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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
\ First Regular Session

House Bit No,__ 9440

Introduced by HONORABLE STRIKE B/ REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our Overseas Filipino Workers are considered modem heroes. Their remittances to
their families contribute largely to our economy. Their indispensable role cannot be taken for
granted. Because of this, aside from their skills and experiences, it is important that they
possess good health. Long hours of work coupled by emotional stress raise the risk of
‘weakness and ill health.

Ithas become imperative for the State to protect OFWs, their interest and well-being,
including their families and dependents through the provision of social and welfare services.
It will be part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development. It will
endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all people at
affordable cost.

This bill seeks to establish a special hospital for OFWs and their dependents, to be
supervised and controlled by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

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

REP. Ax REVILLA

24 District, Cavite



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouseBiLno.__°449

Introduced by HONORABLE STRIKE B. REVILLA

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS HOSPITAL
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFW) Hospital Act or OF W Hospital Act.

SEC. 2. Declaration Policy. - It is 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 well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) as
recognition of their importance and contribution on economic development and nation
building.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the OFW Hospital. — There shall be established a hospital with at
least tertiary level of care to be known as OFW Hospital, hereinafter referred to as the
Hospital. The Hospital shall be developed consistent with the health care needs of the OFW
and their dependents. The Hospital shall be under full administrative and technical
supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

SEC. 4, Objectives. — To ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality
health care, the hospital shall have the following main objectives:

a. Provide comprehensive and total health care services to all migrant workers including
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) contributors, whether active or
non-active, and their legal dependents;

b. Conduct medical examinations to ensure the physical and mental capability of would-
be overseas contract workers duly covered by an approved job order;

c. Serve as primary referral hospital for repatriated OFW needing medical assistance and
support;

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d. Set up systems that will effectively monitor condition of patients and to generate
relevant health information and data for policy formulation, and

e. Participate in the health care provider networks and arrangements relative to the
implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal health Care Act.

SEC. 5. Medical Assistance. — The Secretary of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as
Chairperson of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Board, shall ensure
that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened to include,
among others, subsidies on hospitalization and medical procedures for OFW and qualified
dependents.

SEC. 6. Joint Executive Oversight Committee. — There is hereby created a Joint Executive
Oversight Committee on OFW Hospital to review and recommend hospital development
plans and ensure implementation of this Act.

The Committee shall be co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and the Secretary of
Labor and Employment. It shall be composed of seven (7) members including the co-chairs.
‘The members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health upon consultation with the
Secretary of Labor and Employment.

SEC. 7. Tax Exemption. — All grants, bequests, endowments, donations and contributions
made to the OFW Hospital to be used actually, directly and exclusively by the OFW Hospital
shall be exempt from donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction
from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.

‘The importance of equipment, machinery and spare parts which are used solely and
exclusively for the operation of the OFW Hospital and are not available locally shall be
exempt from value-added tax and customs duty.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. — The Secretary of Health shall include in the Departments’
program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act. The OWWA shall also include in their benefits and medical
assistance programs for OFW the line item budget necessary to improve the access of OFW
and dependents to healthcare services.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the approval
of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with DOLE, OWWA, POEA and other stakeholders,
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry out the provisions of
this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

Alpe