Senate OKs creation of OFW department on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to create a separate department for Filipino migrant workers is now only a step closer to the Senate’s final approval.

This, after senators on Monday approved on second reading Senate Bill No. 2234 or the proposed Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.

The passage of the measure is certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte. With the certification, the Senate can immediately proceed with the third reading approval of the bill without waiting for three days after it was approved on second reading.

But to allow more senators to vote on the passage of the bill in the chamber, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate will set the measure’s final reading approval on Tuesday.

This, to also let senators read a clean copy of the bill which includes adopted amendments.

Among these changes include the amendment proposed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who proposed changing the name of the agency from the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos to the Department of Migrant Workers.

This, in order to limit the new department’s jurisdiction to overseas employment and labor migration and let the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continue its authority over other Filipinos abroad.

Drilon also introduced an amendment that would require written authorization from the Philippine president, through the DFA, before the new department can pursue any international meetings or negotiations on treaties or executive agreements on matters within its mandate.

Senator Joel Villanueva, sponsor of the bill, accepted Drilon’s proposed amendments. Senator Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, said Drilon’s amendment would stress the DFA’s “primordial role” in treaty negotiations.

Drilon also sought to ensure that the DFA would retain its assistance to national and legal assistance funds for the benefit of other Filipinos abroad and for consular services.

JPV