OVERSEAS Filipino workers will soon have their own hospital.
The Department of Labor and Employment, government and private donors recently signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of the first hospital for OFWs.
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the hospital is expected to be completed in May 2021.
In a ceremony held last week at the Kingsborough Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, Bello led officials in sealing the agreement signaling the commencement of construction on a two-hectare lot in Barangay Sindalan, in San Fernando City.
Signing the deal were Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Health Undersecretary Dr. Lilibeth David, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation chairperson Andrea Domingo and Atty. Ellan Mark Pailan of the Bloomberry Cultural Foundation.
Bello lauded the signatories’ commitment to build the first and only hospital in the Philippines that will provide free medical services to the country’s modern day heroes.
“This hospital is going to be built to recognize the heroism of our OFWs who continue to power economic growth in the country. It’s a fitting tribute to Filipino workers who, through their valuable remittances, have kept the economy afloat during many challenging times,” Bello said.
Once completed, the hospital will render free services when OFWs are securing medical certificates covering laboratory exams and other requirements for their overseas deployment.
Under the agreement, Pagcor will donate P200 million for the acquisition and installation of equipment and facilities for the hospital while Bloomberry Cultural Foundation will shoulder the cost of construction amounting to P400 million. The local government of Pampanga has donated a two-hectare property.
