WITH THE creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) during the Duterte administration, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) now have an official home in the government.
None other than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has supported the formation of an executive department exclusively for OFWs when he was still a senator.
Marcos is fully confident that with the appointment of Susan “Toots” Ople as the new chief, the DMW will fully take care of the welfare of OFWs. Secretary Ople has long served in this sector and has proven herself as a defender of OFWs.
Marcos stressed in his inaugural speech, that he has an Ople in his administration, remembering the track record, credibility and competence of an Ople serving the Filipino workers through the years. Blas Ople, father of Secretary Susan, has served as the Minister of Labor during the term of Marcos’ father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) administrator Bernard Olalia, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, Labatt Saul de Vries representing the labor attachés, the most senior POEA employee Robert Tuazon and the most recent hired POEA staff Sophia Coleen Padilla, DMW officials and guests warmly welcomed Secretary Ople, who immediately laid out her plans for the DMW.
Ople states that the POEA rules and regulations for sea-based and land-based recruitment agencies shall be made simpler, easy to understand and for immediate implementation. The DMW will review all requirements and systems for contract verification, Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) application for new hires, returning OFWs and direct hires. POEA Administrator Olalia was assigned to lead the internal processes and review the said guidelines.
Ople will personally head the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (TF-AIRTIP). For 18 years, she has continuously fought against human trafficking, and now as DMW secretary, she vowed to crack and continue to fight against syndicates that victimize OFWs online or offline.
Ople also warned abusive lawyers who victimize OFWs, the she will not hesitate to file charges against them.
“Basta OFW ang binibiktima nila, ako ang kalaban nila,” she said.
Part of the provisions of the DMW Law is the establishment of an “Aksyon Fund” which shall come from the General Appropriations Act for distressed OFWs. OWWA Administrator Cacdac was assigned to form the guidelines and start consultations with the stakeholders for this provision.
Ople will also use digital platforms for virtual town hall meetings to assist returning OFWs and OFWs who have already returned home. DMW will hold global and national reintegration summits in partnerships with various government agencies, civil society and the private sector.
Ople also hopes that mandatory fees imposed on OFWs such as PhilHealth, mandatory insurance and other fees will be lessened.
During the press conference, Inquirer’s public service program ‘Pilipinas Online-Bantay OCW’ mentioned about receiving numerous complaints of OFWs who are still abroad and stranded, despite end of contract because their employers or companies and recruitment agencies overseas, especially in the Middle East, do not allow our OFWs to return home.
Ople said that she will immediately create a “One-Repat Command Center” for immediate repatriation of our OFWs, the remains of the OFWs, and the immediate release from the OFWs abusive employers, at government’s expense.
Cacdac reported that the repatriation efforts of the government continue through the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) lead by the labor attaches’ and welfare officers overseas. He said that more than one million OFWs were repatriated, quarantined and transported to their provinces during the end of the Duterte administration. They were also given financial assistance Iike DOLE-AKAP (Abot-Kamay ang Pagtulong Program) and scholarship programs.
Cacdac also acknowledged those stubborn employers who refused to issue OFWs exit visas. They already reported those abusive employers to their host countries for the issuance of the said visas. He reiterated that OFWs will not incur personal expenses for their plane tickets.
Ople also mentioned that PBBM instructed her to attend and focused more attention to the welfare of the children of OFWs, as their parents had to leave and work abroad. The DMW is ready to initiate projects for these youths, including webinars to disseminate timely information to help and educate these OFW children.
Ople appealed to her colleagues in DMW: “Bawal ang pasaway, masungit at Maritess.” She asked them not to be stubborn, ill-tempered and avoid gossiping (Maritess).
If there are complaints against any DMW official or staff, they may file their complaints at feedback.gov.ph. In conclusion, Ople encouraged everyone to cooperate and unite for the success of their new home, the official home of our OFW heroes and their families, the Department of Migrant Workers./PN
