Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Thursday highlighted the zero-billing policy of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga, even as the number of its patients continues to increase and its services continue to expand.

In a media briefing on Thursday, Cacdac affirmed the government’s commitment to delivering specialized healthcare services for OFWs and their families, for free.

“Let me just say, wala talagang binabayaran kahit isang kusing (not a single peso was paid). So, we’ve never had that difficulty nor challenge here at the OFW Hospital since Day 1,” he said, while clarifying that the OFW Hospital is DMW-run.

OFW Hospital Officer in Charge Chief, Dr. Patrick Louie Maglaya, said from January to June, the facility catered to more than 53,000 patients, representing a 24-percent increase from approximately 43,000 in the same period last year.

Despite the observed surge in patients, he said, the hospital has not charged even a single centavo from its patients, from consultation up to operations or surgeries.

Head of the OFW Hospital Ancillary Services, Dr. Goldwin Posadas, noted that the costs are fully covered through a combination of government funding from the Department of Health, PhilHealth reimbursements, and assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay also said the hospital is funded under the General Appropriations Act.

“Over the years po, ang budget po ng hospital runs between PHP300, PHP400, and PHP500 million, and saan po ba napupunta yun? It accounts for, of course, yung operating expenses po natin (the budget of the hospital runs between PHP300, PHP400, and PHP500 million, and where does that go? It accounts for, of course, our operating expenses),” she said.

“We have our utilities, we have our janitorial, and then, of course, yung PS (personal services) component po nito. We have 198 plantilla positions, that’s permanent. And then, we need additional nurses, doctors, and other staff under contract of services.”

Patient increase

Maglaya said that the OFW Hospital’s inpatient services more than doubled, rising from 221 in 2024 to 485 patients this year, signifying an increase of 119 percent.

Surgical operations rose by 72 percent, from 180 to 309 cases, while urgent care admissions went up 63 percent, from 1,145 to 1,863.

Even the hospital’s outpatient consultations increased by 14 percent to 23,629, OB-Gyne cases grew 67 percent, and respiratory illnesses surged by 128 percent, reflecting expanded services and growing trust in the facility.

Its diagnostic and support services also posted significant gains, including services like radiology, laboratory, and heart station.

Service expansion

To keep up with the demand, the OFW Hospital has opened new specialty services in cardiology, nephrology, pulmonology, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), and surgery.

It also secured Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI and mammogram machines expected to be rolled out in six months, while its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is waiting for accreditation from the Department of Health.

Rubia-Tutay said the hospital has also secured PHP100 million in funding for a Cancer Care Center, set to begin construction this year.

Currently, the OFW Hospital has applied for and is preparing for Level 2 hospital accreditation.

Active and former OFWs, including their dependents are being catered to by the hospital. (PNA)