FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
9 
JUL -2 
1 ‘i ’) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Touted as the “modern heroes” of the Philippine economy, overseas 
contract workers render services abroad and send financial support back to our 
country to promote the economic welfare of their families. As a consequence, 
they contribute to the general economic performance of the country. 
Thus, we cannot take for granted the indispensable role played by our 
modern heroes. As such, aside from their skills and experiences, an important 
capital that they have to possess is their health. Long hours of work, different 
climate and environment coupled by emotional stress raise the risk of weakness 
and ill health. 
The State has the responsibility to adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development, to afford full protection to labor both local and 
overseas, and to protect the interest and promote the well-being of its citizens. 
This bill is geared towards the realization of these endeavors; hence its 
immediate approval is earnestly sought. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 
2 1  
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A 
SPECIAL HOSPITAL FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO 
WORKERS (OFWs) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Tifle. - This Act shall be known as the “Migrant Workers 
Hospital Act of 2007.” 
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. Further, the State shall protect the interest and 
promote the well-being of Filipino overseas workers including their families and 
dependents through the provision of social and welfare services. 
SEC 3. Creation of Special Hospital. - To carry out the above policy, a 
migrant workers’ hospital to be named as the Migrant Workers Hospital is hereby 
created under the supervision and control of the Overseas Workers Welfare 
Administration (OWWA). 
SEC 4. 
Objectives. - To ensure the availability, accessibility and 
Provide for a comprehensive I total health care services to all 
migrant workers who are OWWA contributors and their legal 
dependents; 
affordability of quality health care, Migrant Workers Hospital shall: 
a) 
Complement the existing package of services under the Medical 
Care Program so as to include preventive, promotive, 
diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative programs; 
Conduct medical examination to ensure the physical and mental 
capability of all the would-be overseas Filipino workers duly 
covered by an approved job order; 


Set-up a system that will effectively monitor the condition of 
patients and to generate relevant information and data in aid of 
policy formulation. 
d) 
SEC 5. Administration. - Upon effectivity of this Act, the Migrant Workers 
Hospital shall be administered by a Board of Directors consisting of 
a) 
The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment as 
Ex-Officio Chairman; 
The 
Administrator 
of 
the 
Overseas Workers Welfare 
Administration as Ex-Officio Vice Chairman; 
c) 
The Secretary of the Department of Health as Ex-Officio 
Member; 
The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development as Ex-Officio Member; 
e) 
The Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment 
Administration as Ex-Officio Member; 
9 
Two (2) representatives from OFWs Sector (one from land- 
based and another from sea-based) as Members. 
b) 
d) 
The two representatives from the OFWs Sector shall be appointed by the 
President of the Republic of the Philippines from a list of nominees prepared by 
the Ex-Officio Chairman to serve for a term of three (3) years without 
reappointment. 
SEC 6. Responsibilities and Powers. - The Board of Directors of the 
To formulate and implement measures and programs to attain 
the Migrant Workers Hospital’s objectives and purposes as 
enunciated in Section 4 of this Act; 
To enter into agreements and contracts in connection with its 
establishment, maintenance, operations and objectives; 
To issue rules and regulations to carry out the objectives and 
purposes of this Act; 
To perform such other duties and functions as may be provided 
by law. 
Migrant Workers Hospital shall have the following responsibilities and powers: 
a) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
SEC 7. Appropriation. -The amount necessary for the establishment and 
initial operation of the Migrant Workers Hospital shall be taken from the National 
Treasury not othetwise appropriated. Subsequently, its appropriation shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations or part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


SEC 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,