Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF RF,PRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONG RESS
First Regular Session
H.use Bill N..  7996
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE 0VERS.HAS FILIPINO WORKERS HOSPITAL AN]D
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
HXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII Section  11  of the  1987 Constitution provides that the State shall 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.
The Philippine Statistics Authority I.eports that the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has
reached 2.3 million. The most common health problems among the OFWs are the following: diseases
related    to    cardiovascular,    reproductive,    digestive,    and    urinary    excretory    systems.    Fuirther,
hypertension,  arthritis,  and  hepatitis  are  the highest ones  recorded  among OFWs.  According 1:o  the
research,   the   main   reasons   that   explain   their   attitude   of  not   seeking   proper   medical   health
maintenance are the lack of awareness of their benefits, distance between health service center.s and
their workplace, fear of losing their job, and reliance on self-medication to save up their income for
their families.
Thus, this bill seeks to provide a 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  by  establishing the  Overseas  Filipino  Workers  Hospital.  It  shall
serve as the primary hospital for repatriated OFWs needing medical assistance and support.
This   ineasure   previously   passed   the   third   reading   in   the   l8`h   Congress.   It   was   propose:d   by
Representatives Angelina "Helen" D.L. Tan, M.D., Strike 8.  Revilla, Rufus 8. Rodriguez, Vicl:or A.
Yap, Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, Luis Raymund "LRay" F. Villafuerte, Jr., "Kuya" Jose AI-itonio
R.  Sy-Alvarado, Florida "Rida" P. Robes, Estrellita 8.  Suansing, Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, I)ahlia
A. Loyola, Ma. Lourdes T. Arroyo. Diego C. Ty, Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Emmarie "Lolypop" M.
Ouano-Dizon, Angelica Natasha Co.  Elpidio F.  Barzaga, Jr., Deogracias Victor "DV" 8.  Savellano,
Michael  T.  Defensor, Edgar M.  Chatto,  Paul R Daza, Ressurrecion M.  Acop, J.  Mayo Z. Almario,
Aurelio "Dong" D. Gonzales, Jr.. Stella Luz A. Quimbo, P{rra C. Radaza, Wilter "Sharky" Wee I'alma
11, Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr., Gil A. Acosta, Jr., Eduardo R. Gullas, Ferdinand L. Hernandez, Gerardo J.
Espina, Jr. Ferdinand R.  Gaite,  Weslie T.  Gatchalian, Janice Z.  Salimbangon,  Irene Gay E.  S€iulog,
David  C.  Suarez,  Cyrille  F.  Abueg-Zaldivar,  Leo Rafael  M.  Cueva,  Ciriaco 8.  Gato,  Jr.,  Francisco
Jose F.  Matugas  li, John Marvin  "Yul  Servo" C. Nieto,  Faustino Michael  Carlos T.  Dy Ill. R()gelio
Neil  P.  Roque,  John  Reynald  M.  Tiangco,  Jocelyn  S.  Limkaichong,  Ma.  Bemardita  8.  Ramos,
Domingo  C.  Rlvera.  Eric  Go  Yap,  Evelina  G.  Escudero,  Kristine  Singson-Meehan,  Rose  Marie
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"Baby" J. Arenas, Henry.  S. Oaminal, Pablo John F. Garcia, Christopher V.P. De Venecia, Ruffy a.
Biazon, Peter John D. Calderon, Luis N. Campos, Jr., Junie E. Cua, Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, M.anuel
Jose  "Mannix"  M.  Dalipe,  Michael  John  R.  Duavit,  Vincent  Franco  "Duke"  D.  Frasco,  Greg    G.
Gasataya,   Ruwel   Peter   Gonzaga,   Teodorico   Haresco,   Jr.,   Romeo   S.   Momo,   Sr.,   Manuel   T.
Sagarbarria,  Jose  "Pingping"  I.  Tejada,  Micaela  S.  Violago,  Antonio  "Tonypet"  T.  Albano,  Yasser
Alonto  Balindong,  Alfel  M.  Bascug,  Jose  Francisco  "Kiko"  8.  Benitez,  Ph.D.,  Argel  Joseph  T.
