NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
s. No. 2340
of tljf
23 JUL24 PI :23
RliCEIVED Bi*:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
CONVERTING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS HOSPITAL AS A LEVEL 
III HOSPITAL UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Cash remittances sent by Overseas Filipinos for 2022 amounted to USD 32.5 
billion, up by nearly 4% from cash remittances sent in 20211. According to the 
Department of Foreign Affairs' Report to Congress on Assistance-to-Nationals, as of 
June 2022 there were 4.3 million Filipino documented migrant workers and 1.2 million 
undocumented migrant workers all over the world.
Most migrant workers have left the country in search of better opportunities 
abroad and to provide for their families, sacrificing time they could have spent with 
loved ones, contending with work-related stress coupled with an unfamiliar work 
environment, and racism. For a large number of migrant workers, much of their 
productive years have been spent abroad, working towards providing for a better life 
for loved ones back home and setting aside savings which oftentimes could be 
depleted due to health or medical expenses.
1 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Overseas 
https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Statistics/External/Table%2011.pdf
Filipinos' Cash Remittances.


According to a Department of Science and Technology - National Research 
Council of the Philippines study on Common Health Problems of Overseas Filipino 
Workers (OFWs), participants of the health problems survey noted that they did not 
experience any major health problems prior to deployment, thus passing the Pre- 
Employment Medical Examinations of the Department of Health (DOH). However, 
during employment overseas participants suffered from hypertension, body pain, 
diabetes, allergy, asthma, high cholesterol, hepatitis, high blood pressure, eye 
problem, and pneumonia.2 According to the same study, data from the Overseas 
Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation show 
that the most common health problems OFWs have stated in the availment of their 
medical benefits while abroad or upon return to the Philippines are related to 
Cardiovascular, Digestive, and Reproductive Systems. By occupational group, those 
involved in household service work have the most number of health problems, which 
include Cardiovascular, Digestive, and Endocrine diseases. While migrant workers 
involved in service, technical and machine operation work have availed of medical 
benefits for Cardiovascular and Urinary/Excretory diseases.
The BSP Survey on the Expenditures of Overseas Filipino Workers found that 
food and other household needs had the lion's share of OFW household expenses at 
95.6%, followed by education at 60.8%, and medical expenses at 50.1%. Savings 
meanwhile was at 34.9% and investment at 5.4%3. It is only fitting that for the aspect 
of health, there will be a facility that would allow for an affordable and accessible 
option for healthcare services for them and for their dependents. Migrant workers who 
have spent their economically-active years overseas should have a recourse for health 
services especially for those at the sunset of their careers.
This bill seeks to convert the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital (OFWH) as a 
Level III hospital under the direct supervision and control of the Department of 
Migrant Workers. The OWFH shall cater primarily to the healthcare needs of OFWs
2 Ramirez, V. E. Common Health Problems of Overseas FHipino Workers (OFWs): Implication to 
Prevention and Health. Department of Science and Technology - National Research Council of the 
Philippines, 2022.
3 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. (2023). Consumer Expectations Survey Report, 2nd Quarter 2023.


and their qualified dependents, including 24/7 telehealth services. It shall likewise 
serve as a referral facility for repatriated OFWs requiring medical assistance and 
support, develop training programs for medical and allied medical professionals which 
shall focus on strengthening occupational and migrant health services in the country, 
serve as a medical facility providing pre-employment medical examination for OFWs, 
and strengthen health surveillance through post-employment or post-arrival medical 
examinations for OFWs.
The bill mandates the DOFI to establish OFW centers or wards in DOFI-retained 
hospitals to complement the OFWFI as well as endorse and encourage medical 
specialists in government hospitals such as the Philippine Fleart Center, National 
Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Children's 
Flospital, and the Philippine General Flospital to hold clinics in the OFWFI.
In view of the foregoing circumstances, immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought.
JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 2340
,<(^1 ^cnfitr
...
O&Oicf of tlje &>nctU'iy
23 JUL 24 PI :23
RtCEIVEDBV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
CONVERTING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS HOSPITAL AS A LEVEL 
III HOSPITAL UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be ft enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Overseas Filipino
2 
Workers Hospital Act.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated
4 
and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
5 
essential goods, health, and other social services available to all people at an
6 
affordable cost. Towards this end, the State shall protect the interest and promote the
7 
well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through the provision of social welfare
8 
services in recognition of their importance and contribution to economic and nation-
9 
building.
10 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
11 
a. Dependents sha 11 refer to a ny of the fol lowi ng:
12 
1. The legal spouse entitled by law to receive support from the OFW;
13 
2. The legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, or illegitimate child who
14 
is unmarried, not gainfully employed, and has not reached twenty-
15 
one (21) years of age, or if over twenty-one (21) years go age, is
16 
congenitally incapacitated or while still a minor has been permanently


