Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

15" Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 1955

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo
Lone District of Pasig City

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution provides 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.” Towards this end,
the State must provide adequate and timely social, economic, legal, and health
services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or Filipino migrant workers

Recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the
national economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State must
undertake measures to ensure that their health care needs are adequately
addressed.

Through this proposed enactment, government hospitals are mandated to
establish an "OFW ward” within their premises that is equivalent to an additional
five (5) percent of their total bed capacity. This measure also provides the OFW
the privilege of priority in admission to a government hospital that has reached its
full capacity at the time the OFW seeks to be admitted

The undersigned believes that through this proposed enactment, two (2)
benefits can be achieved. First, if the health care needs of OFWs are properly
addressed in government hospitals, they are able to recover from their illnesses
quicker, allowing them to return to their foreign employment sooner. Second,
OFWs are given a privilege in recognition of their valuable contribution and
support to the national economy, for they are among the true, living heroes of our
society

For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought

Ba. Rt
ROMAN T. ROMULO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

15" Congress
First Regular Session,
15

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo
Lone District of Pasig City

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS
FOR THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS
OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. All government hospitals shall establish a separate and
exclusive ward within their premises to administer to the health care needs of
overseas Filipino workers ("OFWs"), or “migrant workers,” as defined by Sec. 3
(a) of R.A. No. 8042 (“Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995").

Section 2. All government hospitals shall, for this purpose, construct or
provide an additional five percent (5%) of their total number of bed capacity for
establishment of an OFW ward.

Section 3. An OFW shall be entitled to admission to the OFW ward,
provided he/she present a valid POEA identification card to the government
hospital's administration or admission section. If the hospital has reached its full
capacity at the time the OFW seeks to be admitted, he/she shall granted the
privilege of priority as soon as a bed becomes vacant

Section 4. The privilege granted in section 3 shall be applicable to the
OFW and to his qualified dependents.

Section 5. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be sourced from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Fund, in
the amount of 10% of the OWWA Fund.


Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of
Health is hereby authorized to promulgate implementing rules and regulations of
this Act.

Section 7. Repealing Clause — All laws, rules and regulations, and
executive orders, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. Severability — In case any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the other provisions, which shall
remain valid

Section 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation