Senator Cynthia Villar pushed for the creation of a dedicated department to look after the welfare of 12 million Filipinos overseas.
Villar’s Senate Bill No. 146 or the “Department of Migration and Development Act of 2016,” seeks to create a department that will recommend and implement government policies, plans and programs for the promotion, protection, safety, development and support of Filipinos overseas and their families left behind.
Villar noted that despite the work of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and taking into account the assistance provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs, many Filipino abroad feel that they are being neglected by government.
“There are reports of numerous complaints and resentment towards government from overseas Filipino workers [OFWs] brought about by delayed and inadequate support and assistance while they are facing difficult predicaments abroad,” she said.
Under the bill, POEA and OWWA will be attached to the department for policy and program coordination.
The measure also seeks to create the P1-billion Special Assistance Revolving Fund for Filipino Migrants, both documented and undocumented. It will be used for emergency repatriation; medical expenses; immigration penalties; legal assistance; payment of blood money; humanitarian assistance to families left behind; scholarships for children of Filipinos overseas; maintenance and operational expenses including capital outlay for the establishment of One-Stop Migrant Processing and Assistance Centers.
Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas records, the Nacionalista Party senator said OFWs remitted $25.76 billion through formal channels and $28.5-billion personal remittances, making them significant contributors to the country’s gross domestic product and keep the Philippine economy buoyant.