Senator Bong Go reaffirmed his continued push to institutionalize and expand the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga, following its recent recognition as “Public Facility of the Year (Health Category – Philippines)” at the 2025 GovMedia Conference & Awards in Singapore.
Go supported the Duterte administration’s vision of specialized healthcare for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it materialized during his tenure as Senate Committee on Health Chairperson.
The OFW Hospital, which began operating on May 2, 2022 through the joint efforts of the Duterte government and the provincial government of Pampanga, now serves as a dedicated medical facility for OFWs and their families.
“Hindi lang po ito basta ospital. Isa itong konkretong patunay na kaya nating unahin ang kapakanan ng mga OFW na matagal nang itinuturing na mga bayani ng ating bansa,” the legislator stressed.
As one of the authors and a co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11641, which created the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the lawmaker has consistently advanced other legislative measures to support the welfare of OFWs. His current efforts include Senate Bill No. 2297, which seeks to institutionalize the OFW Hospital to ensure its sustainability beyond changing administrations and political terms.
“Kaya tuloy ang laban natin sa Senado para gawing institusyon ang OFW Hospital at mapaigting pa lalo ang serbisyong nararapat para sa kanila.”
“Hindi puwedeng panandalian lang ang mga programang para sa ating mga OFW. Dapat ito’y permanente at mas pinalawak pa,” the senator explained. “Kaya tuloy ang laban natin sa Senado para gawing institusyon ang OFW Hospital at mapaigting pa lalo ang serbisyong nararapat para sa kanila.”
He also filed SBN 2990, which proposes to increase the hospital’s bed capacity from 50 to 100, upgrade its medical facilities, and enhance staffing to better respond to the needs of migrant workers and their families.
In addition, Go’s SBN 2414 — also known as the OFW Ward Act — aims to mandate all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals across the country to allocate dedicated wards for OFWs and their dependents. If passed into law, it would further decentralize access to specialized healthcare services for Filipino migrant workers.
The recent international award bestowed upon the OFW Hospital marks a milestone in the continuity of Duterte-era reforms. Go emphasized that while awards are appreciated, the real achievement lies in delivering tangible services to those who need them most.
Also recognized at the same event was the DMW’s Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (AIRTIP) Program, which was named “Campaign of the Year (Labour Category – Philippines)” for its intensified efforts in protecting migrant workers from abuse and exploitation.
Go, who has long advocated for stronger safeguards for OFWs, welcomed the recognition as a sign that the Philippines is taking meaningful steps toward institutional reforms for migrant workers.
“Patuloy nating palalakasin ang mga mekanismo para maprotektahan ang ating mga kababayan nasaan man sila sa mundo.”
“Patuloy nating palalakasin ang mga mekanismo para maprotektahan ang ating mga kababayan nasaan man sila sa mundo,” he stressed.
From championing legislation to supporting infrastructure and services tailored to migrant workers, Go remains committed to uplift the sector that has long propped up the Philippine economy through sacrifice and resilience.
“With all humility, I wish to be remembered, not just as a Senator, but as a public servant who puts first the welfare of our people at all times, particularly the poor and the less fortunate in life. Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go affirmed in his proclamation speech.
“Sipag, pagmamalasakit, at more serbisyo po ang pwede kong ialay sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” he concluded.
