1PACMAN Partylist lauds Pampanga’s OFW hospital
Cong. Eric Pineda with Sen. Joel Villanueva
MANILA, Philippines — Enrico “Eric” Pineda of 1PACMAN Partylist on Monday lauded the construction of a hospital in Pampanga that is specifically built for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents.
Following an inspection of the facility in San Fernando City that was led by President Rodrigo Duterte during Labor Day, Pineda supported the government’s effort of giving back to OFWs, whom he said are among the most important pillars of the country’s workforce.
Echoing Duterte, Pineda said overseas Filipino laborers are critical to the country’s progress not only economically, but also culturally.
“They are indeed heroes whom we should always treat with reverence by giving quality services back to them. It’s the least we could do to express gratitude for everything they do for the country,” Pineda said.
The OFW Hospital started its operations as a polyclinic on May 2, but it is expected to be fully operational by late June this year.
As House Committee on Labor and Employment chairman, Pineda has recently been advocating to finally increase the national minimum wage in the country as inflation continues to soar due to the pandemic.
If passed, he expects the positive effect of this will be felt by overseas workers, who possibly would no longer have to find work abroad, away from their families.
“For now, we persevere to make the lives of our OFWs better by coming up with better facilities, services, and policies to protect them, as well as their loved ones left behind here,” Pineda said.
“But the dream is really to make this country’s labor sector work for everyone so that our modern-day heroes would no longer be forced to go abroad for better opportunities all to sustain their families,” Pineda added.
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