Pathfinder On Rights of Filipino Migrant Workers (July 23, 2019)

/file/rdbsommer
Introduction
This pathfinder contains suggested local and foreign information resources on migrant labor and
Filipino migrant workers found at the House of Representatives Legislative Library and on the
Internet such as books, electronic journals, Philippine legislative and executive issuances,
websites, newspaper articles, etc. It also contains the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and
Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
BOOKS:
(HRep-KDC) HD 5856 P6 A8 2007

Location: House of Representatives Legislative Library (KDC Collection)
The ASEAN declaration for the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers (Papers
presented during a Forum on "The ASEAN Declaration for the Protection and Promotion of the
Rights of Migrant Workers: What's Next"). Quezon City, Feb. 22, 2007. -- 119 pages.
(HRep-KDC) K 3240 P55 [2014?]

Handbook on the United Nations Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers
and members of their families / Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines; Center for
Migrant Advocacy- Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines. -- 220 pages.
[See pdf/file attachment or click cited link]

International Labour Organization Country Office for the Philippines. (2018, March). Fair perspective :
stories of Filipino migrant workers in the media. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-
manila/documents/publication/wcms_648245.pdf
(HRep-KDC) HD 5856 P6 R43 2007 [See pdf/file attachment]

Referral system for the recovery and reintegration of trafficked persons / Social Technology Bureau,
Department of Social Welfare and Development with the assistance of the International Labour
Organization. Manila: DSWD, [2007]. -- 88 pages. -- House of Representatives Legislative Library
(KDC Collection). Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---
asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-manila/documents/publication/wcms_125278.pdf
(YRC) KPM 2150 A3 1995 P5 2003

Location: House of Representatives Legislative Library (Yorac Collection)
The Rights of Filipino migrants a primer on Republic Act 8042 and the International Convention on
Migrant Workers = mga karapatan ng mga migranteng Pilipino, isang praymer sa Batas Pambansa
8042 at Pandaigdigang kasunduan para sa mga Migranteng Manggagawa / Philippine Migrants
Rights Watch. Quezon City : Philippine Migrants Rights Watch, 2003.
Subjects--Topical Terms: Filipinos--Employment--Legal status, laws, etc. ; Foreign workers,

Philippine--Legal status, laws, etc. ; International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all
Migrant Workers and Members of the Families (1990)
Subjects--Geographic Terms: Philippines. Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995.

Strengthening Protection of Migrant Workers and their Families with International Human Rights
Treaties : A Do-it-yourself Kit. Geneva, Switzerland: International Catholic Migration
Commission, March 2006. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/files/Strengthening_protection_of_migrant_workers.pdf
Prepared & Compiled by the Legislative Information Service Development Group, LLMS, LIRSDB, LIRMD - House of Representatives 1
Journal Articles
Reference:
Asuncion, R. A. (2014). The Domestic Workers Act of the Philippines: issues, challenges and concerns.
Labour & Industry: a journal of the social and economic relations of work, 24:4, 317-330, DOI:
10.1080/10301763.2014.978964. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10301763.2014.978964?scroll=top&needAccess=tr
ue
The Domestic Workers Act of the Philippines: issues, challenges and concerns
Ronahlee A. Asuncion
Labour & Industry: a journal of the social and economic relations of work
Volume 24, 2014 - Issue 4: Women, Work and Collectivism: Revisited
Pages 317-330 | Received 03 Mar 2014, Accepted 19 Sep 2014, Published online: 16 Dec 2014
Abstract
As more and more women enter the workforce, their household duties and the need to take care
of their children are left to domestic workers. In 2010, more than 1.9 million domestic workers
in the Philippines were aged 15 years and older. The vast majority were female (85%), according
to the Philippines’ 2010 Labour Force Survey. Most come from poor families in the provinces
where they either attended school for a few years or did not have any formal education, making
them more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. In order to protect and ensure their welfare,
President Benigno S. Aquino III assented to the Domestic Workers Act or Republic Act (RA) 10361
on 18 January 2013. Stakeholders from various sectors consider the Act to be a landmark labour
and social law for recognising the rights of domestic workers, as well as the need to protect and
improve their working conditions. However, public policy has both intended and unintended
consequences. This article examines the key issues, challenges and concerns around RA 10361.
From a qualitative analysis of interview and secondary data, weaknesses in the legislation are
identified, and recommendations are made to encourage the maximisation of benefits received
by its primary stakeholder: domestic workers. These include the need for collective organisation
by the highly feminised body of domestic workers in the Philippines.
Keywords: domestic workers, Domestic Workers Act of the Philippines, women’s work, decent
work, precarious employment
Author information
Ronahlee A. Asuncion is a full-time faculty at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations
(SOLAIR) University of the Philippines Diliman. She currently serves as the Director of the Center
for Industry, Productivity and Competitiveness.
Journal Articles
Decentering Citizenship: Gender, Labor and Migration Rights in South Korea, by Hae Yeon Choo.
Academic Journal / By: York, Robert. In: Korean Studies. Annual, 2018, Vol. 42, p91, 3 p.;
University of Hawaii Press Language: English, Database: Literature Resource Center. Subjects:
Books -- Book reviews; Decentering Citizenship: Gender, Labor and Migration Rights in South
Korea (Nonfiction work) -- Book reviews. (Location/Access: University of the Philippines
Diliman Library)
The Elasticity of the Migrant Labour Supply: Evidence from Temporary Filipino Migrants.
Academic Journal / By: Bertoli, Simone; Fernández-Huertas Moraga, Jesús; Keita, Sekou.
Journal of Development Studies. Nov2017, Vol. 53 Issue 11, p1822-1834. 13p. 3 Charts, 4
Graphs. DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2016.1219347. , Database: Business Source Ultimate.
(Location/Access: University of the Philippines Diliman Library)

