BY MAY 2021, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can already expect a hospital especially dedicated to them to be operational.
This is according to the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) after the groundbreaking of the two-hectare lot located at the PEO Compound in Barangay Sindalan, San Fernando City in Pampanga, where the OFW Hospital is set to rise.
“We expect completion in May 2021,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a statement.
To recall, the lot was donated in 2019 by the provincial government of Pampanga.
Under the agreement, Solaire’s corporate social responsibility arm, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, will shoulder the cost of construction amounting to P400 million.
On the other hand, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is set to donate P200 million for the acquisition and installation of equipment and facilities for the hospital.
Upon completion, the OFW Hospital shall render free services when OFWs are securing medical certificates covering laboratory exams and other requirements for their overseas deployment.
Bello said first and only hospital in the Philippines that will provide free medical services to OFWs is in recognition of their contribution to the Philippine economy.
“This hospital is going to be built to recognize the heroism of our OFWs, who continue to power economic growth in the country,” he said.
“It’s a fitting tribute to Filipino workers who, through their valuable remittances, have kept the economy afloat during many challenging times,” Bello added. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)