Former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is pushing for stronger healthcare and social protection for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), citing the need to ensure their well-being both while they work abroad and when they return home.
“Ang ating mga OFW ang tinaguriang ‘bagong bayani,’ pero sa kabila ng kanilang sakripisyo, marami pa rin ang hindi nakatatanggap ng sapat na benepisyo pagdating sa kalusugan at proteksyong panlipunan,” Pangilinan said. “Hindi dapat pabayaan ang ating mga manggagawang Pilipino sa ibang bansa, lalo na pagdating sa kanilang pangangailangang medikal.”
Reports indicate that many OFWs struggle to access quality healthcare in their host countries due to expensive medical fees and limited insurance coverage. While the government has programs like PhilHealth for OFWs, issues such as delayed claims processing and inadequate coverage continue to burden overseas workers.
Pangilinan stressed the need for a comprehensive review of OFW healthcare programs, ensuring that they are accessible, responsive, and adequately funded. He vowed to push for reforms that would:
- Expand PhilHealth coverage to include more outpatient and emergency medical services for OFWs and their families.
- Strengthen partnerships with host countries to ensure OFWs have access to affordable healthcare.
- Improve government assistance for OFWs in medical distress, including faster repatriation for those who need urgent medical care.
- Streamline the processing of medical claims and benefits to eliminate bureaucratic delays.
Many OFWs return to the Philippines after years of working abroad only to face financial instability due to a lack of long-term medical coverage and retirement benefits.
Pangilinan emphasized the need to create a sustainable reintegration program that includes affordable healthcare for retired and returning OFWs. He also called for the strengthening of the OFW Hospital in Pampanga, ensuring that it provides free and quality medical services to all OFWs and their dependents.
“Dapat masigurong may sapat na pondo at suporta ang mga programang ito. Ang mga OFW natin ay nagtatrabaho nang walang tigil sa ibang bansa, pero pagbalik nila, wala silang tiyak na proteksyon sa kalusugan at pagreretiro. Hindi ito makatarungan,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan urged the government to prioritize these reforms, stating that the well-being of OFWs should not be treated as an afterthought.
“Hindi lang remittances ang mahalaga sa ating ekonomiya. Mas mahalaga ang kapakanan ng mga OFW at ang katiyakan na sa kanilang pagtanda, may maaasahan silang tulong at suporta mula sa gobyerno,” he said.
He called on OFW groups, labor advocates, and the public to support these reforms, emphasizing that ensuring better healthcare and social benefits for OFWs is a step toward genuine and lasting economic progress for the country.