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of Their Families Adopted by General Assembly resolution 45/158 of 18 December 1990.
Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/cmw.pdf
Philippines : good practices for the protection of filipino women migrant workers in vulnerable
jobs / Report By: Villalba, Maria Angela Mayan C.. In: ILO Working Papers, 2002.;
International Labour Organization, 2002. Language: English, Database: RePEc. Subjects:
women workers; migrant worker; workers rights; labour legislation; comment; Philippines;
travailleuses; travailleur migrant; droits des travailleurs; lé gislation du travail; commentaire;
trabajadoras; trabajador migrante; derechos de los trabajadores; legislació n del trabajo;
comentario; Filipinas. (Location/Access: University of the Philippines Diliman Library)
Salvador Daway, P. R. P. (2010). Migrant Workers’ Rights and Status under International
Law: the Asian Experience. Journal of East Asia & International Law, 3(2), 263–292.
Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=57206284&site=eds-
live / (Location/Access: University of the Philippines Diliman Library)
Welfare without borders: unpacking the bases of transnational social protection for
international migrants. Academic Journal. By: Paul, Ruxandra. Oxford Development Studies.
Mar2017, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p33-46. 14p. DOI: 10.1080/13600818.2016.1271868. , Database:
Business Source Ultimate. (Location/Access: University of the Philippines Diliman Library)
York, R. (2018). Decentering Citizenship: Gender, Labor and Migration Rights in South Korea, by
Hae Yeon Choo. Korean Studies, 91. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsglr&AN=edsgcl.544710433&si
te=eds-live / (Location/Access: University of the Philippines Diliman Library)
ASEAN Web Resources:
Reference:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2007, January 13). ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and
Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://asean.org/?static_post=asean-declaration-on-the-protection-and-promotion-of-the-rights-of-
migrant-workers
ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of

