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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

2728

No.

House

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create a hospital dedicated to overseas Filipino workers and their
dependents.

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. Pursuant to this, Republic
Act No. 8042 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995
was enacted to implement this State policy.

Due to differing culture, working conditions and upper-hand nature of overseas
employers characterizing overseas employment, overseas Filipino workers often find
themselves vulnerable to abuse, discrimination and exploitation. Some of them come home
with poor health conditions that need immediate attention, Based on statistics, about 42% of
all repatriated OFWs returned to the Philippines needing medical attention or hospital
confinement for various physical or mental illnesses sustained abroad

This bill seeks to address the health needs of overseas Filipino workers by creating a
hospital that exclusively caters to them. This proposed measure also aims to complement
the present package of health services provided by OWWA so as to include supplementary
Provisions for preventive, promotive, diagnostic and rehabilitative programs so that a
comprehensive/total health care for OFWs and their dependents can be had.

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

Ly
“if
IFUS B. ROBRIGUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No, 2728

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS HOSPITAL AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives 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
{o 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 tobe known as OFW Hospital, hereinafter referred te ae
the Hospital. The Hospital shall be developed consistent with the health care neds of the
OFW and their dependents. The Hospital shall be under the full administrative and technical
Supervision of the Department of Health (DOH)

SEC. 4. _ Objectives. — To ensure the availabilty, accessibility and affordability of quality
health care, the Hospital shall have the following main objectives:

(2) Provide comprehensive and total health care services to all migrant workers
including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWA) contributors, whether active cr
Non-active, and their legal dependents;

(P) 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

(c) 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. 8. (Medical Assistance. — The Secretary of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as
Chairperson of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Board, shall encurs
that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened to inchide,
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.

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

SEC. 10 Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
pnconstitutional, 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
reaulations 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,