Lawmaker seeks creation of OFW department

MANILA, Philippines - Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar is seeking the creation of a department that would integrate all agencies dealing with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In Bill 6637, a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW) separate from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) would be created to attend to the needs of millions of OFWs.

“The government must not only pay lip service to OFWs because of the significant value they bring to the economy. The Philippines is one of the nations whose investment in the global market is labor force. In fact, we can claim there isn’t a single country without a Filipino. Our OFWs have been the consistent top dollar earner for the country,” he said.

In 2009 alone, he said overseas workers brought in at least $17.3 billion to the local economy, equivalent to 11-12 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

“Their remittances have helped in stabilizing the economic situation of the country despite global recessions and economic downturn,” he said.

Villar pointed out that at present, there are a number of agencies attached to different offices dealing with OFWs.

Thus, the need to integrate and streamline these agencies’ functions and services under one department, he said.

He noted that many workers are even confused as to which agency they should go to for certain services. 

The proposed DOFW would be headed by a secretary to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Commission of Appointments. It would have three undersecretaries to be appointed also by the President.

Villar’s bill provides for the transfer to the proposed DOFW of the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs (from the Department of Foreign Affairs), Commission on Filipino Overseas (from the Office of the President) and all Philippine overseas labor offices (from the DOLE), and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (also from the DOLE).