𝗗𝗢𝗛 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗙𝗪𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗠𝗪 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀

MANDALUYONG CITY — Health Secretary Teodoro ‘Ted’ Herbosa assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on Monday that the government will enhance health protections for them and their families. He addressed officials and personnel led by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac during the Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). As the guest of honor, Secretary Herbosa stressed that the health of migrant workers—especially nurses, seafarers, and other frontliners abroad—remains a top national priority under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard and promote the welfare of OFWs.

Secretary Herbosa said the Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the DMW, is finalizing a joint circular to implement the “Third Doctor” mechanism under the Magna Carta for Seafarers, ensuring independent medical review in disputes involving Filipino seafarers. He explained that this safeguard will guarantee fairness, transparency, and justice, supported by a rigorous accreditation and training system for physicians. The DOH and DMW are also working closely with Congress to review and pass the proposed OFW Hospital Bill, envisioned as a dedicated facility for migrant workers and their families. “A Filipino worker who falls gravely ill in a foreign land is not a lost human resource, but a citizen to whom this Republic owes its deepest gratitude,” Herbosa said, emphasizing that government responsibility extends beyond remittances.

The Health chief emphasized that the administration’s approach extends beyond treatment, focusing on ongoing health promotion for Filipinos abroad, including connections with global Filipino health groups like the Philippine Nurses Association of America during the 80th United Nations General Assembly. He reassured OFWs that distance will not weaken government support, as agencies work together to defend their rights, dignity, and well-being wherever they are deployed. “We will not rest until working abroad is a free and proud choice, never a desperate necessity,” Herbosa stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment that under Bagong Pilipinas, no Filipino will be left behind. ###

#DMWPHL
#TahananNgOFW
#BagongPilipinas