Binay may also get task force on OFWs

MANILA, Philippines – Aside from being the government’s housing czar, Vice President Jejomar Binay may also be designated as head of a task force that deals with concerns of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), President Aquino said over the weekend.

“I think that can be done because the other one is a task force. We’re just reviewing to be sure that we will not be violating the appointments rule,” the President said.

“We discussed that (task force on OFWs) at the same time that we discussed HUDCC (Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council) position. He asked for it,” Mr. Aquino disclosed. “Many people have been approaching us even during the campaign, raising concerns about OFWs.”

The President said his marching orders for Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, as well as concerned agencies Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, were very specific.

“One of the marching orders to DFA and concerned agencies like OWWA and POEA, is to ensure that everything which can be done for our OFWs is done. Of course, their contributions to our country are significant. The hardships they face are also daunting,” he said.  

Malacañang welcomed last Friday Binay’s decision to join the Aquino Cabinet.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Chief Executive was glad that Binay finally took the offer. The former Makati mayor previously declined Mr. Aquino’s offer for him to head the MMDA, the Department of Agriculture and HUDCC, among others.

“The President welcomes the Vice President’s acceptance of HUDCC. He had reiterated his offer in view of his desire for a unified administration to serve the people. We look forward to the Vice President’s positive contributions to the administration’s efforts,” he said.

Gawad Kalinga earlier asked Binay to chair the HUDCC, a position previously held by his predecessor, former Vice President Noli de Castro.

GK founder Tony Meloto and executive director Luis Oquiñena met with Binay to present a national program, Kalinga sa Bayan, that would take care of the poor and the marginalized. They asked the Vice President to champion this cause.

“I look forward to implementing the President’s objectives for housing and shelter and working with volunteer organizations like the Gawad Kalinga, with whom I share a common dream of building not just homes but sustainable communities for our people,” Binay said.

Binay’s media officer Joey Salgado said his boss “has always maintained that he is ready to assist the President. Such offer is not pre-conditioned on any Cabinet position.”

“It’s not the positions being offered to the Vice President but the need for people who can assist the President. In whatever capacity, the Vice President is ready to help,” he added.

The program calls for GK’s basic commitment to help five million families, not just with land, homes and food, but in any other way that can ease their fears and suffering and raise the quality of their lives.

Kalinga sa Bayan will seek active engagement with local government units and offer itself as a catalyst for multi-sectoral initiatives to address basic needs and concerns of the poor in their towns and provinces.

“Vice President Binay as mayor of Makati has been an aggressive GK partner for two years and jointly supporting community building efforts of more than 400 informal settlers from Makati now relocated in a beautifully developed subdivision in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan,” GK said.

“GK wants to share the effectiveness of its experience in addressing poverty in novel and powerful ways. GK believes that Vice President Binay will be a strong and dedicated champion for the poor with his own wisdom and effectiveness born of his experience and achievements in Makati City, which is the premier city of the country,” GK added.

GK said Makati residents, especially those in the lower economic classes, enjoy health, education and senior citizen benefits that are envied by those residing in other towns and cities in the Philippines.