ACTS-OFW Partylist has thanked President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte for signing into law the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) that would address the increasing needs and demands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

Imelda Enriquez, the first nominee of ACTS-OFW Partylist, said the enactment of the new law is the greatest gift to the entire OFW and migrants’ sector which is considered as one of the most mistreated and abused labour forces in the world.

“Kami ay sumasaludo kay Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa tuluyang pagsasabatas ng panukala na lilikha sa Department of Migrant Workers, ito ang matagal nang hinihintay ng mga kapatid nating OFW, maraming salamat po sa pagdinig sa aming hiling,” she said.

“Nagpapasalamat rin kami kay Senador Bong Go, na isa sa mga principal author ng Senator Bill No. 2234, siya talaga ang nagpursige para maisakatuparan ang minimithing kagawaran para sa Overseas Filipino Workers. Hanga po kami sa iyong tapat na pagmamalasakit at pagpapahalaga sa kapwa Pilipino.” she added.

“Sa wakas, magkakaroon na sila ng tunay na boses sa ating lipunan, daglian nang matutugunan ang kanilang mga suliranin at pangangailangan, at tuluyang nang mawawaksi ang pagmamalupit sa kanila ng mga dayuhang amo,” Enriquez also said.

The establishment of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will consolidate into a single coherent office all the agencies involved in attending the different needs of overseas Filipinos workers and their families.

A total of seven offices will be merged into the Department of Migrant Workers which includes DFA-OUMWA, POEA, POLO, ILAB, NRCO and NMP under DOLE, and the Office of the Social Welfare Attache of DSWD. The OWWA will be an attached agency of the new department.

The proposed department will also carefully arrange the policies and efforts to protect and provide opportunities to the OFWs.

“Noong pa mang ika-17th Congress, ang ACTS OFW Partylist ay isinusulong na ang pagbuo ng departamento para sa ating mga bagong bayani, sa pagsusumikap ni former Representative Aniceto “John” Bertiz III,” Enriquez stated.

“Sa katunayan, kami ang pangunahing may-akda ng House Bill 192 na finile noong 2016, na naglalayong likhain ang tinatawag pa nila noon na Department of Migration and Development,” she reiterated.

Enriquez explained that one of the main features of the law is its full cycle reintegration program, which will truly help ACTS-OFW Partylist platforms centered on the reintegration not only of the OFWs but also of the agriculture sector.

Meanwhile, Bertiz, who currently served as TESDA Deputy Director General, was greatly overwhelmed as his ultimate dream finally turned into reality.

“Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang aking kasiyahan sa mga oras na ito, ang kaisang-isang pangarap ko para sa mga OFW ay natupad na. Hindi na ako mangangamba pa na sila’y muling mapabayaan,” he said.

He also remarked, “bilang isang dating OFW, alam ko ang kanilang pinagdaanang hirap at pagdurusa sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Kaya ito na ang takdang panahon para masuklian ang lahat ng mga sakrispyo ng nga kababayan nating OFW sa pamamagitan ng angkop, maayos at mabilis na serbisyo.”

“Maraming salamat, mahal na Pangulong Duterte at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng kasalukuyang administrasyon para sa natatanging pamana na ito,” Bertiz added.

During its term in the 17th Congress, ACTS-OFW Partylist filed several legislative measures and launched many programs to emancipate and equip OFWS and their families.

Some of these are the: a) 10-year validity of Passport, b) House Bill 5197 which is act creating the overseas Filipino workers bank; c) House Bill 5685, an act instituting the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, and many more.