Manila, May 30 -- Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will soon receive free annual medical check-ups through the Department of Migrant Workers' (DMW) AKSYON Fund, as part of a government-backed initiative to uphold their right to health and well-being while working abroad.

The DMW said in media release Thursday that Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac made the announcement during a Senate inquiry earlier in the day, as Senator Raffy Tulfo raised concerns over irregularities in pre-employment medical examinations and alleged abusive practices by some clinics.

"Yes, Mr. Chair, we will do that through the AKSYON Fund, dahil maaari po nating pondohan ang follow-through medical check-up ng ating mga OFW upang matiyak ang kanilang kalusug...