In a firm display of inter-agency solidarity, Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa joined the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) during its Monday Flag-Raising Ceremony to announce a series of enhanced health safeguards for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Addressing DMW officials led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Herbosa underscored that the health of migrant workers—particularly nurses, seafarers, and frontline staff—is a cornerstone of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda.
A key highlight of the announcement is the finalization of a joint circular between the Department of Health (DOH) and the DMW to implement the “Third Doctor” mechanism under the Magna Carta for Seafarers.
This mechanism is designed to provide:
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Independent Medical Reviews: Resolving disputes regarding the health status of Filipino seafarers with impartial expertise.
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Transparency and Justice: Ensuring that medical assessments are fair and not skewed by external interests.
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Rigorous Accreditation: A new system for training and certifying physicians to handle these sensitive cases.
Secretary Herbosa also confirmed that the executive branch is working in lockstep with Congress to pass the OFW Hospital Bill. This legislation aims to institutionalize a dedicated medical facility specifically for migrant workers and their dependents, ensuring specialized care that understands the unique challenges of the migratory workforce. “A Filipino worker who falls gravely ill in a foreign land is not a lost human resource, but a citizen to whom this Republic owes its deepest gratitude,” Herbosa stated, noting that the government’s duty extends far beyond the collection of remittances.
The administration is shifting its focus from reactive treatment to proactive health promotion. Secretary Herbosa highlighted recent engagements with global groups, such as the Philippine Nurses Association of America, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly to create a seamless support network for Filipinos abroad.
The Secretary concluded with a vision for the future of Philippine labor: “We will not rest until working abroad is a free and proud choice, never a desperate necessity.”
