The national government has allocated PHP500 million for the construction of a hospital to cater to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sec. Silvestre Bello III made this announcement in front of the “Pagadianon OFW Global Families” during his visit here Saturday.

Bello said the construction of the PHP500 million OFW hospital in Manila will start next month and will be inaugurated during the Labor Day celebration next year.

“All of the OFWs as well as their families can avail free medical services (at the OFW hospital),” Bello said.

Bello said that one of the difficult tasks assigned to him is ensuring the welfare of OFWs, whom he said are close to the heart of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The DOLE chief said the President doesn’t want any Filipino worker abused in another country and would immediately direct him to check every time there are reports of OFWs in difficult situations.

He said all labor attaches are instructed to immediately report any unfortunate incident involving OFWs so that the President is apprised as soon as possible. (PNA)