BMW’s 2023 budget
THE dollar-oriented manpower export industry continues to play a critical role in the national government efforts to revitalize the country’s COVID-19-ravaged economy.
No less than the leadership of the 24-member Philippine Senate has acknowledged this by raising the proposed budget of the new Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Last Friday, the senators approved P16.3 billion worth of funds for the DMW in 2023, which is higher than the P15.2 billion the congressmen earmarked last September.
The amount includes an additional P1.15 billion from the upper chamber, according to DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, a daughter of the late Senate President Blas F. Ople.
Ople said the budget would fund the establishment of 16 DMW regional offices and overseas employment adjudication offices in Metropolitan Manila and other regions.
At the same time, the soft-spoken but hard-working lady Cabinet member vowed full transparency, accountability and judicious use of the agency’s P16.3-billion national budget.
The budget also includes an allocation to fund the operations of the OFW Hospital in Mabalacat, Pampanga. The hospital is set to hire more personnel and buy new equipment.
With the creation of the DMW, the government is on track in unburdening our millions of overseas jobseekers, including household workers, from the problem of illegal recruitment.
Kasi tututukan nina DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople ang paghabol sa illegal recruiters na patuloy na nambibiktima sa ating mga kawawang kababayan, lalo na sa kanayunan.
