TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE 
S. No. ^
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25 JUL 10 P4 -4A
RECElVtii
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong"T. Go
AN ACT
ENHANCING THE MEDICAL ACCESS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AND 
THEIR FAMILIES, INSTITUTIONALIZING FOR THE PURPOSE THE OVERSEAS 
FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) HOSPITAL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are widely hailed as the country's "modern- 
day heroes", not only for their significant remittances that bolster the national 
economy and increase the Gross Domestic Product, but also for their sacrifices. In 
pursuit of a better future for their families, millions of Filipinos leave the country each 
year, often facing the emotional burden of separation and the challenges of working 
in unfamiliar and sometimes exploitative environments abroad.
As the number of OFWs continue to rise, numerous problems and challenges 
confront them and their families. These include issues such as illegal recruitment, 
labor exploitation, contract violations, and lack of adequate legal assistance. Beyond 
these, a pressing yet often overlooked concern is the limited access of OFWs to timely 
and appropriate healthcare services, both while abroad and upon their return.
OFWs often endure hazardous working conditions, long hours, and physical or 
emotional stress, yet many are deployed to countries where healthcare is expensive, 
inaccessible, or entirely unavailable to migrant workers. When medical emergencies


arise, access to proper diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care becomes uncertain, 
leading to worsening conditions or prolonged suffering. For returning OFWs, the lack 
of specialized health programs also poses a serious gap, especially for those with 
work-related illnesses or trauma.
These realities underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive and 
institutionalized healthcare framework specifically designed for OFWs and their 
families. In line with this, and as a recognition of the vital contributions of overseas 
Filipinos to the country, former President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 
154 in 2021, establishing the OFW Hospital in Pampanga. The hospital is envisioned 
to provide comprehensive and dedicated healthcare services to all OFWs and their 
dependents, and to strengthen the government's reintegration efforts by addressing 
the medical needs of returning migrant workers.
In order to harmonize policies and functions of different agencies, and ensure 
sufficient funding for the hospital, this proposed measure institutionalizes the OFW 
Hospital under the administrative supervision of the Department of Migrant Workers.
In coordination with the DOH, the OFW Hospital will provide 24/7 telehealth 
services to migrant workers and their families. This service can be extended at the 
Philippine foreign post to assist in the medical assessment and management of 
distressed OFWs while awaiting repatriation. This bill will also strengthen health 
surveillance through the provision of a post-employment or post-arrival medical 
examination for OFWs.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER ^WRENCE "BONG" T. GO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 414
5 C’
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of t'je 
rr
25 JUL 10 P4 M
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
ENHANCING THE MEDICAL ACCESS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AND 
THEIR FAMILIES, ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE THE OVERSEAS 
FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) HOSPITAL, 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 Act of 
2025."
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 wellbeing 
of overseas Filipino workers in recognition of their importance and contribution to 
economic development and nation building.
SEC. 3. Establishment of the OFW Hospital. — There shall be an Overseas Filipino 
Workers (OFW) Hospital located in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The OFW 
Hospital 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 overseas Filipino 
workers and their dependents.


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For purposes of this Act, 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 employed, and has not reached twenty-one (21) years of age, or if over 
twenty-one (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.
SEC. 4. Management of the OFW Hospital. -The OFW Hospital shall be under the 
administrative supervision of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): Provided, 
That in the performance of its mandate as herein provided, the DMW shall closely 
coordinate and consult with the Department of Health (DOH). The Hospital Chief of 
the OFW Hospital, in consultation with the DOH, shall prepare a development plan to 
reflect the objectives of the OFW Hospital.
SEC. 5. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern of the OFW Hospital. - The 
OFW Hospital shall be headed by a Medical Center Chief who is a licensed physician 
and with experience in hospital administration and management for at least five (5) 
years. The Medical Center Chief shall be appointed by the Secretary of Migrant 
Workers upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Health.
The DMW, in coordination with the DOH and Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), shall determine the organizational structure, staffing pattern, 
and list of plantilla positions of the OFW Hospital as it may deem necessary for the 
effective performance of the OFW Hospital, in accordance with civil service rules and 
regulations.
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. - To ensure the availability, accessibility, and 
affordability of quality health care, the OFW Hospital shall have the following duties 
and functions:
(a) Provide comprehensive and total health care services to all OFWs and their 
dependents;


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(b) Conduct pre-employment medical examinations for prospective OFWs duly 
covered by an approved job order;
(c) 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 allow 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;
(d) Set up systems that will effectively monitor condition of patients and to 
generate relevant health information and data for policy formulation;
(e) Promote, encourage, engage in and publish scientific research on the 
prevention, care and treatment of occupational diseases common to OFWs, 
including the underwriting of researches on biological, demographic, social, 
economic, physiological aspects of occupational disorders of OFWs;
(f) Develop and encourage public interest in, as well as the dissemination and 
exchange of information on the prevention, treatment and control of diseases 
common to OFWs, and OFW occupational health and physical fitness, especially 
the promotion of health and rehabilitation, and other related fields;
(g) In coordination with the DOH, encourage and undertake the training of 
physicians, nurses, medical technicians, health officers and social workers on 
the practical and scientific conduct and implementation of OFW occupational 
health services;
(h) In coordination with the DOH, provide 24/7 telehealth services to migrant 
workers and their families. The service may be extended at the Philippine 
foreign post or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office to assist in the medical 
assessment and management of distressed OFWs while awaiting repatriation;
(i) In coordination with the DOH, strengthen health surveillance through the 
provision of a post-employment or post-arrival medical examination for OFWs; 
and
(j) Assist and support universities, research institutions and other hospitals or 
medical facilities in their studies on health-related concerns of OFWs.
SEC. 7. Establishment of OFW Wards. - The DOH shall establish OFW centers or


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wards in DOH-retained hospitals to complement the OFW Hospital. The level of OFW 
services and corresponding facilities in OFW centers or wards and their respective 
health human resource requirements shall be determined by the DOH, in coordination 
with stakeholders: Provided, That the standards to be adopted thereon shall be 
consistent with the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan.
SEC. 8. Medical Assistance. - The Secretary of the DMW shall ensure that existing 
health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened to include subsidies 
on hospitalization and medical procedures for OFWs and qualified dependents: 
Provided, That nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or reduce the existing 
benefits of OFWs and their dependents provided under Republic Act No. 11223, 
otherwise known as the ""Universal Health Care Act."
SEC. 9. Referral System. - The DMW shall establish a referral system with the OFW 
Hospital and OFW Care Centers to ensure proper delivery of services to qualified 
overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.
SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers 
shall include in the Department's program the budged needed for the effective 
operation of the OFW Hospital, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 11. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act, the DMW, in coordination with the DOH, OWWA, and other 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry 
out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 12. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof.
SEC. 13. Repeaiing Ciause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules
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and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 14. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,