Former Special Assistant to the President and administration senatorial bet Bong Go lauded the signing into law of the “Handbook for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Act of 2018” as he reiterated his commitment to further promote OFW welfare.
The law mandates the POEA to publish, develop and disseminate a handbook for all OFWs on topics such as migrant workers’ rights and responsibilities.
“Malaking tulong po ang handbook na ito sa ating mga OFW. Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagpirma sa batas na ito. Mahal po ni Pangulong Duterte ang ating mga OFW kaya suportado niya anumang hakbang na magsusulong sa kanilang kapakanan,” said Go.
The new law is consistent with the State policy “to afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized or unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.”
Meant to serve a ready reference for OFWs, the handbook is expected to assist them in asserting their rights and responsibilities as provided by Philippine laws and the existing labor and social laws in the countries of their destinations.
To ensure it would be understood by the OFWs, the handbook is written in English with translations in local languages.
“Maraming po tayong mga OFW ang nagkakaroon ng mapait na karanasan sa abroad dahil sa hindi nila alam ang kanilang mga karapatan at mga batas na umiiral. Kaya naman makakatulong ang handbook na ito para maiwasan nilang mapasok sa gusot,” the former presidential aide said.
However, Go said he would like to make the lives of OFWs a lot easier by streamlining the processes in providing them the services they deserve and the protection of their rights as migrant workers.
“Kung papalarin po ako sa Senado, isusulong ko ang pagkakaroon ng Department of OFW,” he said.
With so many government agencies involved in OFW concerns—such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Department of Labor and Employment — Go noted that oftentimes Filipino workers abroad who find themselves in trouble have a hard time finding out where to seek help.
“Filipino workers abroad who find themselves in trouble have a hard time finding out where to seek help.”
“Kung may Department of OFW na po tayo, iisang ahensya na lang ang lalapitan ng mga OFW o kanilang kamag-anak. At dahil iisang ahensya na lamang ang responsible sa mga OFW, mas magiging mabilis ang pag-aksyon sa anumang tulong o serbisyo na kailangang nila,” he said.
Go noted that the concept of the Department of OFW is similar to the idea behind the Malasakit Center, which is part of his health agenda.
“The concept of the Department of OFW is similar to the idea behind the Malasakit Center.”
A Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop bringing together in one room all concerned government agencies such as Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes and Philhealth to make it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government.
Go is also pushing for a law that would enable the establishment of Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban centers in the country to reach out to more Filipinos.
Also included in Go’s legislative agenda are programs on agriculture, education, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, housing, education, anti-corruption, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, fire protection and prevention, barangay welfare and improved benefits for senior citizens.
