The proposed bill establishing a sole department for overseas Filipino workers or OFWs finally received the senate nod after passing the third and final reading.
Senators unanimously approved the long-overdue bill despite warnings from economic officials who have warned about bloating the government with new agencies.
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In a vote or 20-0-0 or no opposition and abstention, senators pass Senate Bill 2234 or the Department of Migrant Workers bill.
The bill is a priority legislation of the Duterte administration.
Senators must now meet with their counterparts at the House of Representatives through a bicameral conference in order to reconcile disagreeing provisions and garner approval from both chambers before they will submit the bill for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
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“One in 10 Filipinos work overseas and their generous remittance…is P3 million every minute. It comprises 12% of our national income,” Senator Joel Villanueva said in a statement.
“This moment is for every Filipino abroad who has sacrificed so much for their family and our beloved country,” Villanueva added. (TDT)
