The Senate subcommittee on finance has rejected proposals of giving the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) a confidential and intelligence fund (CIF), but is open to giving it a higher amount to work on for next year.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito presides over the Finance Subcommittee hearing on the 2024 proposed budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. (Senate PRIB Photo)
The DMW’s proposed 2024 budget that was submitted to the Department of Budget and Manamagent (DBM) was P29.488-billion, but the agency only recommended P15.542-billion total appropriations or 52.71 percent of the requested amount.
Of this amount, P3.560-billion is recommended for the DMW Office of Secretary, while the remaining P11.981-billion will be allocated to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as an attached agency of DMW.
During a budget briefing on Monday, Sept. 11, Senator Raffy Tulfo proposed the allocation of a P20-million confidential fund for the DMW to combat human trafficking and apprehend illegal recruiters.
But Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said this is unnecessary.
“We can strengthen the bureau instead under Usecretary Bernard Olalia tutal epektibo naman kayo (since you are effective in the DMW). So, we don't have to use confidential and intelligence funds. Maging example tayo na (Let’s be an example of one of the) civilian departments (that) do not need this,” Ejercito said during the hearing.
Ejercito said he too supports the view that it is more fitting to leave the request for CIFs to departments or agencies that are concerned with national security.
But the Senate will take into consideration the proposed additional funding for DMW.
Olalia accepted this and assured the Senate that the additional funding would be put to good use as it would be spent not only for its local operations but also for its migrant workers' offices abroad.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also said he is against expanding the application of the CIF, saying he would prefer it if the DMW would just strengthen its migrant workers’ protection bureau.
“Let’s give them regular budget items, no need to invent a new one like CIF,” Pimentel said.
Ejercito said it is imperative for the DMW to take strong action with the increasing incidences of human trafficking.
He also urged the DMW to address peoples’ complaints about the outbound screening process.
“I believe that addressing this issue will be a significant challenge for the DMW. I completely agree that many people are taking advantage of our OFWs (overseas Filipino workes) and it's truly unfortunate. Even before they leave the country, many of them are already victimized,” Ejercito said.
“Hangad po ng komiteng ito na ang maipapasa nating budget ng DMW para sa fiscal year 2024 ay sasalamin sa pagmamahal, pag-aruga, at dedikasyon ni Sec. Toots Ople na maproteksiyonan ang ating mga migrant workers (This committee aspires to pass a DMW budget for 2024 that will reflect the love, care and dedication of the late Sec. Susan ‘Toots’ Ople to protect our migrant workers),” Ejercito said.
Ople, a known advocate of OFWs rights passed away last Aug. 22, 2023 and served as the first secretary of the DMW.