Migrant Workers
WE, the Heads of State/Government of the Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(hereinafter referred to as ASEAN), attending the 12th ASEAN Summit on 13 January 2007 in Cebu,
Philippines;
RECALLING the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II adopted at the 9th ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia,
which stipulated the establishment of an ASEAN Community resting on three pillars: an ASEAN
Security Community, an ASEAN Economic Community and an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community;
RECALLING also the Universal Declaration on Human Rights adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly
Resolution 217(A)(III) of 10 December 1948, as well as other appropriate international instruments
which all the ASEAN Member Countries have acceded to, in order to safeguard the human rights and
fundamental freedoms of individuals such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
RECALLING further the Vientiane Action Programme adopted at the 10th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Lao
PDR, which provides for, inter alia, the promotion of human rights and obligations to realise an open,
dynamic and resilient ASEAN Community;
CONFIRMING our shared responsibility to realise a common vision for a secure and prosperous ASEAN
Community by improving the quality of life of its people and strengthening its cultural identity towards
a people-centered ASEAN through, among others, measures on the protection and promotion of the
rights of migrant workers;
RECOGNISING the contributions of migrant workers to the society and economy of both receiving states
and sending states of ASEAN;
RECOGNISING further the sovereignty of states in determining their own migration policy relating to
migrant workers, including determining entry into their territory and under which conditions migrant
workers may remain;
ACKNOWLEDGING the legitimate concerns of the receiving and sending states over migrant workers, as
well as the need to adopt appropriate and comprehensive migration policies on migrant workers;
ACKNOWLEDGING also the need to address cases of abuse and violence against migrant workers
whenever such cases occur;
REITERATING that ASEAN should make further progress as a cohesive and caring society committed to
enhancing the quality of life and well being of its people, especially those in the vulnerable and
disadvantaged sectors;
HEREBY DECLARE AS FOLLOWS:
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Both the receiving states and sending states shall strengthen the political, economic and social pillars of the
ASEAN Community by promoting the full potential and dignity of migrant workers in a climate of
freedom, equity, and stability in accordance with the laws, regulations, and policies of respective
ASEAN Member Countries;
The receiving states and the sending states shall, for humanitarian reasons, closely cooperate to resolve the
cases of migrant workers who, through no fault of their own, have subsequently become
undocumented;
The receiving states and the sending states shall take into account the fundamental rights and dignity of
migrant workers and family members already residing with them without undermining the application
by the receiving states of their laws, regulations and policies; and
Nothing in the present Declaration shall be interpreted as implying the regularisation of the situation of
migrant workers who are undocumented.
OBLIGATIONS OF RECEIVING STATES
Pursuant to the prevailing laws, regulations and policies of the respective receiving states, the receiving
states will:
Intensify efforts to protect the fundamental human rights, promote the welfare and uphold human dignity
of migrant workers;
Work towards the achievement of harmony and tolerance between receiving states and migrant workers;
Facilitate access to resources and remedies through information, training and education, access to justice,
and social welfare services as appropriate and in accordance with the legislation of the receiving state,
provided that they fulfill the requirements under applicable laws, regulations and policies of the said
state, bilateral agreements and multilateral treaties;
Promote fair and appropriate employment protection, payment of wages, and adequate access to decent
working and living conditions for migrant workers;
Provide migrant workers, who may be victims of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, violence, with
adequate access to the legal and judicial system of the receiving states; and
Facilitate the exercise of consular functions to consular or diplomatic authorities of states of origin when a
migrant worker is arrested or committed to prison or custody or detained in any other manner, under
the laws and regulations of the receiving state and in accordance with the Vienna Convention on
Consular Relations.
OBLIGATIONS OF SENDING STATES
Pursuant to the prevailing laws, regulations and policies of the respective sending states, the sending states
will:
Enhance measures related to the promotion and protection of the rights of migrant workers;
Ensure access to employment and livelihood opportunities for their citizens as sustainable alternatives to
migration of workers;
Set up policies and procedures to facilitate aspects of migration of workers, including recruitment,
preparation for deployment overseas and protection of the migrant workers when abroad as well as
repatriation and reintegration to the countries of origin; and
Establish and promote legal practices to regulate recruitment of migrant workers and adopt mechanisms
to eliminate recruitment malpractices through legal and valid contracts, regulation and accreditation
of recruitment agencies and employers, and blacklisting of negligent/unlawful agencies.
COMMITMENTS BY ASEAN
For purposes of protecting and promoting the rights of migrant workers, ASEAN Member Countries in
accordance with national laws, regulations and policies, will:
Promote decent, humane, productive, dignified and remunerative employment for migrant workers;
Establish and implement human resource development programmes and reintegration programmes for
migrant workers in their countries of origin;
Take concrete measures to prevent or curb the smuggling and trafficking in persons by, among others,
introducing stiffer penalties for those who are involved in these activities;
Facilitate data-sharing on matters related to migrant workers, for the purpose of enhancing policies and
programmes concerning migrant workers in both sending and receiving states;
Promote capacity building by sharing of information, best practices as well as opportunities and challenges
encountered by ASEAN Member Countries in relation to protection and promotion of migrant workers’
rights and welfare;
Extend assistance to migrant workers of ASEAN Member Countries who are caught in conflict or crisis
situations outside ASEAN in the event of need and based on the capacities and resources of the
Embassies and Consular Offices of the relevant ASEAN Member Countries, based on bilateral
consultations and arrangements;
Encourage international organisations, ASEAN dialogue partners and other countries to respect the
principles and extend support and assistance to the implementation of the measures contained in this
Declaration; and
Task the relevant ASEAN bodies to follow up on the Declaration and to develop an ASEAN instrument on
the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers, consistent with ASEAN’s vision of a
caring and sharing Community, and direct the Secretary-General of ASEAN to submit annually a report
on the progress of the implementation of the Declaration to the Summit through the ASEAN Ministerial
Meeting.
DONE at Cebu, Philippines, this Thirteenth Day of January in the Year Two Thousand and Seven, in a single
original copy in the English Language.
For Brunei Darussalam:
HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam
For the Kingdom of Cambodia:
SAMDECH HUN SEN

Prime Minister
For the Republic of Indonesia:
DR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO

President
For the Lao People’s Democratic Republic:
BOUASONE BOUPHAVANH
Prime Minister
For Malaysia:
DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI

Prime Minister
For the Union of Myanmar:
GENERAL SOE WIN

Prime Minister
For the Republic of the Philippines:
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President
For the Republic of Singapore:
LEE HSIEN LOONG

Prime Minister
For the Kingdom of Thailand:
GENERAL SURAYUD CHULANONT (RET.)

Prime Minister
For the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam:
NGUYEN TAN DUNG

Prime Minister
Reference:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2016, August 01). Philippines Policy Repository on Migrant
Workers’ Legislation and Practices of ASEAN Member States. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://asean.org/philippines-policy-repository-on-migrant-workers-legislation-and-practices-of-
asean-member-states/
Philippines Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and

