The OFW Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga has gained international recognition after being named “Public Facility of the Year (Health Category – Philippines)” at the 2025 GovMedia Conference & Awards in Singapore — a testament to its role as a lifeline for overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who played a key role in the hospital’s launch in May 2022 as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, emphasized the importance of preserving and strengthening the institution for generations to come.
“This isn’t just a hospital. It’s proof that we can prioritize our OFWs, who have long been called modern-day heroes,” Go said in Filipino.
To secure its continuity, Go filed Senate Bill No. 2297, which aims to institutionalize the OFW Hospital and shield it from the uncertainties of political change. He also proposed Senate Bill No. 2990 to double its current 50-bed capacity and modernize its facilities, along with Senate Bill No. 2414 or the OFW Ward Act, which would require all Department of Health hospitals to establish dedicated wards for OFWs and their dependents.
“We can’t afford for these programs to be short-lived. They should be permanent and even expanded,” Go stressed.
The hospital, established through a partnership between the national and Pampanga provincial governments, has grown into a critical healthcare center for migrant workers. Its recent award reflects the country’s growing commitment to OFW welfare, not just in repatriation but in holistic support.
Also honored at the Singapore awards was the Department of Migrant Workers’ Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (AIRTIP) Program, recognized as “Campaign of the Year (Labour Category – Philippines)” for its proactive role in safeguarding Filipinos abroad from trafficking and recruitment scams.
