Despite a dramatic increase in the number of patients, the OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga continues to offer entirely free healthcare services to overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on Thursday reaffirmed that the hospital, which is under DMW management, has maintained a strict zero-billing policy since it opened.
“Wala talagang binabayaran kahit isang kusing,” Cacdac emphasized in a media briefing, underlining that no patient has ever been charged—from consultation to surgery.
Between January and June 2025, over 53,000 patients were served by the facility—up 24 percent compared to last year’s 43,000—according to Dr. Patrick Louie Maglaya, the hospital’s Officer-in-Charge. He stressed that the rise in patient volume has not translated into any additional cost for beneficiaries.
Surgical operations rose by 72 percent, urgent care admissions increased by 63 percent, and inpatient services jumped 119 percent, reflecting not only demand but trust in the institution. Outpatient consultations reached over 23,600, while OB-Gyne and respiratory cases also surged.
To meet this demand, the hospital has expanded its specialty offerings to include cardiology, pulmonology, ENT, nephrology, and surgery. Diagnostic services also saw growth, and new MRI and mammogram machines are expected to be operational within six months.
Dr. Goldwin Posadas, head of Ancillary Services, explained that operational costs are fully covered through combined support from the Department of Health, PhilHealth, OWWA, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the DSWD.
DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay said the hospital’s annual budget—ranging from PHP300 to PHP500 million—is allocated under the General Appropriations Act and covers utilities, personnel services, and other operational needs. She added that a PHP100 million fund has been secured for the establishment of a Cancer Care Center, with construction scheduled to begin this year.
Currently, the hospital is working toward securing Level 2 accreditation from the Department of Health to further expand its capabilities.
