,:Shm~Jtl? 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
. I.@thrr tlf tlj>l ~!'T\·t'br~ 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL 23 P 1 ::33 
SENATE 
S.B. No. lOB 0 
Introduced By Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, as amended, declares it a 
policy of the State to "afford full protection to labor, local and overseas" and to 
"provide adequate and timely social, economic, and legal services to Filipino migrant 
workers." Thus, the State recognizes that the protection of overseas Filipino workers 
(OFWs) also contemplates the provision of social services. 
Incidentally, Executive Order No. 195 institutionalized a Philippine Medical Care 
Program for OFWs as a means of extending social services to OFWs. While E.O. 195 
was issued prior to the enactment of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act. it 
is clear that the State recognizes the need to provide services to promote and protect the 
health of OFWs and their dependents. The State policy to provide social services to 
OFWs rightly justifies a stronger thrust towards providing health services for OFWs 
and their dependents. 
Based on statistics, about 42% of all repatriated OFWs return to the Philippines 
needing medical attention or hospital confinement for various physical or mental 
illnesses sustained abroad. The present package of services under the Medical Care 
Program for OFWs and their dependents is limited to curative medical services. This 
bill aims to complement these services with preventive, promotive, diagnostic, and 
rehabilitative programs. 
Thus, a comprehensive health care for OFWs and their 
dependents can be achieved. 
To ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of quality health care to 
our migrant workers and their dependents. approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
c::>q~......,.~ 
MANUEL "LITO" 
D . 
Senator 
~ 


,'ierwtv 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
, t@Ht;rof H(f' j:,'~ndilt\l 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL 23 P 1 :33 
SENATE 
REc!;n II! BY:-F 
S.B. No. 1080 
Introduced By Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL HOSPITAL FOR 
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS) AND THEIR DEPENDENTS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 
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ACT OF 2013". 
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SEC. 
2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt an 
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integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavour 
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to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to its citizens at an 
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affordable cost. 
Further, the State shall afford full protection to labor, local and 
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overseas. Toward this end, the State shall protect the interest and promote the well-
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being of Filipino overseas contract workers including their families and dependents 
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through the provision of social and welfare services. 
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SEC. 3. Creation of a Special Hospital. - To carry out the above policy, a 
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migrant workers' hospital to be named as the OWW A MIGRANT WORKERS 
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HOSPITAL is hereby created under the supervision and control of the Overseas 
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Workers Welfare Administration. 
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SEC. 4. Objectives. - To ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability 
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of quality health care, the OFW HOSPITAL shall: 
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a. 
Provide for comprehensive/total health care service to all migrant 
workers who are OWW A contributors and their legal dependents; 
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b. 
c. 
d. 
Complement the existing package of services under the Medical 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 would-be overseas Filipino workers duly covered by an 
approved job order; and 
Set-up a system that will effectively monitor the condition of patients and 
to generate relevant information/ data in aid of policy formulation. 
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SEC. 5. Administration. - Upon effectivity of this Act, the OWWA MIGRANT 
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WORKERS HOSPITAL shall be administered by a Board of Directors consisting of: 
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a.) 
The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment as Ex-Officio 
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b.) 
c.) 
d.) 
e.) 
f.) 
Chairman; 
The Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration as 
Ex-Officio Vice-Chairman; 
The Secretary of the Department of Health as Ex-Officio member; 
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; and 
Two (2) representatives from the OFW sector (one land based and one sea 
based) as members. 
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The two (2) representatives from the OFW Sector shall be appOinted by the 
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President of the Republic of the Philippines from a list of nominees prepared by 
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the Ex-Officio Chairman to serve for a term of three (3) years without 
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reappointment. 
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SEC. 6. Responsibility and Powers. - The Board of Directors of the OWW A 
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MIGRANT WORKERS HOSPITAL shall have the followjng responsibilities and 
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powers: 
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a) 
To formulate and implement measures and programs to attain the 
OWWA MIGRANT WORKERS HOSPITAL's objectives and purposes as 
enunciated in Section 4 of this Act; 
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b) 
c) 
d) 
To enter into agreements and contracts in connection with its 
establishment, maintenance, operations, and objectives; 
To issue rules and regulations to carry out the objectives and purposes of 
this Act; and 
To perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law. 
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SEC. 7. Appropriation. - An amount necessary for the establishment and initial 
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operation of the OWWA MIGRANT WORKERS HOSPITAL shall be taken out from the 
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funds of the Medical Care Program for Overseas Contract Workers and the Overseas 
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Workers Welfare Administration. Subsequently, its appropriation shall be included in 
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the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, rules or regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this 
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Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
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force and effect. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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