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

SIX’ NTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 2238

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

At present, Overseas Filipino Workers are considered our modem heroes. Along with
other economic stimulants, the pouring-in of remittances from the OF Ws to their families here in
our country contributes a lot to the functioning and survival of our economy

Thus, we cannot take for granted the indispensable role played by our modern heroes. A\
such, aside from their skills and experiences, an important capital that they have to possess is
their health, Long hours of work, different climate and environment coupled by emotional stress
raise the risk of weakness and ill health.

In this light, it has become imperative for the State to protect the interest and promote the
well-being of Filipino over rkers including their families and dependents through the
provision of social and welf rvices. It shall be part of an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavour to make essential goods, health and other
social es available to all people at affordable cost.

This bill seeks to establish a special hospital for Overseas Filipino Workers and their
dependents which should be under the supervision and control of the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA).

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

REP.

District, Cavi


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

SIXTEENTH CONGR!
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL.No,__ 2238

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA.

“AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL HOSPITAL FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWS) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND.
‘OR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Se
of 2013.
See. 2. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated and

ction L, Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Migrant Workers Hospital Act

comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavour to make essential goods,

health and other social services available to all people at affordable cost. Further, the State shall

protect the interest and promote the well-being of Filipino overseas workers including their
families and dependents through the provision of social and welfare services.

See. 3. Creation of Special Hospital — To carry out the above policy, there is hereby
created a special hospital to be known as the Migrant Workers Hospital which shall be under the

supervision and control of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

See. 4. Objectives — To ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality
health care, Migrant Workers Hospital shall:

a) Provide for a comprehensive/total health care services to all migrant

workers who are OWWA contributors including their dependents

b) Complement the existing package services under the Health Care Program
so as to include preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative and
rehabilitative programs;

©) Conduct medical examination to ensure the physical and mental capability
of all the would-be overseas Filipino workers duly covered by an approved
job order;

d) Set-up a system that will effectively monitor the condition of patients and to

generate relevant information and data in aid of policy formulation.


See. 5. Administration and Composition of Board Members — Upon the effectivity of
this Act, the powers and the administration of the Migrant Workers Hospital shall be yested in a
Board, which is composed of the following members:
a) The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment as Ex-Officio
Chairman;
b) The Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration as Ex-
Officio Vice Chairman;
©) The Secretary of the Department of Health as Ex-Officio Member;
d) The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development as Ex-
Officio member;
¢) The Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration as Ex-
Officio Member;
f) Two (2) representatives from OFW sector (one from landbased and another from
sea-based) as Members,
The two representatives from the OFW sector shall be appointed by the President
of the Republic of the Philippines from a list of nominees submitted by the Ex-
Officio Chairman. The representatives appointed shall serve for a term of three

(3) years without re-appointment

See. 6. Responsibilities and Powers ~The Board of Directors of the Migrant Workers
Hospital shall have the following responsibilities and powers:

a) To formulate and implement measures and programs to attain the

Migrant Worker's Hospital’s objectives and purposes as enunciated in

Section 4 of this A

b) To enter into agreements and contracts in connection with its

establishment, maintenance, operations and objectivi
©) To issue rules and regulations to carry out the objectives and purposes of
this Act;

d) To perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ The Board shall adopt rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days from the date of its
approval,

Sec. 8. Appropriation — In addition to the seed money held in trust by the OWWA, the
National Government shall contribute the amount necessary for the establishment and initial
operation of the Migrant Workers Hospital which shall be taken from the National Treasury not
otherwise appropriated. Subsequently, its appropriation shall be included in the annual General

Appropriations Act (GAA).


See. 9. Assistance from Government Offices, etc. ~The Migrant Workers Hospital may

call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government,

including government owned or controlled corporations, for such assistance as it may need in

the pursuit of its purposes and objectives.

See. 10. Exemption from Donor’s Taxes, Customs and Tariff Duties — All donations,

contributions or endowments which may be made by persons or entities to the hospital and the

importation of medical equipment and machineries, spare parts and other medical equipment not
hereto mentioned used solely and exclusively for the Migrant Workers Hospital shall be exempt

from income, gift, direct and indirect taxes, wharfage fees and other charges and restrictions.

See. 11, Annual Report ~ The Migrant Workers Hospital shall render to the President of
the Philippines, to the Senate and to the House of Representatives an annual of its activities and

recommendations.

12, Congressional Oversight Committee, ~ A Congressional Oversight Committee,

herein after referred to as the “Committee,” is hereby constituted in accordance with the

provisions of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of the Chairman of the ate
Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and the Chairman of the

House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and four (4) additional

members from each House to be designated by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives respectively. The Committee shall, among others in aid of
legislation:

1. Monitor and ensure the proper implementation of this Act;

2. Review the performance of the hospital: and

3. Review the proper implementation of the programs of the

Hospital and the use of its fund.
In furtherance of the herein above cited objectives, the Committee is empowered to

require the hospital to submit all pertinent information ineluding but not limited to its

performance data and its annual audited financial statement certifi

d by the Commission on
Audit.

See. 13. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or
part thereof deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly
Sec. 14. Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gavette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved,