OFW Partylist Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino held a policy dialogue recently with the Department of Migrant Workers headed by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac to reiterate her call to use the Department’s Aksyon Fund to help more distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino wrote to DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac last month, not only to convey the problems of our OFWs in the Middle East but to suggest wider measures to utilize the department’s Aksyon Fund to help OFWs in specific circumstances, especially to cover unpaid debts of OFWs, personal or otherwise, to secure exit visas in favor of OFWs-debtor.

In particular, the party list lawmaker cited the following grounds: death of an OFW-debtor whose remains cannot be repatriated until payment of debt; OFW-debtor is due to return home or for repatriation for reason of grave or serious illness, other medical emergencies, or permanent disability; rescue from maltreatment and abuse of employers, contract violation, or serious threats to OFW’s person and well-being from different actors in the host country, which impede the OFW’s opportunity to work; or termination or non-renewal of OFW’s contract and the OFW is 60 years old or above.

The proposal also includes other analogous emergency situations requiring the voluntary or mandatory repatriation of the OFW such as the geo-political tensions in the host country.

“When I visited our OFWs in their host countries, these are the common problems they have and these can be solved by reforming the guidelines of the Aksyon Fund. Nasa Middle East man sila, Asia, Europe at iba pang sulok ng mundo, kailangan nila ng mas malawak na tulong natin sa mga realidad na kanilang kinakaharap lalo na sa mga biglaang kailangan lumikas dahil sa tensyon sa bansang pinagtatrabahuhan,” Magsino explained.

Magsino also emphasized during the dialogue that many OFWs are successful and are living their dreams, but there are some who go home without any savings, maltreated, or victimized by illegal recruiters. She reiterated the need for reintegration programs as safety nets for these OFWs.

“The OFWs may be flattered with accolades of being our modern day heroes, but what they need right now are targeted solutions to the specific challenges they face in host countries. We have the funds to help them during untenable situations and as they return to the country to start anew,” Magsino reiterated.

In response, DMW Secretary Cacdac, along with other officials, expressed their support for Rep. Magsino’s proposals and committed to amending the Aksyon Fund guidelines.

DMW officials also cited that they have been extending assistance to OFWs with pending debts or loans under special circumstances. One case is that of a 72-year old OFW with grave illness who was provided assistance by DMW with his pending obligations out of humanitarian consideration.

However, this is not yet explicitly stated in their guidelines and is only done on a case-to-case basis.

Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera also attended the dialogue. She highlighted the Expanded Solo Parent Act (RA 11861), which now includes provisions treating spouses or guardians of OFW children left in the Philippines as solo parents and are thus entitled to the benefits under the law. Secretary Cacdac also mentioned OWWA’s Children’s Program, which aims to involve the identified beneficiaries in various activities.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority, represented by Usec. Gene Abot, was also invited to provide guidance to DMW on streamlining processes for a more expeditious delivery of services.

DMW is set to undergo the scrutiny of the Committee on Appropriations on September 9, 2024.

“Tayo ay matibay na sandigan ng DMW sa Kongreso dahil nakikita natin ang bigat ng kanilang mandato at kanilang pagpupursige na magampanan ito. Subalit, kasama po sa ating paggabay sa kanila ang pagpaparating ng mga suhestyon ng ating mga OFWs upang mas maisaayos pa ang mga programa at proseso,: said Magsino.