Sen. Bong Go pushes for DOFW to aid returning OFWs

Senator Bong Go is urging for the immediate passage of a bill that would create a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW) to better address the needs of OFWs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go highlighted that the pandemic has caused many overseas Filipino workers to lose their jobs and return to the Philippines, necessitating a dedicated agency to manage their concerns.

He explained that a DOFW would allow the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to focus on domestic labor issues, while the new department would handle the full migration cycle of OFWs.

The proposed department aims to improve government efficiency and effectiveness in providing services from deployment to reintegration.

With an estimated 300,000 OFWs expected to return due to the global crisis, there is an urgent need for reintegration programs and better inter-agency coordination.

Senate Bill 202, the Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of 2019, is the legislative measure Go is pushing, which seeks to consolidate OFW-related functions into a single department.

The DOFW would include an Undersecretary for Reintegration and Social Services, absorbing functions from existing bodies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The bill also proposes the establishment of OFW 'one-stop shops' across provinces to provide immediate assistance to returning OFWs and their families.

Current government programs like DOLE's WELL and TESDA's training initiatives are in place, but Go believes a dedicated department is crucial for more efficient service delivery.

The senator emphasized that creating the DOFW is a way to repay the sacrifices of OFWs by ensuring they receive improved government services.