JV Ejercito backs expansion of OFW Hospital, medical services for OFWs
September 06. 2023
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.
