The Senate subcommittee on finance has approved the proposed budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for 2024.
The DMW has proposed a P15.542-billion appropriation for next year. Of the amount, P11.9-billion would be allocated to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and P3.5-billion would go to the DMW’s Office of the Secretary.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who presided the hearing on the DMW’s budget recommended the agency’s proposed budget for plenary deliberations.
DMW’s next year’s proposed budget does not contain confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs).
During the hearing, senators urged DMW officials to expedite its legal and welfare services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), after noting that only 20 percent of the P1.2-million for its Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo Para sa Mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) fund had been utilized.
Senators also urged the agency to address concerns regarding its unfilled positions which is at 60 percent.