Practices of ASEAN Member States
1. Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land based
Overseas Filipino Workers (2016)
2. Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Seafarers (2016)
3. Memorandum Circular No. 13: Guidelines on the Recruitment and Deployment of Filipino Workers
to Spain
4. Memorandum Circular No. 13: Guidelines on the Deployment of Filipino Caregivers to Israel
5. Batas Pambansa Bilang 185: An Act to Implement Section Fifteen of Article XIV of the Constitution
and for other Purposes
6. Executive Order No. 857: Governing and Remittance to the Philippines of Foreign Exchange
Earnings of Filipino Workers Abroad
7. Executive Order No. 935: Amending Section 5(A) of Executive Order No. 857
8. Executive Order No. 203: Establishing an Inter-Agency Committee on the Shaped Government
Information System for Migration
9. Executive Order No. 582: Streamlining the Process of Authenticating Documents Intended for Use
Abroad and Transferring the Authentication Office from the Office of the President to the
Department of Foreign Affairs
10. Presidential Decree No. 1183: Amending and Consolidating the Provisions on Travel Tax of
Republic Act No. 1478 as Amended and Republic Act No. 6141, Prescribing the Manner of
Collection Thereof, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for other Purposes
11. Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9225)
12. Letter of Instructions No. 527
13. Memorandum Circular No. 12: Prequalification of Foreign Placement Agencies Hiring Filipino
Household Service Workers (HSW)
14. Memorandum Circular No. 42: Sample Employment Contract for Various Skills
15. National Statement Philippines National Consultation on the Declaration on the Protection and
Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers
16. Recruitment for Overseas Work Law
17. Foreign Investments Act of 1991
18. Executive Order No. 252: Establishing the inter-agency committee on Philippine schools overseas,
defining its composition, structure, and functions
19. Executive Order No. 182: Transferring the Medicare funds and the Medicare functions of the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation,
amending for the purpose Executive Order No. 195 dated August 13, 1994
20. POEA Advisory 12, Series of 2007, Implementation of the UAE Employment Agreement for
Domestic Workers and Sponsors
21. Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Swiss Confederation
22. Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and Japan for an Economic Partnership
23. Administrative Arrangement for the Implementation of the Agreement on Social Security between
the Republic of the Philippines and the Swiss Confederation of September 17, 2001
24. POEA Advisory 3, Series of 2003, on the Philippine Seafarers One-Stop Processing Center (PSOC)
25. Administrative Order No. 56: Creating the Philippine Seafarer’s One Stop Processing Center
26. Memorandum Circular No. 11 Series of 2006 Transition Period to Implement the Governing Board
Resolution Affecting Household Service Workers (HSWs), Low/Semi-skilled Female Workers and
Applicants for New Licence using HSWs as their New Market
27. Republic Act 7610 An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination, Providing Penalties for Its Violation, and for Other
Purposes, 17 June 1992
28. Republic Act 8552 An Act Establishing the Rules and Policies on the Domestic Adoption of Filipino
Children and for Other Purposes, 25 February 2998
29. Republic Act 8043 An Act Establishing the Rules to Govern Intercountry Adoption of Filipino
Children, and for Other Purposes, 7 June 1995
30. Republic Act No. 10801 An Act Governing the Operations and Administration of the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration
Reference:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2019, February 14). ASEAN intensifies campaign efforts
for migrant workers’ rights. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from https://asean.org/asean-
intensifies-campaign-efforts-migrant-workers-rights/?highlight=migrant%20worker
ASEAN intensifies campaign efforts for migrant workers’ rights

CHIANG RAI, 14 February 2019 - ASEAN Senior labour officials gathered for the 12th Meeting
of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and
Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW) on 12-14 February 2019 in Chiang Rai,
Thailand.
To keep the momentum going since the adoption last year of the Action Plan to Implement the
ASEAN Consensus, the committee reviewed its work plan and noted results and progress of its
completed and ongoing projects. These include the ASEAN safe migration campaign, study on
portability of social security for migrant workers, repository of legislations and policies on
migrant workers, migrant worker rights-based employment contracts, reintegration programme
for returned migrant workers, capacity building of labour officials on trafficking in persons, and
labour market information systems on mobility of workers.
The committee discussed its medium-term priorities until 2020 highlighting the areas of
governing mechanisms of labour mobility, social protection of migrant workers, protection and
promotion of the rights of migrant workers, and labour dimension of trafficking in persons. Post-
2020 priorities focusing on the implementation of the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and
Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers were deliberated including the conduct of self-
assessment of implementation of ASEAN Consensus that will be conducted by ASEAN Member
States this year.
Recognising the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation and cross-sectoral collaboration,

the ACMW continues to cooperate with other ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, ASEAN Dialogue Partners
and international development agencies related to migrant workers, such as International Labour
Organization and International Organization for Migration.
The next ACMW Meeting will be held in 2020 in Vietnam.
***
February 14th, 2019|ASEAN Secretariat News
Reference:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2016, May 08). Cambodia Policy Repository on Migrant
Workers’ Legislation and Practices of ASEAN Member States. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://asean.org/cambodia-policy-repository-migrant-workers-legislation-practices-
Cambodia Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and Practices

