House panels approve bill creating hospital for OFWs

Three committees in the House of Representatives have approved a bill seeking to establish a hospital catering to the health needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents.

The ways and means panel approved the tax provision of House Bill No. 9194 Tuesday while committees on health and appropriations green-lighted the rest of the proposed law Monday.

Under the bill, the OFW Hospital will be developed to provide comprehensive health care services to all migrant workers, who are Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) contributors, and their legal dependents. The facility will be under the full administrative and technical supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

The measure also aims to conduct medical examinations to ensure the physical and mental capability of would-be overseas contract workers duly covered by an approved job order.

Likewise, the hospital will also serve as a primary referral hospital for repatriated OFWs needing medical assistance and support.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo principally authored the bill. HB 9194 substituted House Bill Nos. 1672, 2187 and 4621 of Reps. Strike Revilla, Florida Robes, and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr., respectively.

Arroyo explained the bill was already embodied in the general law “so it’s just reiterating it.”

The outgoing Pampanga 2nd district congresswoman said she would try to have the committee report done so the measure could be introduced before the plenary session this afternoon.

While she hopes for the speedy passage of the bill, Arroyo said she would ask allies in the 18th Congress to refile it if the 17th Congress fails to pass it before they adjourn sine die on June 8.