NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No.
& '4 y.'S S3?nuu'r'
of tl;p £-?r; ff vrp
23 JUL20 P2:46
RECEIVED BY:__
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) HOSPITAL 
AND OFW CARE IN ALL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-RETAINED HOSPITALS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As the country's reckoned modern-day heroes, Overseas Filipino 
Workers(OFWs) have immensely contributed in keeping the economy afloat since 
1980 with their significant contribution through personal remittances which hit an all- 
time high of $34.9B in 2021 and accounted for 8.9 percent of our GDP.
Aside from leaving their families in the Philippines to have a better future, OFWs 
face various struggles and hardships abroad - managing finances, adjusting to a new 
work environment, dealing with cases of racism or discrimination, marginalization, 
and at times physical and emotional abuse that put them at risk for physical 
and mental health problems.
In recognition of their contributions and sacrifices, it is only fitting to establish 
a hospital that will specifically cater to needs and provide health care. This bill 
therefore aims to establish a specialty government hospital substantially devoted to


provide medical care and health services to Overseas Filipino Workers and their 
dependents, furthermore acknowledge their significant contribution to the country's 
economy as well.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earne^ly sought.
Raffy.T^J^lfo 
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
'I ^Luair
of fi;? ^-frr!ni7>
23 JUL20 P2:46
RECElVuD by;
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) HOSPITAL 
AND OFW CARE IN ALL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-RETAINED HOSPITALS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "OFW Hospital and OFW
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Care Centers Acf.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the 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) in recognition of their importance and 
contribution to economic development and nation building.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and 
phrases are defined as follows:
a. Dependents shall refer to any of the following: (1) the legal spouse entitled by 
law to receive support from the overseas Filipino worker; (2) the legitimate, 
legitimated, legally adopted, or Illegitimate child who is unmarried, not gainfully


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employed, and has not reached twenty-one (21) years of age, or if over twenty 
(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 are receiving regular support from the 
overseas Filipino worker;
b. Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) refers to a Filipino who is to be engaged, is 
engaged, or has been engaged in remunerated activity in a country of which 
he or she is not an immigrant citizen, or permanent resident 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 provision, 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." 
The term "OFW" is synonymous to "Migrant Worker";
c. OFW care center refers to a unit or department in a DOH-retalned hospital that 
offers services primarily to OFWs and their dependents, addressing their 
particular conditions and providing specific procedures and management of 
cases.
Sec. 4. Establishment of the OFW Hospital. - The Overseas Filipino Workers 
Hospital and Diagnostic Center located in San Fernando, Pampanga shall be known as 
the "OFW Hospital". The OFW Hospital shall have at least tertiary level of care and 
shall primarily cater to and be developed consistent with the medical needs of overseas 
Filipino workers and their dependents; Provided, That nothing herein shall prevent the 
OFW Hospital from accommodating patients other than the overseas Filipino workers 
and their dependents.
The OFW Hospital shall be under the administrative and technical supervision of 
the Department of Health (DOH); Provided, That in the performance of its mandate 
as herein provided, the DOH shall closely coordinate and consult with the Department 
of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Its attached agencies with regard to the medical and 
mental needs of the overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.


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The DOH, in consultation with the DMW, shall prepare a development plan to
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reflect the objectives of the OFW Hospital.
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Sec. 5. Objectives. - To ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of
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quality health care, the OFW Hospital shall have the following main objectives:
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a. To establish, operate and maintain medical facilities, including a medical and
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diagnostic center, for the welfare of OFWs and their qualified dependents, and
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as may be warranted, for the welfare of the general public;
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b. Provide comprehensive and total health care services to all migrants workers
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including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) contributors,
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whether active or non-active, and their legal dependents;
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c. To promote, encourage, engage in and publish scientific research on the
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prevention, care and treatment of occupational diseases common to OFWs,
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including the underwriting of researches on biological, demographic, social,
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economic, eugenic, physiological aspects of occupational disorders of OFWs,
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and conduct relevant congresses, conventions, seminars and conferences;
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a) to develop and encourage public Interest in, as well as the
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dissemination
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b) and exchange of information on:
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i. the prevention, treatment and control of diseases
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common to OFWs, and
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ii. OFW occupational health and physical fitness,
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especially the promotion of health and
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rehabilitation, and other related fields;
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c) Conduct medical examinations to ensure the physical and mental
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capability of would-be overseas contract workers duly covered by
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an approved job order;
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d) To assist and support universities, research Institutions and other
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hospitals or medical facilities in their studies on health-related
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concerns of OFWs.
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e) Serve as primary referral hospital for repatriated OFWs needing
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medical assistance and support;


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f) Setup system that will effectively monitor condition of patient and
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to generate relevant health information and data for policy
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formulation; and
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g) Participate in health care provider networks and arrangements
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relative to the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, or the
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"Universal Health Care Act."
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Sec. 6. Establishment of OFW Care Centers. - OFW care centers are hereby
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established in DOH-retained hospitals. The level of OFW services and corresponding
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facilities In OFW care centers and their respective health human resources
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requirements shall be determined by the DOH, in coordination with stakeholders:
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Provided, That the standards to be adopted thereon shall be consistent with the
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Philippine Health Facility Development Plan and Section 5 of this Act.
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Sec. 7. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The DOH, In
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coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall determine
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the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and list of plantilla positions of the OFW
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Hospital as it may deem necessary for the effective performance of the Hospital
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objectives, as well as the salaries of the personnel In accordance with the salary
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standardization law of the civil service rules and regulations.
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Sec. 8. Fees and Charges. - There shall be no pay ward in the OFW Hospital.
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As such, no other fees or expenses shall be charged or be paid for by the OFWs and
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qualified dependents. Doctors practicing in the OFW Hospital shall not be allowed to
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bill or charge for separate professional fees other than what they receive from the
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government and such applicable reimbursements from the Philippine Health Insurance
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Corporation (PhilHealth).
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Sec. 9. Medical Assistance. - The Secretary of the DMW shall ensure that
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existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened to include
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subsidies on the hospitalization and medical procedures for OFWs and qualified
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dependents.


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Sec. 10. Referral System. - The DMW shall establish a referral system with the
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OFW Hospital and OFW Care Centers to ensure proper delivery of services to qualified
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overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.
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Sec. 11. Creation of the OFW Hospital Board of Trustees and the Director of
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the OFW HospitalThere is hereby created an OFW Hospital Trust, for the benefit
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of Filipino OFWs, to be administered by a Board of Trustees, composed of seven (7)
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members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Director of the OFW
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Hospital shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees.
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The Director of the OFW Hospital shall concurrently serve a s the Secretary-
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General of the OFW Hospital Board of Trustees. The Director shall also act as the Chief
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Executive Officer of the OFW Hospital, with authority among others, to appoint,
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remove, and fix the compensation of the personnel thereof, subject to the approval
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of the Board of Trustees. Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute
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a quorum to transact business and any decision of such four members on any matter
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shall constitute a valid and binding act of the OFW Hospital.
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The Composition of the OFW Hospital Board shall be as follows:
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1) Chairperson: Secretary, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW);
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2) Co-Chairperson: Secretary, Department of Health (DOH); 3) Members:
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• Secretary, Department of Labor 8i Employment (DOLE);
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• Administrator, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA);
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• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
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The representatives of land-based and sea-based OFWs shall be appointed by
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the President from a list of nominees of their OFW organizations as endorsed by the
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Chairperson to the President. Such nominees shall be at least be forty (40) years of
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age, and an OFW with at least five (5) years of work experience abroad at the time of
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his or her nomination.
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The members of the Board may elect an alternate, and submit the name to the
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President for appointment. In case of vacancy, the head of the agency may nominate,
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subject to official appointment by the President of the Philippines.


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Sec. 12. Tax Exemption. - All grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and
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contributions made to the OFW Hospital to be used actually, directly, and exclusively
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by the OFW Hospital shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be
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considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor, in accordance
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with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
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The Importation of equipment, machinery and spare parts which are used solely
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and exclusively for the operation of the OFW Hospital and are not available locally
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shall be exempt from value-added tax and customs duty.
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Sec. 13. Coordination with and Assistance from Other Government Agencies.
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- The DOH shall collaborate with the DMW in the development of the programs and
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services of the OFW Hospital. It may likewise call upon any department, bureau, office,
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agency, or instrumentality of the government for assistance, in the pursuit of the
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purposes and objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 14. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Health shall include in the
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Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be
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included In the annual General Appropriations Act. The OWWA shall also include in its
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benefits and medical assistance programs for OFWs the line item budget necessary to
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improve the access of OFWs and dependents to health care services.
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Sec. 15. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the approval of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DMW, OWWA, and other
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stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry
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out the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 16. Separabiiity Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is
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declared to be unconstitutional or Invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof
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which are not affected thereby shall continue to be In full force or effect.
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Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws; decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
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parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,