of ASEAN Member States
1. Policy on Labour Migration for Cambodia (December 2014)
2. National Employment Policy 2015-2025 of the Royal Government of Cambodia
3. Cambodian National Consultation on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant
Workers
4. Sub-Decree on sending Khmer Labor to Work Abroad
5. Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
6. Agreement (Inter-ministerial) on Guidelines for Practices and Cooperation Between the
Relevant Government Institutions and Victim Support Agencies in Cases of Human
Trafficking
7. Agreement (Inter-ministerial) on Guidelines for Practices and Cooperation Between the
Relevant Government Institutions and Victim Support Agencies in Cases of Human
Trafficking, Part 1
8. Labor Law of Cambodia
9. Strategic Information Response Network Human Trafficking Data Sheet
10. Contract on Sending of Cambodian Workers to Thailand and Malaysia
11. Prakas (Ministerial Regulation) on Education of HIV/AIDS, Safe Migration and Labor Rights
for Cambodian Migrant Workers Abroad
12. Sub decree on provision of normal passport to migrant workers going for employment
abroad through legal channel
13. Sub-Decree on the establishment of Manpower Training and Overseas Sending Board
14. Prakas on the use of alien worker
15. Prakas on the creation of a labour migration taskforce
16. Policy on Labour Migration for Cambodia
17. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and
the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Bilateral Cooperation for Eliminating
Trafficking in Children and Women and Assisting Victims of Trafficking
the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Cooperation in the Employment of Workers
the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand on Bilateral Cooperation for Eliminating
Trafficking in Children and Women and Assisting Victims of Trafficking
20. Decision on the establishment of Inter-Ministerial Working Group to Identify Cambodian
workers working illegally in Thailand
21. Agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Bilateral Cooperation for Eliminating Trafficking in
Women and Children and Assisting Victims of Trafficking
22. Agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Bilateral Cooperation for Eliminating Trafficking in
Women and Children and Assisting Victims of Trafficking
23. Memorandum of Understanding on the Sending of Workers to the Republic of Korea under
the Employment Permit System
24. Memorandum of Understanding on the Field of Exchange of Manpower Memorandum of
Understanding on Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons in the Greater Mekong Sub-
Region
Reference:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (2016, August 03). Singapore Policy Repository on
Migrant Workers’ Legislation and Practices of ASEAN Member States. Retrieved July 18, 2019
from https://asean.org/singapore-policy-repository-on-migrant-workers-legislation-and-
practices-of-asean-member-states/
Singapore Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and Practices

1. Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations – Conditions of Work Pass
2. Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A)
3. Immigration Act (Cap 133)
4. Employment Agencies Act (Cap 92) Employment Agencies Rule 2011
5. Guide for employers of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) providing information in the
management of FDWs.
6. Employment Act
7. Trade Unions Act (Cap 333) and Trade Unions Regulations
8. Employment (Children and Young persons) Regulations
9. Work Injury Compensation Act
10. Workplace Safety and Health Act
11. CaseTrust Accreditation Scheme
12. Employment Agencies Act
13. Your Guide to Employing a Foreign Domestic Worker
14. Feedback on Employment Agency
15. Information on Well-being of Foreign Domestic Worker
16. Work Permit Application for a Foreign Domestic Worker
17. Standard Employment Contract Between Foreign Domestic Worker and Employer
18. Standard Service Agreement Between Foreign Domestic Worker Employer and
Employment Agency
19. Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Chapter 91A)
20. Employment Act (Chapter 91)
21. National Statement Singapore National Consultation on the ASEAN Declaration on the
Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers
22. Trade Unions Act
23. Foreign Worker Security Bond Form
24. Work Permit Application Form FDM Sponsorship
25. Work Permit Application Form for a Foreign Worker
26. Work Permit FDM under Joint Income Scheme
27. Employment (Children and Young persons) Regulations
28. Employment (Composition of Offences) Regulations 2009
29. Employment (Female Workmen) Regulations
30. Employment (Notes of Evidence – Fees) Regulations
31. Employment (Part – Time Employees) Regulations
32. Employment (Prescribed Form) Regulations
33. Employment (Procedure – Reciprocal Provision) Regulations
34. Employment (Register of Employees) Regulations
35. Employment Agencies (Composition of Offences) Rules
36. Employment Agency Rules
37. Employment of Foreign Manpower (Bail and Personal Bond) Regulations
38. Employment of Foreign Manpower (Levy) Order
39. Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations
Reference:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (n.d.). Indonesia Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’
Legislation and Practices of ASEAN Member States. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://asean.org/indonesia-policy-repository-migrant-workers-legislation-practices-
Indonesia Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and Practices

