The Department of Migrant Workers-OFW Hospital, along with the Department of Health-Region III-Central Luzon Center for Health Development, Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, and the Provincial Government of Pampanga inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formalizing partnership for a more comprehensive healthcare services for migrant workers and the general public.

The signing of the agreement, led by DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, is one of the highlights of the DMW Bagong Pilipinas OFW Caravan held at the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga this February 25.

It is a collective commitment to provide quality healthcare services to patients that includes not only overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families but also other constituents of Pampanga.

This is also in line with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the welfare, safety and reintegration of OFWs along with their families in order to be productive members of the society.

Other signatories include DOH-Region III Chief Administrative Officer Engr. Fernando Guanzon and JBLMGH Medical Director Dr. Monserrat S. Chichioco, while serving as witnesses, are DMW Undersecretaries Dominique Rubia-Tutay, Bernard P. Olalia, and PY Caunan; DWM RO III Director Mel Candano, Dr. Alfonso C. Danac, and other local government officials.

Key features of the MOA include the admission of non-OFW patients on a 60:40 ratio (OFW and non-OFW patients); visitation by medical consultants from JBLMGH and the Provincial Government of Pampanga; provision of capital outlay support through the DOH-Health Facilities Enhancement Program; and capacity building and technical assistance.

Secretary Cacdac disclosed that in 2024, more than 86,000 OFWs and their families have been served by the OFW Hospital, with services ranging from consultation to laboratory and specialized medication. He also emphasized that the OFW Hospital serves all OFWs regardless of how long they have been back in the country.

“Direct dependents, direct descendants, pwede naming pagsilbihan sa OFW Hospital. Sa OFW Hospital hindi na kami masyado nagtatanong kung kailan kayo nakauwi, kung kayo ba ay current OFW, kung kayo ba ay 10 taong nagsilbi sa abroad, basta OFW, past or present pinagsisilbihan sa OFW Hospital. Wala nang tanung-tanong, pagamot na kaagad,” stressed Secretary Cacdac.

He also narrated an elderly woman in a wheelchair who the Secretary chanced upon the hospital for a medical check-up.  The Secretary said that he asked the woman if she was an OFW, and the woman proudly said that she is the mother of an OFW.

Vice-Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda thanked the DMW and other partner agencies for bringing the programs and services to her province. She commits to providing medical specialists of the province to the OFW Hospital to aid in giving quality healthcare services to its clients.

The OFW Hospital is a flagship program initiated by former Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople that aims to make healthcare services accessible to OFWs and their families. Last December 2024, President Marcos led the groundbreaking of the Bagong Pilipinas-OFW Hospital Cancer Care Center in response to the rising cases of cancer in the country.