House leaders hail final passage of proposed OFW Hospital Act


At a glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo hailed the third reading passage of the proposed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital Act during plenary session Monday afternoon, May 29.

  • The nominal voting result for the measure, embodied in House Bill (HB) No.8325, was 255-0-0 (yes-no-abstain).


20230529_162647.jpg House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo (Speaker’s office, Facebook)


Ranking members of the House of Representatives hailed the third reading passage of the proposed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital Act during plenary session Monday afternoon, May 29.

“This bill is a proof of our continuous support and commitment to the welfare and protection of our OFWs," House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement shortly after the bill was unanimously approved via nominal voting.

The voting result was 255-0-0 (yes-no-abstain).

"The creation of this specialty hospital that will be open to the public but will primarily serve our OFWs and their dependents will ensure that they will get the quality, timely and efficient health care services that they deserve,” noted Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative.

Also welcoming the development was Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs.

"I am more than elated by this development. With the approval of our OFW Hospital bill on third and final reading, we are another step closer towards realizing this gift to our OFWs and their valuable contribution to our national economy,” Salo said.

Embodied in House Bill (HB) No.8325, proposed OFW Hospital Act seeks to create an OFW Hospital (OFWH) under the direct supervision and control of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

It mandates the OFWH to serve as a referral facility for repatriated OFWs needing medical assistance and support while ensuring its participation in the provincial and inter-regional healthcare provider networks. This allows for a seamless and coordinated referral system for the medical repatriation program in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act.

The OFWH is seen to render 24/7 telehealth services to migrant workers and their families, provide pre-employment medical examination for OFWs, strengthen health surveillance through the provision of a post-employment or post-arrival medical examination for OFWs, and assist and support universities, research institutions, and other hospitals or medical facilities in their studies on health-related concerns of OFWs.

The proposed legislation also requires the OFWH to promote, encourage, engage in, and publish scientific research on the prevention, care, and treatment of occupational diseases common to OFWs, and establish training programs for medical and allied medical professionals which shall focus on strengthening occupational and migrant health services in the country and the creation of specialized services.

Under the bill, OWWA is mandated to ensure that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened for OFWs and their qualified dependents.

All other agencies, departments, bureaus, offices, or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are also mandated to render assistance to the OFWH for the effective implementation of the measure.

The principal authors of the measure include former President-turned Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Reps. Ciriaco Gato Jr., LRay Villafuerte, and others.