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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OS UL 2013
First Regular Session i
1029

HOUSE BILL NO,

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 eamestly sought

BBL

HON. ROMAN T. ROMULO


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 1029

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 regulation 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