CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) continues to expand access to health care, digital services, and emergency assistance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos underscored the importance of honoring and protecting OFWs through responsive government action.
“We thank our brave OFWs. Because of them, the talent, goodness, and heart of the Filipino are shown in all corners of the world,” he said.
Alongside this recognition, the DMW has intensified its efforts to ensure that OFWs and their families receive quality medical care, timely financial assistance, and improved access to government services both at home and abroad.
During his visit to the OFW Hospital in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported substantial improvements in both outpatient and inpatient care at the facility, citing data that reflected a 100 percent increase in confinement cases and nearly 200 percent rise in major surgeries in the past year.
“That’s really the strength—from the beginning, the outpatient service. But now, the number of inpatients have increased. Major surgery cases are up almost 200 percent,” Cacdac shared.
Echoing the President’s emphasis on digitalization for convenience and protection, the cabinet official highlighted how the DMW is advancing digital transformation through the eGov PH Super App, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
“The President mentioned in his SONA about digitalization of the documentation of OFWs. We are now using the eGov PH app with the help of the DICT. The OEC [Overseas Employment Certificate] is no longer used—instead, you may go directly to eGov. It is now merged with the eTravel pass. Those are two other innovations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the OFW Hospital has applied for a Department of Health Level 2 license, which would allow the facility to operate an intensive care unit and expand other specialty services.
The application was submitted last July 4, 2025 and is now awaiting inspection.
