Duterte certifies as urgent bill creating dep’t for migrant workers, overseas Filipinos

FILE PHOTO: In this June 2, 2020, photo, repatriated OFWs arrive at the NAIA Terminal 2. INQUIRER FILE/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent a proposed measure creating a separate department for migrant workers and overseas Filipinos, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement that this is “to provide a more efficient, whole-of-government approach to protect the rights and promote the welfare and interest of overseas Filipinos.”

The President has long promised to create a new department for migrant workers and OFWs.

Senate Bill No. 2234 has recently reached the Senate floor for plenary deliberations.

According to the Department of Budget and Management, at least P1.1 billion would be needed to create the proposed department.

Under the bill, the functions and mandate of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will be absorbed by the new department.

Other agencies that will be merged and transferred to the new department would be the following:

• Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) currently under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
• Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) currently under the Office of the President
• All Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) currently under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
• International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) currently under DOLE
• National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) currently under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
• National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) currently under DOLE
• International Social Services Office (ISSO) currently under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

KGA