Construction of first OFW hospital in Pampanga to commence

Thu | 11.26.2020 | 11::00 AM

Construction of first OFW hospital in Pampanga to commence CEO Domingo delivers her welcome address.

Construction of first OFW hospital in Pampanga to commenceA hospital catering mainly to the country’s modern day heroes --- the Overseas Filipino Workers – will soon rise in the two-hectare lot donated by the local government of Pampanga. Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc., an entity established by Solaire Resort and Casino donated P500 million for the construction of said hospital. PAGCOR will also donate P300 million for the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for said health facility.

Construction of first OFW hospital in Pampanga to commencePAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo (middle) grace the kick off ceremony of the country’s first OFW hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga. Other key government officials who were present in the event were (from left) Overseas Welfare Workers Association Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, and Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Lilibeth David.

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – It’s all systems go for the country’s first ever Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) hospital here after a kickoff ceremony was held on November 20, 2020 to officially mark the construction of the 100-bed hospital project.

Set to rise on the two-hectare land from the provincial government of Pampanga, the construction of said health facility will be made possible with the P500 million donation of Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc. (BCFI), an entity established by the operator of Solaire Resort and Casino.

Aside from BCFI’s donation, PAGCOR will also donate P300 million for the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment for the hospital.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo, who graced the ceremony said that the state-owned gaming agency and its licensees have long been working together to contribute to nation-building.

The casino licensees in particular are required to establish a foundation for the restoration of cultural heritage. A percentage of their gross gaming revenues are set aside for these foundations which “shall be used for the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites in the Philippines; improvement of public schools in the country; and provision of quality healthcare services.”

Domingo cited that the soon-to-rise OFW hospital will immensely help the country’s modern-day heroes who endure homesickness just to provide for their families and keep the economy afloat.

“We will finally have this very first, modern and state-of-the-art health facility intended solely for the care and medical needs of our OFWs,” Domingo said.

Meanwhile, BCFI President Donato Almeda in a statement said that many Filipinos rely on the OFW’s contribution to the national economy through their hard work and remittances. However, very little assistance or recognition is given to them when they finally return home to retire.

“The OFW Hospital is a way for us to show our gratitude. We hope to jumpstart and be a catalyst for other like-minded organizations to build more health facilities for our retiring OFWs, providing them care and compassion as they spend their retirement years back in our beloved country," Almeda cited.

Atty. Ellan Mark Pailan represented BCFI during the event. Meanwhile, other government officials who graced the kickoff ceremony were Secretary of Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello III, Vice Governor of Pampanga Lilia Pineda, Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, and Undersecretary of Health Dr. Lilibeth David.

Secretary of Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello III expressed his gratitude to PAGCOR, BCFI and the provincial government of Pampanga for helping promote the welfare of overseas workers through their commitment to build the health facility.

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