House adopts Senate version of bill creating OFW dept
FINALLY, the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) was approved in Congress.
During the last week of session for this year, the House of Representatives has adopted the Senate’s proposed measure creating a department for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The lower chamber adopted Senate Bill 2234 as an amendment to House Bill 5832. It will be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.
Under the bill, the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos (DMWOF) will absorb all functions and mandates of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and will be the primary agency under the Executive branch of the government tasked to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs and other overseas Filipinos.
The new department is mandated to formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, and implement policies, and undertake systems for regulating, managing, and monitoring the overseas employment of Filipino workers and reintegration of OFWs and other OFs, while taking into consideration the national development programs formulated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The DMWOF shall be composed of a secretary, four undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries.
It can be recalled that it is one of the priorities of the Duterte administration.
One of the principal authors, Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said the passage of the bill is one of the greatest parting gifts of President Duterte as he nears the end of his leadership.
“I am elated and wish to express my thanks to my counterparts in the Senate and my colleagues at the House of Representatives for approving this measure. This is our early Christmas present to the Filipinos abroad who continue to work hard to provide for their families despite the distance, loneliness, and all the challenges they encounter away from the comforts of home,” Salo said.
One of Kabayan Party-list’s primary advocacies is the protection and the promotion of the welfare of our OFWs.
“KABAYAN Partylist is and will always be a partner of our OFWs in their quest for a better livelihood, and eventually their return and reintegration to our beloved country. Considering the more than 10 million OFWs worldwide, I think it is really important that we have a dedicated agency that will protect and promote the rights of our OFWs,” Salo explained.
“Nonetheless, I would like to stress that the State does not promote overseas employment as a means to achieve economic recovery and national development. Overseas employment should just be an option. In doing so, the dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms of our OFWs shall not be taken for granted. We shall continuously endeavor to create local employment opportunities for the Filipinos. We look forward to the day when there will be no necessity for our fellow Filipinos to leave their families behind just to seek better opportunities abroad,” Salo said.
