Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Congressional Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 3601 Nay

Introduced by Representative Marlyn L.. Primicias-Agabas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 3, Article XIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that, “The State
shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and

promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.”

Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) are our modern day heroes. They sacrifice
their chance of being with their loved ones just to provide a better future for them. Along
with that, they contribute significantly to the growth of the national economy. However,
‘our OCWs often find themselves helpless against abuse and exploitation, Also, the nature

of work they had to endure requires specific medical attention.

‘The State recognizes that the protection of OCWs also contemplates the provision
of social services, like medical and health care, Pursuant to the above provision, the
Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, was enacted, and, as amended, declares it a
policy of the State to "afford full protection to labor, local and overseas" and to "provide

adequate and timely social, economic, and legal services to Filipino migrant workers."


In line with that, this bill seeks the establishment of a special hospital for OCWs
and their dependents. It will address the healthcare needs of our OCWs and their
dependents, through medical services to be provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare
‘Administration and other contributors. It is but a small contribution compared to the

sacrifices they have to endure for their families and for the country.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

MARL a
val tative
Sixth District, Pangasinan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Congressional Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._3601

Introduced by Representative Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL HOSPITAL FOR OVERSEAS CONTRACT
WORKERS (OCWS) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 "OCW HOSPITAL ACT OF
2014"

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 its citizens at an affordable cost
Further, the State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas. Toward this end,

the State shall protect the interest and promote the well-being of Filipino overseas


contract workers including their families and dependents through the provision of social

and welfare services.

SEC. 3. Creation of a Special Hospital. - To carry out the above policy, a migrant
workers' hospital to be named as the OWWA MIGRANT WORKERS HOSPITAL is

hereby created under the supervision and control of the Overseas Workers Welfare

Administration.

SEC. 4, Objectives. - To ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of quality
health care, the OFW HOSPITAL shall

a)

b)

d

d)

Provide for comprehensive/total health care service to all migrant workers who are
OWWA contributors and their legal dependents;

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
would-be overseas Filipino workers duly covered by an approved job order; and
Set-up a system that will effectively monitor the condition of patients and to

generate relevant information/ data in aid of policy formulation.

SEC. 5. Administration. - Upon effectivity of this Act, the OWWA MIGRANT
WORKERS HOSPITAL shall be administered by a Board of Directors consisting of:

4) The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment as Ex-Officio
Chairman;

b) The Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration as Ex-
Officio Vice-Chairman,

) The Secretary of the Department of Health as Ex-Officio member,

4) 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; and
f) Two (2) representatives from the OFW sector (one land based and one sea

based) as members

The two (2) representatives from the OFW 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, Responsibility and Powers. - The Board of Directors of the OWWA MIGRANT
WORKERS HOSPITAL shall have the following responsibilities and powers:

a) To formulate and implement measures and programs to attain the OWWA
MIGRANT WORKERS HOSPITAL's objectives and purposes as enunciated in
Section 4 of this Act,

b) b) 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,
and

4) To perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. ~ An amount necessary for the establishment and initial
operation of the OWWA MIGRANT WORKERS HOSPITAL shall be taken out from the
funds of the Medical Care Program for Overseas Contract Workers and the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration. Subsequently, its appropriation shall be included in the
Annual General Appropriations Act

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, rules or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly


SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional

or invalid, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,