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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2717
Introduced by Representatives Bryan B. Revilla, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Ramon 
Jolo B. Revilla III 
AN ACT    
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT TO INSTITUTE THE POLICIES OF 
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AND ESTABLISH A HIGHER STANDARD OF 
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT WORKERS, 
THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES, TO MANDATE PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC, 
LABORATORY AND OTHER MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 
THEIR EMPLOYMENT OVERSEAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The significant contribution of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the 
national economy is recognized by the State as declared in Republic Act No. 8042 or 
the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. Their vast numbers, pegged 
at 1.77 million as estimated by the Philippine Statistics Authority in March 2022, is 
another reason why this sector deserves our attention.  
OFWs are required to pass medical examinations before they are deployed to 
work overseas. These pre-employment medical exams usually include physical and 
laboratory tests. UNISTAFF, a licensed international permanent staffing firm dedicated 
to addressing the acute shortage of qualified professionals in the Gulf Region, Africa, 
South Asia, South-East Asia, United States, and Europe, estimates the cost of these 
examinations to range from Php 2,000 to Php 10,000. This amount is a burden for 
OFWs, especially the new ones who do not have enough savings or income to pay for 
these requirements.  
This proposed measure seeks to address this burden so that these medical 
examinations will be covered by the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). This 
will significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expense of the OFWs.  
This simple act of gratitude and recognition of their contributions is just a small 
step in easing the burdens of our modern-day heroes; in this light, approval of this bill 
is earnestly sought.  
July 30, 2025
5:00 pm


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        REP. BRYAN B. REVILLA  
  REP. LANI MERCADO-REVILLA 
  Representative, AGIMAT Party-list 
 Representative, 2nd District of Cavite  
REP. RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
Representative, 1st District of Cavite


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2717 
Introduced by Representatives Bryan B. Revilla, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Ramon 
Jolo B. Revilla III 
AN ACT    
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ACT TO INSTITUTE THE POLICIES OF 
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AND ESTABLISH A HIGHER STANDARD OF 
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT WORKERS, 
THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES, TO MANDATE PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR DIAGNOSTIC, 
LABORATORY AND OTHER MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 
THEIR EMPLOYMENT OVERSEAS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. In Section 23, paragraph c of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, add a 
new paragraph after subparagraph c.1 to read as follows: 
“(c.2) ALL DIAGNOSTIC, LABORATORY AND OTHER MEDICAL 
EXAMINATION 
SERVICES 
REQUIRED 
FOR 
EMPLOYMENT 
ABROAD TO BE UNDERGONE BY OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS 
(OFWS) SHALL BE COVERED UNDER THE HEALTH BENEFIT 
PACKAGE OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, 
AS MANDATED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223; PROVIDED, THAT 
THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER WILL UNDERGO SUCH 
MEDICAL 
EXAMINATIONS 
IN 
PHILHEALTH-ACCREDITED 
HOSPITALS, 
CENTERS, 
FACILITIES 
AND/OR 
SIMILAR 
ESTABLISHMENTS; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT  THE OFW 
SEEKING TO AVAIL OF THIS BENEFIT SHALL PRESENT A PROOF 
OF EXISTING OFFER OR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT DIRECT 
FROM THE EMPLOYER OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY; 
Sec. 2. Renumber succeeding subparagraphs accordingly. 
Sec. 3. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be in full 
force and effect. 


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Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,