Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople. INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Under his administration, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government would launch a command center that will mainly focus on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress and in need of being repatriated back to the Philippines.
In his first State of the Nation Address (Sona), Marcos said the government would launch the “One Repatriation Command Center” which will serve as the emergency hotline for OFWs who are at risk and are abused by their employers.
“Ilalaan natin ang isang social media platform ng Department of Migrant Workers at ang hotline upang matulungan agad at mailigtas sila mula sa mas higit na kapahamakan,” he said in his speech.
(We will allocate a social media platform of the Department of Migrant Workers and a hotline so that the OFWs in distress will be assisted immediately.)
“Noon, nangungutang pa ang isang ina ng bawat OFW upang sumakay ng barko para pumunta sa Maynila at mangatok sa iba’t ibang ahensya para mapauwi ang anak na inaapi. Ngayon, kami na ang tatawag sa mga magulang ng OFWs para sabihin sa kanila ang petsa kung kailan nila mayayakap at makakapiling ang kanilang mga anak,” Marcos added.
(Before, a mother still had to borrow money to be able to board a ferry to Manila and to contact agencies to help repatriate her child who employers were abusing. Now, we will be the ones to call the parents of OFWs to tell them directly when they can expect their children home.)
Marcos also vowed to remove red tape in pursuing digital empowerment, noting plans to automate the verification of contracts and issue secure Overseas Employment Certifications that can be kept in smartphones.
He called on the Department of Migrant Workers to make this initiative a top priority.
The President said he also tasked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure that all diplomatic posts will help find jobs abroad for OFWs who became jobless in past years.
“Mula sa tatlong buwan ay gagawin na lang nating tatlong linggo para sa isang dayuhang employer na i-proseso ang mga papeles ng Pilipinong nais nitong kunin bilang empleyado,” Marcos vowed.
(From three months, we will make the processing of papers for foreign employers wishing to employ a Filipino for three weeks.)
Marcos also said he directed the DFA to simplify the handbook for the guidelines and regulations for OFWs, reducing the handbook with over 240 sections to a pamphlet with less than 100 pages.
“Mahirap na nga ang buhay, kaya naman ayaw pa natin makitang lalo pang nahihirapan ang ating mga manggagawang mandarayuhan sa pagtupad sa kanilang mga pangarap,” he said.
(Life is hard enough already, so we don’t want to see our OFWs further burdened.)
The President also said the Philippine government is coordinating with the government of Saudi Arabia to open deployment to the mid-eastern country.
He said the government would negotiate for proper income, treatment, and protection of the rights of OFWs deployed there.
Marcos said Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople is set to go to Saudi Arabia to check whether there are enough manpower there to ensure when deployment is open again, and to further push the fight against human trafficking.
“Muli nating pagtitibayin ang respeto at pagkakaibigan ng ating dalawang bansa tulad ng namagitan sa aking ama at sa kanilang hari,” the President said.
(We will strengthen the respect and friendship of the Philippines and Saudi Arabia just like the one we saw during my father’s time and the mid-eastern country’s king.)
Marcos also assured children of OFWs that the DMW would help them get into good schools where they can learn financial literacy, mental wellness, sports, arts and culture.
This, he said, will be coordinated by different government agencies.
“Sa ating mga kababayan na nasa ibang bansa: You deserve a Home in Government not only for the money that you send home, but you are not cold tools of the economy. You deserve it for your sacrifices, for our country and your perseverance and excellence in the global arena,” Marcos said.
“You OFWs represent the fighting faith of the Filipinos as a nation and as a people. Let us transform your overseas journey into inspirational stories for all time,” he added.
Marcos also thanked lawmakers and his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, for creating the DMW, which he called a “new home for our OFWs.”
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