Department of OFW Position Paper

As I scan, the House Bill No. 822 of the Seventeenth Congress entitled “An Act Establishing the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW), Defining its powers and functions, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes”, it immediately melts me. For a very long time, most Filipino houses were not complete, all those Sundays that are supposed to be a family day never happened while loneliness and parental guidance were not there for most of us all along.

It was no there because most of our family members need to work abroad for us; for our future and just to serve daily bread and milk in our table. 

The bill was normal since it is an establishment of a Government Department that will streamline the process of all policies, guidelines, and procedures for the Philippines modern heroes, “the OFWs”.

The Bill is relevant as OFWs are somewhat being neglected despite their number which is 10 million only in 2013 that brings almost 26 billion dollars in 2015. It is just right to establish a department that will focus on the OFWs welfare, benefits, protection, penalties, and the likes.

The only consequence or a risk we need to monitor like any other department of the government is the corruption and neglecting of duties. Overall, the Department of OFW is necessary nowadays as millions of Filipinos are affected, and everyone can be affected in case we choose to work abroad for our family and ourselves.

This is also the right timing to show our respect for all our modern heroes. They work hard to raise the earnings of our country lifting our economy. Ease of processing of their permits, prioritization, and benefits should be taken care-off and be pushing for them to continue living a better life whatever happens to them abroad. Some of the OFWs also suffer from worst employers but they opt to quit, as they believe that working abroad is their only way to lift their family from the slumps.

In fact, establishing the DOFW would increase the self-esteem of Filipino people who are having second thoughts of working abroad. The bill will also cover the training and development of OFWs to have flexible and diversified qualifications and further their opportunities working abroad. Most Filipino people are working as Domestic Helper but with the help of this department, OFWs might be rebranded or re-establish not as “House Maids” but much more technical and elevated workforces that most countries and employers are looking for.

In our country where political unite is not present, the community must now unite for the common good of everyone. Learning to trust and pushing for solidarity is the call today. OFWs need reinforcement and help. Let us set aside political color and do it for the better Philippines. OFWs are working so hard for us, so we also need to deliver for them especially on this predicament where they are trap on catastrophic events, war, employer abuse, fire, and other circumstances that they face alone. Establishing this department would be great and putting the best people here is also a must to remove corruption and employ sustainability from start to beginning.

by: OMM's Review