Senator Christopher “Bong” Go today lauded the ongoing collaborative efforts between the executive and legislative branches of government to ensure the passage of a measure that would create a new department dedicated to handling the affairs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
(OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The proposed legislation is the second iteration of Senate Bill (SB) 202, filed by Go last July 2019, which seeks to improve the delivery of government services to Filipinos abroad by bringing together and streamlining the relevant services scattered across various national agencies.
The Go bill takes into consideration the inputs from the concerned executive agencies and has been endorsed by the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) to the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development.
“Simula noong nakaraang taon pa, nanawagan na ako na sana’y mapadali ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa ating overseas Filipino workers sa pamamagitan ng pagtayo ng isang departamento na mamamahala sa pag-aalaga ng kanilang kapakanan,’’ Go said. (As early as last year, I have been calling for the speedy provision of services to our overseas Filipino workers through the establishment of a department that will oversee their welfare.)
Recognizing the significant contribution of the overseas Filipinos to the country’s economy and emphasizing the need to serve and protect them better, President Duterte has twice called on Congress to pass the priority measure during his 2019 and 2020 State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs).
“Mas lumala pa ngayon ang sitwasyon dahil sa hirap na dulot ng COVID-19 crisis. Kung mayroon pong at may iisang departamento na tututok sa mga pangangailangan nila, mas mapapadali sana ang koordinasyon ng mga ahensya,’’ he pointed out. (The situation has now worsened due to the difficulties brought by COVID-19 crisis. If there is a that is dedicated to handling the affairs of overseas Filipinos, coordination of agencies will be easier.)
The new version, SB 1835, brings together under one department the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Commission on Overseas Filipinos, all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the International Labor Affairs Bureau under DOLE, and International Social Services Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In the new version of the bill, the DOOF will exercise administrative supervision over the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) which shall be attached to the envisioned department.
Once established, the DOOF will protect the rights and promote the welfare of overseas Filipinos; formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, and implement policies; and undertake systematic national development programs for managing and monitoring the overseas or foreign employment of Filipino workers, among others.
“Importante klaro po ang mandato nito at ‘di mag-overlap sa ibang ahensya, tulad ng DOLE at DFA,’’ he said. (It is important that its mandate is clear and it doesn’t overlap with other agencies, such as the DOLE and DFA.)
The measure proposes that the new Department will be led by a Secretary and four Undersecretaries who shall head the following offices: (1) Administration and Finance; (2) Foreign Employment; (3) Assistance to Overseas Filipinos in Distress; and (4) Policy, Treaties, International Agreements and Special Concerns.
Under the bill, the Assistance-to-Nationals offices found in all foreign service posts will serve as the department’s overseas operating arm. They will look after the welfare of Filipinos abroad and provide assistance with regard to problems, such as contract violations, poor employment conditions and exploitation in the work place, among others.
In addition, distressed overseas Filipinos in need of temporary shelter, medical aid and other forms of assistance may find them in the Migrant Workers and other Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers that will be set up in every country of destination. The centers will be staffed with psychologists, social workers, and a Shari'a or human rights lawyer as well as case or public relations officers fluent in the local language, laws, customs and practices of the country.
The bill also notably directs the establishment of Overseas Filipino Malasakit Centers in strategic locations throughout the country to serve as a one-stop shop for migrant Filipinos and their families requiring clearances and permits, validation of overseas job offers, reintegration services and pertinent seminars and workshops.
To support the department’s operations and activities, a computer-based management information system containing all the overseas Filipinos’ relevant information will be created at the department and office level.