct relevant congresses, conventions, seminars, and conferences; d) Develop training programs for medical and allied medical professionals which shall focus on strengthening occupational and migrant health services in the country and the creation of specialized services; e) Provide telehealth services to migrant workers and their dependents for follow up consultations, and assist in the medical assessment and management of distressed OFWs while awaiting repatriation, which may be extended at Philippine foreign posts or migrant workers offices; f) Conduct pre-employment medical examinations of OFW applicants, subject to pertinent rules and regulations; Strengthen health surveillance through the provision of a post-employment or post-arrival medical examination for OFWs, in consonance with Republic Act No. 8042 or the "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995" as amended, and the Philippine Migrant Health Program of the DOH; h) Raise public awareness and conduct a massive information drive on the prevention, treatment, and control of diseases common to OFws, occupational health and safety, and physical fitness; and Assist and support universities, research institutions, and other hospitals or medical facilities in their studies on health-related concerns of OFWs.

SEC. 7. Powers of the OFW Hospital. - The OFW Hospital shall have the

2 powers to: a) Acquire and hold, in any manner, property of whatever nature or description, and to dispose of such property under any mode of encumbrance or conveyance; 5 b) Contract and be contracted with; 6 c) Levy, assess, and collect such fees, charges, and assessments as may be necessary or proper to support, finance, and maintain its operation; 8 d) Mortgage, lease, sell, transfer, convey, or otherwise dispose of its properties; 9 e) Invest in and purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, use, lease grant, mortgage, sell, transfer or otherwise deal with, real and/or personal properties of every kind and nature, including shares of stock, bonds, notes and other evidence of indebtedness or obligations of other corporations whether government or private; f) Solicit and receive donations, endowments, and funds in the form of contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and private sectors subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations; g) Open accounts in banks and other financial institutions, and disburse funds or invest the same as the DMW Secretary may direct to accomplish or advance the purposes or interest of the hospital; Invite foreign specialists and experts in the various medical fields not available in the country to train the personnel, trainees, and residents; i) Send the personnel to research institutes, medical institutes, or universities for advanced training or observation and to attend international or regional conventions, conferences, congresses, and seminars as the Medical Center Chief may deem necessary to accomplish the purposes and objectives of the OFW Hospital, subject to the approval of the DMW Secretary; and Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental for the accomplishment of the purposes and objectives of the OFW Hospital.

SEC. 8. Creation of the OFW Hospital Board of Trustees. - There is hereby

created an OFW Hospital Trust, for the benefit of OFWs, to be administered by a Board of Trustees, composed of seven (7) members. Three (3) members of the Board shall

constitute a quorum to transact business and any decision of the three (3) members on any matter shall constitute a valid and binding act of the OFW Hospital. The Composition of the OFW Hospital Board shall be as follows: a) Chairperson: Secretary of the DMW; b) Vice-Chairperson: Secretary of the DOH; and Members: (1) Secretary, Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE); (2) Administrator, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); (3) Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); (4) Land-based OFWs Representative; and (5) Sea-based OFWs Representative. The representatives of land-based and sea-based OFWs shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of nominees of their OFW organizations, 14 duly endorsed by the Secretary of the DMW to the President. The nominees shall at least be forty (40) years of age, and an OFW with at least five (5) years of work experience abroad at the time of their nomination. The members of the Board may elect an alternate, whose name shall be submitted to the President for appointment. In case of vacancy, the head of the agency or the OFW organizations may nominate an alternate, subject to the official appointment by the President of the Philippines.

SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the OFW Hospital Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees shall have the following powers and functions: a) Approve and promulgate policies, guidelines, programs, and plans for the sound administration, maintenance, and operations of the OFW Hospital for the implementation of the purposes and objectives of this Act; b) Approve the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the OFW Hospital in accordance with the revised compensation and position classification system subject to the evaluation and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and in compliance with civil service and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations;

1 c) Appoint, remove, suspend, or otherwise discipline the officers of the OFW Hospital occupying executive and senior management positions, subject to civil service and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; d) Adopt the annual and supplemental budget of the OFW Hospital; and e) Exercise all the general powers necessary or proper for the attainment of the purpose and objectives of this Act.