1. Law of The Republic of Indonesia No. 18 of 2017 on Protection of Indonesian Migrant

Workers
2. “Memorandum of Misunderstanding” Policy Brief on Bilateral Labor Agreement of
Indonesia.
3. ASEAN Civil Society Organizations-Trade Unions Consultation on Protection and
Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
4. Act of the Republic of Indonesia Number 13 Year 2003 Concerning Manpower.
5. Act of the Republic of Indonesia Number 39 Year 2004 Concerning Placement and
Protection of Indonesian Overseas Worker.
6. Law No. 9 Tahun 1992 Tentang Keimigrasian; Diganti dengan Undang-Undang No. 6
Tahun 2011 on Immigrations.
7. Act of the Republic of Indonesia Number 39 Year 2004 Concerning Placement and
Protection of Indonesian Overseas Worker.
8. Law No. 29 of 1999 on Ratification of International Convention On the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination 1965.
9. Law on Ratification of ILO Convention No. 81 Concerning Manpower Inspection in
Industry and Commerce.
10. Government Regulation No. 32 of 1994 on Visa, Entry Permit and Immigration Permit.
11. Government Regulation No. 57 of 1996 on Amendment of Government Regulation No. 46
of 1994 on Individual Income Tax Payment for Indonesian Citizen Going Abroad.
12. Government Regulation No. 42 of 2000 on Income Tax Payment of Person Who Will Be
Leaving For Overseas.
13. Government Regulation of The Republic of Indonesia On Tariff of Non Tax State Revenue
Enacted in Manpower and Transmigration Department.
of 2000 on Income Tax Payment of Person Who Will Be Leaving for Overseas.
of 1994 on Visa, Entry Permit and Immigration Permit.
16. Government Regulation No. 31 of 2006 on National Workforce Training System.
17. Regulation of Manpower and Transmigration Minister of The Republic of Indonesia
Number Per. 22/MEN/XII/2008 On Implementation of Placement and Protection of
Indonesian Migrant Workers In Foreign Country *to be replaced by a revised version.
18. Regulation of Manpower and Transmigration Minister of The Republic of Indonesia
Number PER. 23/MEN/XII/2008 On Insurance of Indonesian Migrant Workers *to be
replaced by a revised version.
19. Decree of The President of The Republic of Indonesia on Policy of Granting Overseas Fiscal
Document.
20. Decree of The President of The Republic of Indonesia No. 29 of 1999 on Coordinating
Agency of Indonesian Migrant Workers Placement.
21. Decree of The President of The Republic of Indonesia No. 46 of 2000 on Amendment of
Presidential Decree No. 29 of 1999 on Coordinating Agency of Indonesian Migrant Worker
Placement.
22. Decree of The President of The Republic of Indonesia No. 36 of 2002 on Ratification of ILO
Convention No. 88 concerning Organization of the Employment Service. (ILO Convention
No. 88 On Worker Placement Service Institution).
23. Presidential Instruction No. 6 of 2006 on Reformation Policies of Indonesian Migrant
Worker Placement and Protection (ILO Convention No. 88 On Worker Placement Service
Institution).
24. Presidential Regulation No. 81 of 2006 on National Agency on Indonesian Migrant Worker
Placement and Protection.
25. Manpower Minister Decision No. KEP-204/MEN/1999 of 1999 on Indonesian Migrant
Worker Overseas Placement.
26. Manpower Minister Decision No. KEP–148/MEN/2001 of 2001 on The Use and
Development of Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Expertise and Skill.
27. Manpower Minister Decision No. KEP–104A/MEN/2002 of 2002 on Indonesian Migrant
Worker Overseas Placement.
28. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Decision No. PER–04/MEN/II/2005 Concerning
Stipulation on Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Final Briefing.
29. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Regulation No. PER-05/MEN/III/2005 on
Stipulation of Administrative Sanctions and Procedure for Passing Sanction in
Implementation of Indonesian Worker’s Placement and Protection in Foreign Country.
30. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Regulation No. PER-07/MEN/IV/2005 on
Standards for Indonesian Migrant Worker Candidate Collection/Recruitment Center.
31. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Regulation NO. PER-19/MEN/V/2005 On Work
Plan for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Worker, Facility and
Infrastructure for Indonesian Migrant Worker Services.
32. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Regulation No. PER-22/MEN/XI/2006 on
Second Amendment of Manpower and Transmigration Minister Decree No. KEP-
226/MEN/ 2003 on Procedure for Licensing of Apprenticeship Program Implementation
in Foreign Country.
33. Indonesian Migrant Worker Insurance.
34. Work plan of Indonesian Migrant Worker placement and protection, facility and
infrastructure for worker placement services.
35. Procedure for Payment, Use, Withdrawal and Return of Security Money Deposit.
36. Procedure for setting up executive branch office of private Indonesian Migrant Worker
placement.
37. Procedure for Setting up Granting, Extending and Revoking of Permit for Implementation
of Indonesian Worker Placement.
38. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Regulation No. PER-18/MEN/XI/2007 on
Implementation of Indonesian Worker Placement in Foreign Country.
39. Insurance of Indonesian Migrant Worker.
40. Stipulation of Facility for Medical Examination of Indonesian Migrant Worker Who Will
Work.
41. The Cost of Placement and Protection For Indonesian Migrant Worker Candidate With
Country Destination of The Republic of Korea.
42. Regulation of Minister of Law and Human Rights of The Republic Of Indonesia No. M.02-
IZ.01.10 Of 1995 Concerning Visa of Arrival, Visa of Visit In Foreign Country, Visa of
Limited Stay, Entry Permit, And Immigration Permit.
43. Regulation of Minister of Law and Human Rights of the Republic Of Indonesia No. M.80-
HL.04.01Of 2007 on Procedure of Registration, Recording and Granting Immigration
Facility For Indonesian Citizen with Double Citizenship.
44. Placement of Indonesian Worker.
45. Regulation of Manpower and Transmigration Minister No. PER – 08/MEN/V/2008 On
Procedure of Licensing and Arrangement of Apprenticeship in Foreign Country.
46. Implementation of Preparation for Indonesian Migrant Worker Candidate To Work
Overseas.
47. Regulation of Head of National Agency For Placement and Protection of Indonesian
Migrant Worker No. PER.01/KA/SU/I/2008 On Services of The Return of Indonesian
Migrant Worker From Overseas Within The Environment of Soekarno – Hatta Airport.
48. Regulation of Head of National Agency For Placement and Protection of Indonesian
Migrant Worker No. PER.28/KA-BNP2TKI/VII/2007 On Overseas Job Market.
49. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Manpower and
Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Labor of the Republic of
Korea on the Sending of Indonesian Workers to the Republic of Korea under the
Employment Permit System.
50. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of
the State of Qatar Concerning the Regulation of Indonesian Manpower Employment in the
State of Qatar.
51. Memorandum of Understanding Between The Government of The Republic of Indonesia
Represented by Manpower and Transmigration Department and The Government of The
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Represented by Manpower Ministry Concerning Placement
and Protection of Indonesian Domestic Workers.
53. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia
and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Placement of Manpower.
and the Government of the State of Kuwait on Placement of Manpower.
55. Memorandum of Understanding between The National Board for the Placement and
Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers and The Japan International Corporation of
Welfare Services on the Deployment and Acceptance of Indonesian Candidates for
“Kangoshi”, Indonesian Candidates for “Kaigofukushishi”, Indonesian “Kangoshi” and
Indonesian “Kaigofukushishi”.
56. Memorandum of Understanding between the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to
Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Trade Office, Jakarta, Indonesia on the Recruitment
and Placement of Manpower.
57. Law No. 21 of 2000 on Indonesian Worker/Labor Union.
58. Law No. 21 of 2007 on Crime of Human Trafficking.
59. Regulation of Manpower and Transmigration Minister No. PER – 22/MEN/XII/2008 On
Implementation of Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Worker In Foreign
Country.
60. Regulation of Manpower and Transmigration Minister No. PER – 23/MEN/XII/2008 On
Insurance of Indonesian Migrant Worker.
State of Qatar.
State of Qatar.
and the Government of the United Arab Emirates in the Field of Manpower.
67. Law No. 21 of 1999 on the Ratification of Convention No. 111 of the ILO Concerning
Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation.
68. Manpower and Transmigration Minister Decision No. KEP-14/MEN/I/2005 on
Prevention Team for Non-Procedural Indonesian Migrant Worker Departure and Services
for Indonesian Migrant Worker Return.
69. Joint Decision of On Team of Advocacy, Defense and Protection of Indonesian Migrant
Worker in Foreign Country.
70. Law No. 21 of 1999 on the Ratification of Convention No. 111 of the ILO Concerning
Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation.
71. Decision of General Director of Migrant Worker Placement Monitoring/Supervision No.
KEP. 565/BP/1997 On Technical Guidance of Management of Indonesian Migrant Worker
Collection Centre.
72. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Manpower and
Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia and the Department of Labor and
Employment of the Republic of the Philippines Concerning Migrant Workers
Philippine Executive & Legislative Issuances
P. B. No. 1705 / 78 OG No. 48, 6638 (November 19, 1982)
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 185

AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT SECTION FIFTEEN OF ARTICLE XIV OF THE CONSTITUTION AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the Batasang Pambansa in session assembled:
SECTION 1. In implementation of Section fifteen of Article XIV of the Constitution, a

natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee
of private land, for use by him as his residence, subject to the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 2. Any natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship
and who has the legal capacity to enter into a contract under Philippine laws may be a transferee
of a private land up to a maximum area of one thousand square meters, in the case of urban land,
or one hectare in the case of rural land, to be used by him as his residence. In the case of married
couples, one of them may avail of the privilege herein granted: Provided, That if both shall avail of
the same, the total area acquired shall not exceed the maximum herein fixed.
In case the transferee already owns urban or rural lands for residential purposes, he shall
still be entitled to be a transferee of additional urban or rural lands for residential purposes
which, when added to those already owned by him shall not exceed the maximum areas herein
authorized.
SEC. 3. A transferee under this Act may acquire not more than two lots which should be
situated in different municipalities or cities anywhere in the Philippines: Provided, That the total
area thereof shall not exceed one thousand square meters in the case of urban lands or one
hectare in the case of rural lands for use by him as his residence. A transferee who has already
acquired urban land shall be disqualified from acquiring rural land, and vice versa.
SEC. 4. As used in this Act—
(a) A natural-born citizen is one who is a citizen of the Philippines from birth without having to
perform any act to acquire or perfect his Philippine citizenship.
(b) Urban areas shall include:
(1) In their entirety, all municipal jurisdictions which, whether designated as chartered
cities, provincial capitals or not, have a population density of at least 1,000 persons per
square kilometer;
(2) Poblaciones or central districts of municipalities and cities which have a population
density of at least 500 persons per square kilometer;
(3) Poblaciones or central districts (not included in 1 and 2) regardless of population size
which have the following:
a. Street pattern, i.e., network of streets in either at parallel or right angle

