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JV Ejercito backs expansion of OFW Hospital, medical services for OFWs

October 2022

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday expressed his support for the expansion of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga and the creation of OFW wings in key regional hospitals across the country.

Presiding over the first ever budget hearing on the newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Ejercito said the budget approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the expansion of the OFW Hospital and its facilities might not be enough to meet the needs of the project.

“I know yung OFW Hospital will be a challenge to you. Kasi po bilang dating chair ng Committee on Health, nakita ko na P13 million lang ang recommended ng DBM for the operation (of the hospital). Alam na alam natin na kulang ito,” he said.

On the part of the DMW, Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susana “Toots” Ople said that given the budget approved by the DBM, expanding the facilities and services of the OFW Hospital will most likely be charged against the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health (DOH).

The department proposed a P500 million budget to improve the OFW Hospital and provide OFWs access to new laboratories, diagnostic centers, and emergency room facilities, she added.

OFW Hospital Dr. Dante Dator explained that the said healthcare institution needs around P212 million for personnel services, P166 million for maintenance and other operating expenses, and P120 million for capital outlay to be fully operational as a 102-bed Level 2 hospital with a Level 3 laboratory.

He added that this will enable the hospital to conduct a variety of healthcare services, trainings for doctors and medical personnel for the occupational medical needs of OFWs, and research for enhancing primary care for Filipino migrant workers.

“This makes us distinct from just a medical ward that is actually catering to the existing healthcare needs or illness of a particular person,” Dator said.

Ople said President Marcos has directed the DMW to sit down with the DOH in studying the feasibility of establishing OFW wings in selected regional hospitals.

As a staunch advocate for the establishment of specialty healthcare centers across the country, Ejercito said he agrees with the President’s proposal and called on the DMW to identify priority areas for its pilot implementation.

“OFWs come from different places in the country. Siguro, yung establishment of OFW wings in selected hospitals, siguro, meron naman tayong mga record kung saan marami ang OFW concentration,” he said.

“Probably, we can study and explore that possibility, to put OFW wings in certain regional hospitals kung saan may mataas na concentration ang ating OFWs,” he added.

The lawmaker recently filed Senate Bill No. 161, which seeks to establish specialty healthcare centers in every region.

Citing the “attachment” that most Senators have with OFWs, Ejercito said he expects that the Senate will throw its full support for the DMW’s proposed budget.

“Mukhang full house tayo because all the Senators present, all have their hearts for our OFWs. Lahat kami ay may attachment sa OFWs,” Ejercito said.

“Be rest assured, I think you have the support of most of the Senators present here,” he added.




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