Senatorial candidate Camille Villar has vowed to prioritize the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), recognizing the sacrifices they make to provide better futures for their families.

Emphasizing the crucial role of OFWs in the nation’s economy and society, Villar underscored the need to further strengthen and integrate government efforts to protect and support Filipino workers abroad.

While the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) marked a major milestone in ensuring this goal, Villar noted that the agency continues to face “birth pains” in addressing cases involving maltreated OFWs, overstaying Filipinos, and repatriation issues.

“Our government must always ensure the protection of OFWs. But beyond that, we must also empower their families to wisely invest their hard-earned income,” Villar said.

Drawing from a long family tradition of supporting OFWs, Villar shared that her father, former Senate President Manny Villar, built his first housing unit for an OFW five decades ago. This commitment continues today through initiatives such as the annual OFW Family Summit, organized by the Villar family.

“The OFW Family Summit aims to help OFW families establish livelihoods or businesses. Every year, we also award house and lot packages to honor the dreams and hard work of OFW families,” Villar said.

The OFW Family Summit features seminars on government assistance, financial literacy, livelihood opportunities, and inspirational stories from successful OFWs who have built new lives through entrepreneurship after returning home.

As she looks ahead to serving in the Senate, Camille Villar pledged to remain a steadfast ally of OFWs.

“Life will always present challenges,” she said, “but you can count on me to always stand by our OFWs and work to make their lives—and the lives of their families—better.”