As part of his role as the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Chairperson, Senator Raffy Tulfo conducted a surprise visit on several accommodation houses in Metro Manila that temporarily house Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) awaiting deployment abroad.
Tulfo made the move after receiving numerous complaints from OFWs regarding violations at these facilities.
The legislator was joined by officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) led by Mylette Andres, Officer-in-Charge Director III of the Licensing and Regulations Bureau, Licensing and Adjudications Services.
The first stop of the lawmaker’s inspection was the accommodation house of Mondial Overseas Corporation Private Employment Agency in Quezon City.
Upon arrival, the senator was shocked by the prison-like conditions inside, where more than 40 OFWs were crammed into a small four-bedroom house, with no double-deck beds in each room.
“The restroom lacked a shower, had a toilet bowl without a flush, and was missing a door for privacy.”
Tulfo said he also observed that the restroom, lacked a shower, had a toilet bowl without a flush, and was missing a door for privacy. He immediately asked the owner of the accommodation, Roland Collado, whether he would allow his daughter to live in such conditions.
Tulfo also noticed the lack of a fire extinguisher and fire exits, which are crucial in case of fire. Additionally, the first-aid kit was found to be empty.
After inspecting Mondial, he proceeded to another accommodation house in Zamboanga, Quezon City, owned by Collado, which houses more than 40 OFWs as well.
Like the first accommodation, Tulfo criticized the rooms, which also lacked double-deck beds, had inadequate ventilation, and no emergency exits. The water dispenser was empty, and a notice was posted on the refrigerator door prohibiting OFWs from cooling water or storing food.
He suggested that at least three water dispensers with hot and cold water should be available, and emphasized that there should be a prayer room not only for Catholics but also for non-Catholic OFWs, a request immediately supported by a Muslim OFW staying there.
Tulfo also noted the presence of a sari-sari store inside the accommodation, which was also owned by Collado’s family that’s why he reminded Collado that OFWs should still be allowed the freedom to shop at outside stores or convenience stores.
Tulfo emphasized that he did not want to shut down the accommodation, as many OFWs were living there, but gave Collado one month to comply with the guidelines from the DMW. Collado promised to take immediate action.
Tulfo meanwhile expressed outrage upon seeing the horrifying conditions in four accommodation houses of MEJA International Manpower Agency Inc. in Paco, Manila, where OFWs were packed together like sardines. Worse, only one of these accommodations was registered with the DMW, according to Andres.
The rooms were overcrowded, lacked proper ventilation, and had no electric fans. One OFW reported that they had to buy their own electric fans.
The stairs in these accommodations were also without handrails, which Tulfo insisted needed immediate repair to prevent accidents.
“What was even more appalling was the absence of tables and chairs in these accommodations, thus forcing the OFWs to eat on the floor.”
What was even more appalling, he said, was the absence of tables and chairs in these accommodations, thus forcing the OFWs to eat on the floor. Tulfo reprimanded the caretaker, Melanie Cabangon, for mistreating their clients, who he said are the reason they have jobs in the first place.
Ultimately, Tulfo tasked the DMW to monitor and ensure that the owner of these accommodations comply with all the agency’s guidelines in order to continue operating.
