Take advantage of mandatory repatriation, OFWs in Egypt urged

MANILA, Philippines - Marinduque Rep. Regina Reyes has appealed to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Egypt to take advantage of the mandatory repatriation being carried out by the government.

Reyes said the OFWs must give priority to their safety for the sake of their families in the Philippines, who are all worried about their situation.

In connection with this, Reyes has expressed support to House Bill 191 that seeks to create the Department of Overseas Workers.

Reyes, a former OFW herself, said the creation of such a department is timely amid the controversies besetting the agencies and even the officials who are supposed to guide and give assistance to OFWs.

Under HB 191 authored by Pangasinan Rep. Rosemarie Arenas, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA) will be dissolved and will be replaced by the Department of Overseas Workers, which will handle the deployment and repatriation of Filipino workers abroad.

Also, the powers and functions of OWWA and POEA and other pertinent offices under the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Foreign Affairs shall be transferred to the new department, which will also be a one-stop agency for OFWs.