JULY 18, 2016

NR # 4265B

Solon seeks creation of OFW department

A lawmaker is pushing for the creation of a department that will focus solely on the
needs and welfare of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Rep. Arthur C. Yap (3rd District, Bohol) filed House Bill 822, which seeks to
establish the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW).
Yap said a separate department for OFWs is necessary because overseas workers
have their own unique concerns that pertain only to their sector.
The three-term lawmaker said many Filipinos working abroad have suffered various
forms of abuse, which include experiencing rude treatment from government
representatives or embassy officials, exploitation of any sort by an employer or a recruiter,
unfair charging of unnecessary fees, illegal and untimely termination of work contract as
well as human trafficking.
Yap said at present, there are several government agencies mandated to address the
main concerns of OFWs, which include repatriation, illegal recruitment, excessive
collection of placement fees, and legal assistance.
These agencies are the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) of the Department of Labor (DOLE).
Unfortunately, the government has a very complicated migration management
structure. While coordination of these agencies is essential, they often lead to overlapping
of functions and responsibilities and wastage of public funds, Yap said.
Aside from ensuring the protection of the rights of the OFWs and the promotion of
their welfare, safety and support, the bill seeks to ensure that the government reaches out
and cooperates with other states where there are OFWs.
Likewise, measure aims to develop a database for OFWs to ensure assistance in
times of distress.
The proposal also intends to establish a strong and effective regulatory system that
will ensure only fit Filipinos are allowed to work outside of the country.
Another objective of the bill is to promote the human capital development of OFWs
to enable them to better compete in other countries.

On the other hand, the measure aims to extend deployment and repatriation
assistance and support to OFWs as well as promote the integration of returning OFWs.
Under the bill, the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers or Department shall be
headed a Secretary and shall be composed of the Office of the Secretary, the Office of the
Undersecretaries, and Assistant Secretaries and Regional and Assistant Regional
Directors.
The Secretary shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with
confirmation of the Commission on Appointments.
The Department shall be authorized to establish, operate and maintain a Regional
Office in each of the administrative regions of the country as the need arises.
The bill provides for the creation of a Special Assistance Revolving Fund for OFWs
in distress, both documented and undocumented, in the amount of P1 billion.
The fund will be utilized for repatriations; medical expenses, hospitalization and
purchase of medicine; migration fees for overstaying Filipinos; legal assistance; payment
of blood money when necessary and basic necessities of OFWs caught in emergencies or
are detained.
The measure further provided that 30 percent of the total fund shall be allotted to
support a livelihood training program or re-training of returning OFWs in new skills and
literacy. (30) mvip