The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital in the municipality of Alubijid will undergo improvements as soon as possible.
OWWA chief Arnell Ignacio visited the hospital after it was brought up by Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel III, a native of Cagayan de Oro, during a recent budget hearing.
“Pumunta tayo dito. Tiningnan natin ‘yung problema.”
“Ito kasi ‘yung tinanong ni Senator Pimentel. So, pumunta tayo dito. Tiningnan natin ‘yung problema. Mukhang maaayos naman natin,” Ignacio said.
During his visit, Ignacio met with local government and OWWA-Region 10 officials to discuss the immediate renovation and bringing in of new facilities for the facility that caters to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Aayusin natin ito para ‘yung mga OFW dito ay meron nang mapuntahan.”
“Kailangan ayusin natin ito para dito sa Mindanao, meron din tayong ospital. Aayusin natin ito para ‘yung mga OFW dito ay meron nang mapuntahan,” he stressed.
The Department of Budget and Management earmarked P10.039 billion for OWWA’s Emergency Repatriation Program for 2023 which covers 367,287 OFWs.
Other OWWA programs include the Overseas Employment Regulatory Program, Labor Migration Policy, International Cooperation Program, Maritime Research, and Skills Competency Program, Provision for OFW Hospital, and Diagnostic Center under the Overseas Employment and Welfare Program.
The proposed 2023 National Expenditure Program allots P15.2 billion to the Department of Migrant Workers, which has administrative control over OWWA.
Another OFW Hospital in the City of San Fernando City, Pampanga was inaugurated on May 1, a joint effort of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Health, local government units, and the private sector.