1 
incapacitated and incapable of self-support, physically, or mentally;
2 
or
3 
3. The parents who are receiving regular support from the OFW;
4 
b. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) refers to a Filipino who is to be engaged,
5 
is engaged, or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a country of
6 
which said person is not an immigrant citizen, or a permanent resident of,
7 
or is not awaiting naturalization, recognition, or admission, whether land-
8 
based or sea-based regardless of status; excluding a Filipino engaged under
9 
a government-recognized exchange visitor program for cultural or
10 
educational purposes. For purposes of this Act, a person engaged in
11 
remunerated activity covers a person who has been contracted for overseas
12 
employment but has yet to leave the Philippines, regardless of status, and
13 
includes Overseas Contract Workers.
14 
Sec. 4. Conversion of the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital as a Level III
15 
Hospital. - There shall be established in the City of San Fernando, Province of
16 
Pampanga, a Level III hospital to be known as the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital
17 
(OFWH), which shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Department of
18 
Migrant Workers (DMW). It shall cater primarily to the healthcare needs of OFWs and
19 
their qualified dependents, subject to the limitations under existing laws, rules, and
20 
regulations: Provided, That nothing herein shall prevent the OWFH from
21 
accommodating patients other than OFWs or their qualified dependents.
22 
The Medical Center Chief of OWFH shall, in consultation with the DMW and the
23 
Department of Health (DOH), prepare the hospital development plan to reflect the
24 
development goals of the hospital including its bed capacity and service capability.
25 
Requests for staffing requirements, capital outlay investments, and budgetary needs
26 
for operations shall be based on the hospital development plan.
27 
The DOH shall support the OFWH through the provision of technical assistance,
28 
extending capital outlay, and monitoring of the hospital's compliance with standards
29 
to deliver quality healthcare.
30 
Sec. 5. Purposes and Objectives. - The OWFH shall:


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
a. Provide comprehensive and total health care services to all migrant workers 
including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) contributors, 
whether active or inactive, their legal dependents, and the general public;
b. Serve as a referral facility for repatriated OFWs needing medical assistance 
and support while ensuring its participation in the provincial and inter­
regional healthcare provider networks to all for a seamless and coordinated 
referral system for the medical repatriation program in accordance with 
Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the "Universal Health Care 
Act";
c. Promote, encourage, engage in, and publish scientific research on the 
prevention, care, and treatment of occupational diseases common to OFWs, 
including the underwriting of research on biological, demographic, social, 
economic, eugenics, physiological aspects of occupational disorders of 
OWFs, and conduct relevant congresses, conventions, seminars, and 
conferences;
d. Develop training programs for medical and allied medical professionals 
which shall focus on strengthening occupational and migrant health services 
in the country and the creation of specialized services;
e. Provide 24/7 telehealth services to migrant workers and their families; the 
service may be extended at the Philippine foreign post of the Philippine 
Overseas Labor Office to assist in the medical assessment and management 
of distressed OFWs while awaiting repatriation;
f. 
Establish the OFWH as a medical facility providing pre-employment medical 
examination for OFWs;
g. Strengthen health surveillance through the provision of a post-employment 
or post-arrival medical examination for OFWs, in consonance with Republic 
Act No. 8042, as amended, otherwise known as the "Migrant Workers and 
Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995" and the DOH's Philippine Migrant Health 
Program;
h. Raise public awareness and conduct a massive information drive on the 
prevention, treatment, and control of diseases common to OFWs, 
occupational health and safety, and physical fitness; and


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
i. Assist and support universities, research institutions, and other hospitals or 
medical facilities in their studies on health-related concerns of OFWs.
Sec. 6. Powers of the OFWH. - The OFWH shall have the power to:
a. Acquire and hold, in any manner, property of whatever nature or 
description, and to dispose of such property under any mode of 
encumbrance or conveyance;
b. Contract and be contracted with;
c. Levy, assess, and collect such fees, charges, and assessments as may be 
necessary or proper to support, finance, and maintain its operation;
d. Mortgage, lease, sell, transfer, convey, or otherwise dispose of its 
properties;
e. Invest in, and purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, use, lease grant, 
mortgage, sell, transfer, or otherwise deal with, real and/or personal 
properties of every kind and nature, including shares of stock, bonds, notes 
and other evidence of indebtedness or obligations of other corporations 
whether government or private;
f. Solicit and receive donations, endowments, and funds in the form of 
contributions, whether In cash or in kind, from both the public and private 
sectors subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and 
regulations;
g. Open such accounts in banks and other financial institutions, and to disburse 
such funds or invest the same as the DMW Secretary may direct to 
accomplish or advance the purposes or interest of the hospital;
h. Invite foreign specialists and similar experts in the various medical fields not 
available in the country; to train the personnel, trainees, and residents;
i. 
Send the personnel to research institutes, medical institutes, or universities 
for advance training or observation and to attend international or regional 
conventions, conferences, congresses, and seminars as the Medical Center 
Chief may deem necessary to accomplish the purposes and objectives of 
the hospital and subject to the approval of the DMW Secretary; and
j. 
Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental 
for the accomplishment of the purposes and objectives of the OFWH.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Sec. 7. Duties and Responsibilities of the DMW. - The DMW shall:
a. Establish a focal office for migration and health in the DMW to ensure that 
the country's migrant health program is mainstreamed in the plans and 
programs of the OFWH, which shall include:
1. Assistance in identifying, documenting, processing, and approving 
applications for benefits granted to OFWs and their qualified 
dependents;
2. Establishment of a referral system within the OFWH to ensure 
efficient delivery of medical and health care services to OFWs and 
their qualified dependents;
3. Strengthening of the existing health benefits and medical assistance 
programs such as subsidies on hospitalization and medical 
procedures for OFWs and their qualified dependents, subject to the 
availability of funds and resources; and
4. Active engagement in the Philippine Migrant Health Network, an 
inter-agency, multi-stakeholder network for migrant health, 
composed of members from other government, non-governmental 
agencies, academe, civil society organizations, private sector, and 
international organizations, to advocate and lobby support for 
migrant health programs;
b. Formulate and promulgate policies, programs, and plans for the sound 
administration, maintenance, and operations of the OFWH in consultation 
with the Medical Center Chief;
c. Determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the OFWH in 
accordance with the revised compensation and position classification system 
subject to the evaluation and approval of the DBM and in compliance with 
the civil service and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations;
d. Appoint and remove OFWH personnel upon the recommendation of the 
Medical Center Chief subject to civil service rules and regulations and other 
applicable laws;
e. Create a consultative committee and other necessary mechanisms for the 
effective participation of land-based and sea-based accredited OFW


