OFW HOSPITAL. Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go (third from right) leads the groundbreaking ceremony of the P500-million Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital which aims to respond to the medical needs of OFWs and their immediate families, free of charge. Also in photo are Pagcor chief Andrea Domingo (right), Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda (second from right) and Governor Dennis Pineda (fourth from right). (Photo by Marna Del Rosario)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga -- Senator Bong Go led on Tuesday the groundbreaking of the five-story hospital solely dedicated to overseas Filipino workers and their families inside the Pampanga Engineering Office (PEO) compound, this city.
Go, in his message during the ceremony, said the welfare of OFWs is one of the priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Si Presidente is 74 years old and going 75 years old next month at wala na syang ibang hangarin po kungdi ang kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino. At sabi nya ay gagawin ko ang lahat (The President is 74 years old and going 75 years old next month and he has no other desire except the welfare of every Filipino. And he said that he will do everything),” he said.
Go said he has filed a bill in the Senate proposing the establishment of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers which will primarily focus on the needs and welfare of those who are employed abroad.
“Rest assured that the welfare of the OFWs will be our priority,” the senator said as he also contemplated on plans to put up a Malasakit Center at the OFW Hospital once it is operational.
Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Solaire Resort and Casino, will fund the construction of the 100-bed capacity hospital amounting to some PHP500 million.
To further improve the healthcare services in the OFW hospital, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), headed by Andrea Domingo, will donate PHP200 million worth of hospital equipment.
The OFW hospital will be equipped with dialysis and cancer centers, and is targeted for completion in May 2021.
The project, which is a partnership between the provincial government of Pampanga, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Pagcor, and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc., aims to respond to the medical needs of OFWs and their immediate families, for free. (PNA)