Cabatbat,  Wilfredo  "Willy"  S.  Caminero,  Carl  Nicolas  C.  Cari,  Sergio  C.  Dagooc,  Abdumin  D.
Dimaporo, Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, Alan R. Dujali, Faustino "Irmo" A. Dy V, Ian Paul I,. Dy,
Michael  8..  Gorriceta,  Eduardo  `.Eddie"  R.  Gullas,  Godofredo  N.  Guya,  Glona  G.  Labad].abad,
Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Maricel G. Natividad~Nagafio, Jose "Jun" L. Ong, Jr., Pablo C. Ortega,
Allan Benedict S. Reyes, Geraldine a. Roman, Joy Myra S. Tambunting, Alyssa Sheena P. Tan, Lucy
Torres-Gomez,  Kristine  Alexie  8.  Tutor,   Sainantha  Louise  Vargas  Alfonso,  Rosarma  "Rizl"  V.
Vergara,  Presley  C.  De  Jesus,  Lorenz R.  Defensor,  Wilfrido Mark M.  Enverga,  Jonathan Ke.ith  T.
Flores, and Mark 0. Go as principal authors thei.eof.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is eamestly sought.
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Republic of the Plii]ippines
HOUSB 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBi||No.7996
Introduced by Repl.esentative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino
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AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS HOSPITAL AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by lhe Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION  1.  S¢or/  rl.//e.  -  This  Act  shall  be  known  as  the  "Oversecrs  F!./j.p!.#o  WroJ.ifers  /OFW7
Hospital Act or OFW Hospital Act."
SEC. 2. Dec/cJra/;.o;? o/Po/j.c);. -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  proinote  the  well-being  of overseas  Filipino  workers  (OFWs)  in  recognition  of their
importance and contribution to economic development and nation building.
SEC. 3. Es/crb/I.sA#Ie#/ o/OFW Hapi./cr/.  -There shall be established a hospital with at least tertiary
level  of care to  be  known as "OFW  Hospital'9,  hereinafter referred  to  as the Hospital.  The Hospital
shall'  be  developed  consistent  with  the  health  care  needs  of the  OFWs  and  their  dependents.  The
Hospital shall be under the full  administrative and technical supervision of the Departm€mt of Health
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The DOH shall prepare a development plan to reflect the goals of the Hospital.
SEC. 4. Ody.ec/i.veg. -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;
c)    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
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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. Medi.ccr/ .4ssi.S/cr#ce. -The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employmen.t a)OLE), as
Chairperson  of the  OWWA Board,  shall  ensure that existing health benefits  and  medical  assistance
programs  are strengthened to  include  subsidies  on  hospitalization  and  medical  procedures  for OFW
and qualified dependents.
SI]C. 6. Joi.#j Execwfj.ve Ova;.sz.gfo/ Comm!.//ee.  - There is hereby created a Joint Executive Oversight
Committee to review the  implementation of this Act and   hospital development plans for the OFW
2        Hospital.
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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 its co-chairpersons. The members
shall  be  appointed  by  the  Secretary  of Health  upon  consultation  with  the  Secretary  of Labor  and
Employment.
SEC. 7. rcur &emp/..o#. - 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 lntemal 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
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SEC.  8. .4ppropr!.cr/i.o#s.  -  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   aunual   General
Appropriations Act. The OWWA shall also include in its benefits and medical assistance programs for
OFW the line item budget necessary to improve the access of OFWs and dependents to health care
3 2        services.
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SEC. 9. J"p/emen/i.#g Rw/es c]#d Regw/cl/I.o#S. - 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
37       carry out the provisions of this Act.
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SBC.  10.  Sepcrrc7b!./I.ty  C/clwse.  -If any  provision  of this  Act  is  held  unconstitutional  or  invalid,  all
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SEC.  11.  jiepecr/j.#g  C/clzjse.  -All  laws,  decrees,  executive  orders,  rules  and  regulations  or  parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modifled accordingly.
SEC.12. E#ec/I.vi.fy. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication  in the O#cz.¢/
Gcrze/!e or in a newspaper of general circulation.
4 8                      Approved ,
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