1 
organizations in the formulation of policies for the effective implementation
2 
of programs and measures to attain the objectives of the OFWH;
3 
f. Determine and undertake, in coordination with the Governance Commission
4 
for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporation, the appropriate steps for
5 
the formal establishment and incorporation of the OFW Flospital in
6 
accordance with Republic Act No. 10149, otherwise known as the "GOCC
7 
Governance Act of 2011": Provided, That the OFWFI shall remain under the
8 
full control and supervision of the DMW, unless Congress shall provide
9 
otherwise; and
10 
g. Perform such other functions that are necessary for the attainment of the
11 
purposes and objectives of this Act.
12 
Sec. 8. Medical Center Chief. - The Medical Center Chief shall be appointed by
13 
the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the DMW Secretary.
14 
The Medical Center Chief shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
15 
a. Provide overall direction and strategic leadership to the OFWH toward the
16 
provision of high-quality health services;
17 
b. Oversee all managerial and administrative processes and operations of all
18 
department of the OFWH;
19 
c. Supervise daily activities of functional units;
20 
d. Ensure high standards in clinical training for medical and allied medical
21 
personnel;
22 
e. Execute, on behalf of the hospital, all contracts and agreements which the
23 
hospital may enter into and accomplish and deliver any and all documents
24 
relative to such contracts and agreements, subject to the approval of the
25 
DMW Secretary;
26 
f. Represent the hospital in all dealing with other offices, agencies, and
27 
instrumentalities of the Government and all other persons or entities,
28 
whether domestic or foreign and whether government or private; and
29 
g. Exercise such other powers and perform such duties as may be vested or
30 
reposed by the DMW.
31 
Sec. 9. Duties and Responsibilities of the DOH. - The DOH shall:


1 
a. Ensure that the necessary permits and licenses to operate the OFWH are
2 
obtained, consistent with relevant issuances, rules, and regulations;
3 
b. Endorse and encourage medical specialists in other government hospitals
4 
such as the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant
5 
Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Children's Hospital, and
6 
the Philippine General Hospital, to hold clinics in the OFWH;
7 
c. Establish OFW centers or wards in DOH-retained hospitals to complement
8 
the OFWH. The level of OFW services and corresponding facilities in OFW
9 
centers or wards in their respective health human resource requirements
10 
shall be determined by the DOH, in coordination with stakeholders:
11 
Provided, That the standards to be adopted thereon shall be consistent with
12 
the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan; and
13 
d. Perform such other functions that are necessary for the attainment of the
14 
purposes and objectives of this Act.
15 
Sec. 10. Support from other Government Agencies. - The OWWA shall ensure
16 
that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened for
17 
OFWs and their qualified dependents: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall be
18 
construed to diminish or reduce the existing benefits of OFWs and their dependents
19 
provided under Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the "Universal Health
20 
Care Act".
21 
All other agencies, department, bureaus, offices, or instrumentalities of the
22 
government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, shall render
23 
assistance to the OFWH for the effective implementation of this Act.
24 
Sec. 11. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a Joint
25 
Congressional Oversight Committee which shall be jointly chaired by the Chairpersons
26 
of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and the House of
27 
Representatives Committee on Health. It shall be composed of five (5) members from
28 
the Senate and five (5) members from the House of Representatives, to be appointed
29 
by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
30 
respectively: Provided, That at least one (1) member from each house shall come from
31 
the Minority.


1 
Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation
2 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the concerned
3 
departments and agencies. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual
4 
General Appropriations Act.
5 
Sec. 13. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within sixty (60) days upon
6 
approval of this Act, the DMW shall, in consultation with the DOH and OWWA,
7 
promulgate and issue the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions
8 
of this Act.
9 
Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared
10 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
11 
Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - Executive Order No. 154, series of 2021, is hereby
12 
repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other issuances or
13 
parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
14 
modified accordingly.
15 
Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
16 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
17 
circulation.
Approved,