Bong Go leads groundbreaking of Philippine’s first OFW Hospital

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go yesterday led the groundbreaking ceremony of the country’s first overseas Filipino workers (OFW) hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga, where he reaffirmed his commitment to push for the passage of a bill mandating the creation of an executive department focusing on the needs and concerns of overseas Filipinos.

In his speech, Go said a significant part of his legislative agenda is to push for the establishment of the Department of Overseas Filipinos, which is one of the requests of many OFWs he met.

“It’s hard to see our fellowmen leaving behind their families and loved ones just to be able to work in faraway areas. Let’s give back for their sacrifices through better service for them and their families,” Go said.

The proposed department seeks “to streamline the services provided for the OFWs and to make the several processes they undergo more efficient and convenient,” according to the senator.

“With the help of this proposed department, (OFWs) will have to go to just one place. From seeking jobs overseas to the processing of documents and filing complaints against employers, they can go straight to one office,” he said.

During the event, Go met Nancy Mallari Valencia, a 34-year-old undocumented domestic helper in Lebanon who was repatriated through the help of the senator. Go also promised to provide Valencia with other kinds of assistance to help her start anew now that she is back in the country.

During the ceremony, Go also discussed the institutionalization of Malasakit Centers all over the country as one of his advocacies to ensure that overseas Filipinos and their families at home are provided with swift access to government medical and financial services.

Aside from his legislative agenda, Go also shared the programs and projects implemented by the Duterte administration to promote and improve the welfare of OFWs and other overseas Filipinos.

Go filed Senate Bill 202 or the Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of 2019 in July last year. The measure seeks to address issues, such as the need to improve coordination among concerned offices, hence, the proposal to put them together under one roof to avoid finger-pointing among agencies concerned with overseas Filipinos and OFW affairs.