Senator Joel Villanueva has filed a bill that seeks to create a special hospital for overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.
Under Senate Bill No. 1282, a special hospital that will be known as the Bagong Bayaning Filipino Hospital will be established in the National Capital Region.
This will serve as the primary medical facility for the hospitalization, confinement, medical treatment and medical care of OFWs and their dependents.
“We want to recognize all the efforts and sacrifices of our modern-day heroes who have worked hard not only to provide a better living for their families, but also for their contribution to the national economy,” Villanueva said.
He said the personal remittances of our migrant workers have strengthened the account position of the country, enlarging the middle class and spawning microenterprises in the provinces.
“In spite of the growing number of migrant workers and the steady stream of remittance flows, social services, especially health care, remain out of reach for them and their dependents,” Villanueva said.
Under the bill, apart from the special hospital that will be under the supervision and control of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, regional hospitals are also mandated to establish an OFW ward which shall each have an initial capacity of at least 50 beds.
“Other than the expansion of skills training and education benefits and on-site services, the government should also expand its medical assistance program for OFWs who are at risk of diseases and dreaded illnesses while on their job abroad,” he said.
The existing package of services under the Medical Care Program for OFWs and their dependents is only limited to curative medical services.
The proposed OFW hospital would cover preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative programs.