SEC. 10. Medical Center Chief. - The Medical Center Chief shall be

appointed by the DMW Secretary and shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 10 a) Provide overall direction and strategic leadership to the OFW Hospital toward the provision of high-quality health services; b) Oversee all managerial and administrative processes and operations of all departments of the OFW Hospital; 14 C Supervise the daily activities of functional units; 15 d) Ensure high standards in clinical training for medical and allied medical personnel; e) Execute, on behalf of the OFW Hospital, all contracts and agreements which it may enter into and accomplish and deliver any and all documents relative to such contracts and agreements, subject to the approval of the DMW Secretary; f) Represent the OFW Hospital in all dealings with other offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government and all other persons or entities, domestic or foreign and government or private; Submit, for the consideration and approval of the Board, the proposed development plans, programs, measures, policies, and guidelines necessary for the effective implementation of the purposes and objectives of this Act; h) Appoint, promote, transfer, remove, suspend or otherwise discipline the officers and employees of the OFW Hospital, except those appointed by the Board; and i) Exercise such other powers and perform such duties as may be vested by the DMW Secretary.

SEC. 11. Duties and Responsibilities of the DMW and OWWA. - The DMW

shall have the following duties and responsibilities in the implementation of the purposes and objectives of this Act: a) Establish a focal office for migration and health in the DMW to ensure that the country's migrant health program is mainstreamed in the plans and programs of the OFW Hospital, which shall include: (1) Assistance in identifying, documenting, processing, and approving applications for benefits granted to OFWs and their qualified dependents; (2) Establishment of a referral system within the OFW Hospital to ensure efficient delivery of medical and health care services to OFWs and their qualified dependents; (3) Strengthening of the existing health benefits and medical assistance programs, through OWWA, such as subsidies on hospitalization and medical procedures for OFWs and their qualified dependents, subject to the availability of funds and resources; and (4) Active engagement in the Philippine Migrant Health Network, an inter- agency, multi-stakeholder network for migrant health composed of members from other government, non-governmental agencies, the academe, civil society organizations, private sector, and international organizations, to advocate and lobby support for migrant health programs; b) Create a consultative committee and other necessary mechanisms for the effective participation of land-based and sea-based accredited OFW organizations in the formulation of policies for the effective implementation of programs and measures to attain the objectives of the OFW Hospital; and Perform such other functions that are necessary for the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act. The OWWA shall also ensure that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs for OFWs and their qualified dependents are strengthened: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or reduce the existing benefits of OFWs and their dependents provided under R.A. No. 11223.

SEC. 12. Duties and Responsibilities of the DOH. - The DOH shall have the

2 following duties and responsibilities in the implementation of the purposes and 3 objectives of this Act: a) Ensure that the necessary permits and licenses to operate the OFW Hospital are obtained, consistent with relevant issuances, rules, and regulations; b) Endorse and encourage medical specialists in other government hospitals such as the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Children's Hospital, and the Philippine General Hospital, to hold clinics in the OFW Hospital; 10 c) Support the OFW Hospital through the provision of technical assistance, extending capital outlay, and monitoring the hospital's compliance with standards to deliver quality healthcare; and d) Perform such other functions that are necessary for the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act.

SEC. 13. Support from other Government Agencies. - All other agencies,

departments, bureaus, offices, or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations, shall render assistance to the OFW Hospital for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Tax Exemption. - All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and

contributions made to the OFW Hospital to be used actually, directly, and exclusively by the OFW Hospital shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. The importation of equipment, machinery, and spare parts used actually, directly, and exclusively for the operation of the OFW Hospital and are not available locally shall be exempt from value-added tax and customs duty.

SEC. 15. Funding for the OFW Hospital. - The amount necessary for the

initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DMW. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

All income generated from the operations of the OFW Hospital shall be deposited in an authorized government depository bank and be used to augment the hospital's operating requirements.

SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days

from the approval of this Act, the DMW shall, in consultation with the DOH, the OWWA, 6 and other stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to carry 7 out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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