The House plenary hall (Contributed photo)

A measure expanding the use of the Legal Assistance Fund for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has been approved on second reading by the House of Representatives. 

Passed via simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes) during plenary session Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 21 was House Bill (HB) No. 9305, an act expanding the use of the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) and the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo Para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund. 

This development paves the way for the measure's approval on third and final reading as early as next week. 

Among the principal authors the bill is Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. 

“In its current form, the rules on the use of the [LAF] provide that it may be used on appeal, or until the finality of a decision and other services related thereto or for the settlement of civil liability. This means that the use of the fund is only optional and subject to the decision of the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). This causes delay in the provision of immediate assistance to OFWs in distress,” Salo said in his sponsorship speech. 

“On the other hand, the AKSYON Fund is currently available only to OFWs in distress who is a party to a civil, criminal, or labor dispute at the host country. Thus, it cannot be utilized by an OFW who seeks to initiate a complaint against erring employers abroad,” he added. 

“Thus, this bill seeks to clarify that both the LAF and AKSYON Fund shall be immediately, and at all times, available to all overseas Filipinos and migrant workers in distress from the time of commencement of the complaint, action or similar proceeding, until promulgation and execution of judgment, and at all levels of appeal,” Salo explained. 

Bulacan 6th district Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr., in a separate sponsorship speech, said: "The bill provides that in countries and territories where there are no migrant workers offices yet of Philippine Overseas Labor Offices as we used to call them, the [DFA] shall extend legal and other forms of assistance to the OFWs in the said areas." 

"Binibigay ko po ang aking buong suporta sa House bill na ito (I give my full support to this House bill)," Pleyto added. 

Salo said the proposed expanded scope of the LAF and the AKSYON Fund includes support for labor complaints against exploitative employers and legal actions against individuals in host countries. 

“Further, the bill clarifies the roles of the [DFA] and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in providing legal assistance to Filipino nationals abroad. Underlining a clear demarcation, the bill designates the DFA's responsibility for overseeing the well-being of overseas Filipinos while entrusting the DMW with the specific task of extending legal support to OFWs,” explained the Kabayan solon. 

Finally, Salo expressed optimism about its potential impact on OFWs, stating, “Once this bill is enacted, it will undoubtedly assist numerous OFWs by guiding them through the entire legal process, with the government's support from initial filing up to the filing of appeals, if necessary, until the conclusion of all subsequent legal proceedings.”