Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will soon benefit from yearly medical check-ups as part of a strengthened initiative by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to safeguard their health while deployed abroad.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced the commitment during a Senate inquiry led by Senator Raffy Tulfo, who raised alarm over alleged exploitative practices in some pre-employment medical clinics, including excessive fees for confirmatory tests.
“Yes, Mr. Chair, we will do that through the AKSYON Fund, dahil maaari po nating pondohan ang follow-through medical check-up ng ating mga OFW upang matiyak ang kanilang kalusugan at kapakanan habang nasa abroad at bago sila umuwi sa bansa,” Cacdac affirmed.
The plan is part of the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund and aims to cover check-ups at three key points in an OFW’s deployment: before leaving the country, while working abroad, and upon returning home.
Senator Tulfo strongly urged the DMW to formalize a partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), saying, “Dapat po bago sila payagang mag-operate, may koordinasyon at pag-apruba ng DOH… bago po sila umuwi matapos ang isang taon, muli po silang sasailalim sa pisikal na pagsusuri upang matiyak ang kanilang kalusugan.”
Tulfo also flagged the alleged overcharging by Super Care Medical Services, which reportedly collects between Php1,200 to Php1,300 for both initial and repeated confirmatory tests, prompting calls for tighter oversight.
Cacdac clarified that Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) are responsible for arranging the initial medical screenings, but said the DMW can impose disciplinary actions if malpractice is proven — including agency suspension and monetary penalties.
“We will pursue a MOA with DOH, but also will bring this to the Human Resource for Health Network (HRHN), and the private sector to create a comprehensive venue for addressing these health-related issues,” Cacdac said.
