The House Committee on Ways and Means has approved the bill seeking to create an overseas Filipino workers (OFW) hospital.
The bill passed on third and final reading last Congress but it has to be refiled and went through plenary again.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda gave in to the request of Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, chair of the House Committee on Health, who pushed for the quick approval of House Bill 168.
“With the concurrence of this honorable committee, I move for the approval of this bill, specially the tax provision, ” Tan said.
Salceda on the other hand said they will not propose any amendments. The OFW hospital bill hurdled the Lower House in less than five minutes.
The bill also states that all donations, grants, contributions made to the OFW hospital should be free from donor’s tax.
The creation of an OFW hospital aims to provide medical needs at least on the tertiary level of care.
The Health Department will have full authority over the OFW hospital.
Under the bill, the hospital is expected to provide comprehensive and total health care services to all migrant workers, including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) contributors, and their legal dependents.
The hospital must conduct medical examinations to ensure the physical and mental well-being of OFWs, as provided.
General health information of an OFW and their families should be kept in effective systems.
The ball is now at the Senate to pass the same bill.
