REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

July 8, 2022

11:39 am

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _1642

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish the Overseas Filipino Workers
hospital that will protect the interest and well-being of our overseas
workers. This bill has already been approved by the House of
Representatives on its 3" and final reading in the 17‘ Congress.
Considering however the significance of this bill recognizing the
welfare of the overseas Filipino workers, it is imperative that this bill
be filed.

The State recognizes the indispensable role of the overseas
contract workers to nation development. To this end, the Philippines
has even ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Migrants
Workers and their Families in 1995. Republic Act 8042 was even
passed to “institute the policies of overseas and establish a higher
standard of protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant
workers, their families and overseas Filipinos in distress.” Section 2
(c) of the said law amplified, “(w)hile recognizing the significant
contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the national economy
through their foreign exchange remittances, the State does not
promote overseas employment as a means to sustain economic
growth and achieve national development. The existence of the
overseas employment program rests solely on the assurance that the
dignity and fundamental human rights and freedom of the Filipino
citizens shall not, at any time be compromised or violated. The State,
therefore, shall continuously create local employment opportunities
and promote the equitable distribution of wealth and the benefits of
development.”



We are fully cognizant of the fact that a good number of our
migrant workers, because of unfavorable working conditions abroad,
come back to our country in destitute. Some of whom are even
debilitated. It is thus necessary that their dignity and fundamental
rights to equitable distribution of wealth and benefits be secured.
This can be assured with the establishment of a tertiary hospital that
will cater to the needs of our migrant workers and their dependents.

In full recognition of the contributions of our migrant workers,
the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

. PRIMIC! -AGABAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1642

MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS 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 "Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFW) Hospital Act or OFW Hospital Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is policy of the State to protect and promote
the right to health of the Filipino people and to instill health consciousness
among them. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development. Further, the State shall protect the interest
and promote the well-being of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) as
recognition of their importance and contribution to economic development
and nation building.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the OFW Hospital. — There shall be established a
hospital with at least tertiary level of care to be known as OFW Hospital,
hereinafter referred to as the Hospital. The Hospital shall be developed
consistent with the health care needs of the OFW and their dependents.
The Hospital shall be under the full administrative and technical supervision
of the Department of Health (DOH).


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SEC. 4. Objectives. - To ensure the availability, accessibility and
affordability of quality health care, the Hospital shall have the following main
objectives;

(a) Provide comprehensive and total health care services to all
migrant workers including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA) contributors, whether active or non-active, and their legal
dependents;

(b) Conduct medical examinations to ensure the physical and mental
capability of would-be overseas contract workers duly covered by an
approved job order;

(©) Serve as primary referral hospital for repatriated OFW needing
medical assistance and support;

(d) Set up systems that will effectively monitor condition of patients
and to generate relevant health information and data for policy
formulation; and

(e) Participate in the health care provider networks and
arrangements relative to the implementation of Republic Act No.
11223, or the “Universal Health Care Act’.

SEC. 5. Medical Assistance. - The Secretary of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), as Chairperson of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA) Board, shall ensure that existing health benefits and medical
assistance programs are strengthened to include, among others, subsidies
on hospitalization and medical procedures for OFW and qualified
dependents.

SEC. 6. Joint Executive Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a
Joint Executive Oversight Committee on OFW Hospital to review and

recommend hospital development plans and ensure implementation of this
Act.


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The Committee shall be co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and
the Secretary of Labor and Employment. It shall be composed of seven (7)
members including the co-chairs. The members shall be appointed by the
Secretary of Health upon consultation with the Secretary of Labor and
Employment.

SEC. 7. 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 which are
used solely 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. 8. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Health shall include in the
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The OWWA
shall also include in their benefits and medical assistance programs for
OFW the line item budget necessary to improve the access of OFW and
dependents to health care services.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
the approval of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with DOLE, OWWA,
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and other
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations
(IRR) to carry out the provisions of this Act.


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SEC. 10. 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 provisions hereof.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,