President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, July 23, where he is expected to discuss different government issues that affect the lives of Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
During the 2016 presidential election, Duterte garnered the most votes from overseas Filipino voters, including in the UAE, with no other presidential candidate close behind.
As per Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, Duterte led the presidential race after garnering 313,346 votes during the overseas absentee voting (OAV).
During the pre-State of the Nation Address forum, different government offices reported the following OFW-related issues, accomplishments, and future plans for OFWs.
Protection of OFW rights
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary Silvestre Bello III underscored the recent signing of the labor deal between the Philippines and Kuwait which seeks to protect the welfare of OFWs in the Gulf state. The labor secretary said the deal is a reflection of the Philippine government’s efforts to protect OFWs abroad.
Currently, the government is eyeing to secure the same deal with Russia. The government also seeks to revise existing bilateral labor deals with other countries to pattern them with the deal signed with Kuwait.
He also highlighted that 13,000 Filipinos stranded in Saudi Arabia were able to return home since the beginning of Duterte’s leadership.
RELATED ARTICLE: PH, Kuwait ink labor deal protecting OFWs
Livelihood programs
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol said that the agriculture department offers livelihood programs and loans for OFWs who wish to start their own business.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also have similar program providing seminars and trainings for returning OFWs.
Local job opportunities
In an effort to encourage OFWs to return to the Philippines, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones announced the program “Sa Pinas Maam at Sir Ka” in partnership with DOLE.
The program seeks to encourage Filipino teachers and principals abroad to return to the Philippines by offering them salary similar to what they are receiving overseas.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Officer-in-Charge Prospero de Vera III added that Duterte recently signed Republic Act No. 11035 or the Balik Scientists Law that seeks to encourage Filipino scientists, investors, and engineers to return to the country through incentives and benefits.
The programs are separate from the local job fairs organized by DOLE with the latest one offering more than 80,000 jobs locally and overseas to jobseekers.
RELATED ARTICLE: Duterte signs law for OFW scientists, engineers
OFW one-stop-shop centers
Bello boasted the establishment of 17 one-stop-shop centers for OFWs where they can avail of government services related to their concerns and needs.
Participatory Governance Cluster (PGC) co-chair Benjamin Diokno reported that the one-stop-shop centers have serviced around 1.22 million OFWs.
Among the agencies included in the facility are the Bureau of Immigration, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Social Security System, Maritime Industry Authority, Commission on Filipino Overseas and Bayad Center.
OFW Bank
Bello added that an OFW Bank has been established specifically for financial concerns of OFWs.
The following services are offered by the bank:
– Deposit Products: Peso ATM Savings, time deposit, checking accounts, Future Need Savings Plan
– Loan products
– Investment Product: Unit Investment Trust Funds
– Payment services for SSS, OWWA, PhilHealth dues, insurance premium, credit cards, telephone & water bills, housing and business loans & tuition fees of OFWs’ beneficiaries.
RELATED ARTICLE: OFW Bank now open
