CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has filed a bill that would establish a hospital that will exclusively cater to the medical care and needs of overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.

"We want to recognize all the efforts and sacrifices of our modern-day heroes who have worked hard not only to provide a better living for their families, but also for their contribution to the national economy,” said Rodriguez

Rodriguez filed House Bill No. 4195 or the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital Act that aims to establish a hospital with at least tertiary level care.

Under the bill, the OFW Hospital is expected to provide comprehensive and total health care services to all migrant workers including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) contributors and their dependents.

“I originally filed this bill in the 17th Congress and now I am filing it again because it is the responsibility of the State to protect and promote the health of the Filipino people, especially our OFWs who contribute so much to economic development and to nation-building,” Rodriguez added.

In a press statement, It is also mandated to complement the existing package of services under the Health Care Program to include preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative programs.

The hospital shall also have available medical examinations to ensure the physical and mental capabilities of all the would-be OFWs duly covered by an approved job order.

It is expected to set up a system to effectively monitor the condition of patients and generate relevant data in aid of policy formulation, it said.

“Based on studies, 42% of repatriated OFWs return to the country in need of medical attention, even hospital confinement, for various physical or mental illnesses they sustained while working overseas,” Rodriguez noted.

“This alarming data prompts the need for legislation that ensures the availability, accessibility, and affordability of quality health care for our overseas workers and their families here in the country,” the Mindanao lawmaker stressed.

The proposed measure mandates the Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers to ensure that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened, including subsidies on hospitalization and medical procedures for OFWs and their dependents.

It further provides for the exemption of donor’s tax, value-added tax, and customs duty for imported equipment, machinery, and spare parts.

“We need the speedy approval of this bill to address the medical needs of our OFWs, which we consider as modern-day heroes, and assist their loved ones as well,” Rodriguez said.

The Secretary of Health shall include in the Department’s program the implementation of the act and the funding will be sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA).