INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday approved the proposed P15.542 billion budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for 2024.
Sen. JV Ejercito, who was presiding over the budget hearing, moved for the approval of the proposed budget. It was seconded by Sens. Joel Villanueva, Christopher Go, and Ronaldo dela Rosa.
Ejercito then recommended the proposed budget for plenary deliberations.
Before the approval of the proposal, Go said the DMW budget would be crucial in addressing the challenges of migrant workers and in pursuing the country’s commitment to achieve social justice.
“Apart from safeguarding the rights and welfare of our OFWs [overseas Filipino workers,] the DMW also offers social protection not only to our OFWs but also to their relatives here in the country,” Go said.
READ:
House panel ends DMW budget briefing early to pay respects to Ople
Of the DMW’s proposed allocation of P15.542 billion, at least P11.9 billion would be allocated to its attached agency — the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Meanwhile, the remaining P3.5 billion would go to DMW’s Office of the Secretary.
The proposed budget does not contain confidential funds, but Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, earlier said that a secret fund would be necessary to combat illegal recruitment that endangers the lives of OFWs.