Villar files bill for creation of OFW department

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Cynthia Villar has pushed for the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers that would serve as a one-stop shop for the needs of migrant workers.

The proposal, one of the first bills filed by Villar as a new senator, is related to her advocacy to help the OFWs.

Villar noted that there are several agencies under the Departments of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Foreign Affairs (DFA) tasked to handle matters concerning the OFWs.

She said there is a need to centralize the tasks, as she noted that there are circumstances when OFWs could not determine whether to go to the DFA or DOLE.

“It would be better if there is one department that would take care of everything they need,” she said.

Villar admitted that her proposal would be opposed by the Palace as it would entail fund appropriation.

She said an exception should be made in the case of the OFWs who contribute close to $12 billion annually to the country’s economy.

“I would think our government is an evolution. It should not be static like before. Maybe 30 years ago we didn’t have that many OFWs. But now we have so many and they have so many problems,” Villar said.

The senator said that the attached agencies of the DFA and the DOLE such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) should all be under the jurisdiction of the Department of OFW.

Apart from centralizing the processing of OFW requirements, Villar said the Department of OFW would also handle the cases of the distressed migrant workers.