Representatives from different overseas Filipino worker (OFW) groups are calling for the creation of a separate department for OFWs as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte during his campaign.
Engineer Madrigal Dimnang of the Union of Muslim Association in Riyadh said that the department will help lessen cases of abuse towards OFWs, especially household service workers (HSWs).
Author of the bill and ACTS-OFW representative John Bertiz assured that their bloc in the House of Representatives is working to pass the bill to create the Department of OFW.
“Hindi po kami tumitigil. Ang aksyon na inyong gagawin ay malaking bagay para gumulong na ang panukalang batas na ito na ipinangako ng ating Presidente Rodrigo Duterte para sa mga OFW,” Bertiz said.
Meanwhile, during the meeting of the 17th Congress at the Mitra Building of the House of Representatives, Dr. Cris Fernandez, FILIPINAS U chairperson, expressed her disappointment that some representatives are not really interested in pushing through the establishment of the government department focusing on the welfare of OFWs.
“Marami pong nakakarating sa amin na maraming tumututol at inuupuan lamang ang aming adhikain na magkaroon ng sarili naming departamento sa pamahalaan,” Fernandez was quoted to have said by GMA News.
