City of San Fernando—Overseas Filipino Workers and their dependents within the Central Luzon region need not worry over their medical needs once the 100-bed capacity hospital dedicated for them will be completed.
The medical facility will boost the provincial government health and wellness program, according to officials.
The project is at the center of this city in Barangay Sindalan and is equipped with complete amenities—from dialysis center to laboratory and pharmacy.
Central Luzon Overseas Workers Welfare Administration recorded 987,117 OFWs, both for land and sea-based.
OWWA3 Director Pat Cobbarubias said a total of 858, 204 for land based while 103, 041 for sea based. She said there are 25, 782 OFWs undetermined whether land or sea based distributed to different countries across the globe.
Pampanga has more than a dozen of medical facilities distributed to four districts of the province and are now serving the medical needs of indigents.
“The project is a joint effort between private and government agencies including Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation [PAGCOR], OWWA, Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE], Department of Health [DOH] and Provincial government of Pampanga,” said Gov. Dennis Pineda during the groundbreaking rites Wednesday.
Pineda said P500 million was donated by Bloombery Cultural Foundation, P200 million from Pagcor.
The provincial government also alloted significant amount for the medical equipment such as for the procurement of dialysis machines and other vital medicines for cancer patients.
Senator Lawrence “Bong” Go led VIPs during the groundbreaking ceremony.
In his speech, Go said he had filed a bill proposing the establishment of Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, in which the primary objective was to focus on the needs and welfare of those employed abroad.
“Rest assured that the welfare of OFWs will be our priority,” Go said as he expressed his plans of putting up “Malasakit Center” at th OFW hospital once it is operational.
Present during groundbreaking rites are different heads of line government agencies in the region, Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Engineerrs from DM Consunji Construction.