orientation;
b. At least six establishments (commercial, manufacturing, recreational and/or
personal services); and
c. At least three of the following:
1. A town hall, church or chapel with religious services at least once a month;
2. A public plaza, park or cemetery;
3. A market place or building where trading activities are carried on at least once
a week; and
4. A public building like a school, hospital, pueri-culture and health center or

library.
(4) Barangays having at least 1,000 inhabitants which meet the conditions set forth in
subparagraph (3) of paragraph (b) above, and in which the occupation of the inhabitants
is predominantly other than farming or fishing.
(c) All other areas of the Philippines which do not meet the conditions in the preceding definition
of urban areas shall be considered as rural areas.
SEC. 5. Transfer as a mode of acquisition of private land under this Act refers to either
voluntary or involuntary sale, devise or donation. Involuntary sales shall include sales on tax
delinquency, foreclosures and executions of judgment.
SEC. 6. In addition to the requirements provided for in other laws for the registration of
titles to lands, no private land shall be transferred under this Act, unless the transferee shall
submit to the register of deeds of the province or city where the property is located a sworn
statement showing the date and place of his birth; the names and addresses of his parents, of his
spouse and children, if any; the area, the location and the mode of acquisition of his landholdings
in the Philippines, if any; his intention to reside permanently in the Philippines
SEC. 7. The transferee shall not use the lands acquired under this Act for any purpose
other than for his residence. Violations of this Section, any misrepresentation in the sworn
statement required under Section 6 hereof, any acquisition through fraudulent means or failure
to reside permanently in the land acquired within two years from the acquisition thereof, except
when such failure is caused by force majeure, shall, in addition to any liability under the Revised
Penal Code and deportation in appropriate cases, be penalized by forfeiture of such lands and
their improvements to the National Government. For this purpose, the Solicitor General or his
representative shall institute escheat proceedings.
Any transferee liable under this Section shall moreover be forever barred from further
availing of the privilege granted under this Act.
SEC. 8. The Minister of Justice shall issue such rub and regulations as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen days
following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
SEC. 9. If any part of this Act shall be declared unconsti-tutional, the remaining provisions
not thereby affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 10. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved, March 16, 1982.

Source: BP 185. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from http://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/25/14791
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 857 s. 1982
GOVERNING THE REMITTANCE TO THE PHILIPPINES OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS
OF FILIPINO WORKERS ABROAD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, existing laws and regulations governing remittances of foreign exchange earnings of
overseas Filipino workers to their families, dependents and/or beneficiaries have not been fully
effective in ensuring that they are coursed through official financial institutions of the Philippine
Government of their authorized agents;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to protect the welfare of families, dependents and beneficiaries of

Filipino workers abroad and to ensure that the foreign exchange earnings of these workers are
remitted through authorized financial institutions of the Philippine Government in line with the
country’s economic development program;
WHEREAS, non-compliance with these aforesaid laws and regulations and recourse to the use of
unauthorized and unofficial financing institutions has led to the detriment of the country’s
balance of payments and economic development program;
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the mandatory remittance requirement be fully complied with by
all concerned through the institution of appropriate remittance facilities and the imposition of
effective sanctions;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the

powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and promulgate:
SECTION 1. It shall be mandatory for every Filipino contract worker abroad to remit regularly a
portion of his foreign exchange earnings to his beneficiary in the Philippines through the
Philippine banking system. Licensed agencies and other entities authorized by the Ministry of
Labor and Employment to recruit Filipino workers for overseas employment are similarly
required to remit their workers’ earnings as provided for in this Order.
SECTION 2. All contracts of employment and agency or service agreements submitted to the
Ministry of Labor and Employment shall contain a proviso that shall make it mandatory for
workers to remit to the Philippines in foreign exchange at least the following portions of their
earnings:
a) Seamen or mariners: Seventy (70) percent of basic salary;
b) Workers of Filipino contractors and construction companies: Seventy (70) percent of

basic salary;
c) Doctors, engineers, teachers, nurses and other professional workers whose contract
provide for free board and lodging: Seventy (70) percent of basic salary;
d) All other professional workers whose employment contracts do not provide for free
board and lodging facilities: Fifty (50) percent of basic salary;
e) Domestic and other service workers: Fifty (50) percent of basic salary;
f) All other workers not falling under the aforementioned categories: Fifty (50) percent of
basic salary.
SECTION 3. Passports issued to Filipino contract workers shall have an initial period of validity
of one year provided that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may adjust, as circumstances may
require, the initial passport validity period. The passport shall be renewable every year upon
submission of usual requirements and presentation of documentary proof of compliance to the
remittance requirement in the percentages provided for in this Order. The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs shall not extend or renew the passport of any contract worker unless proof of his
compliance with the mandatory remittance requirement is submitted.
SECTION 4. The Ministry of Labor and Employment shall not approve the renewal of employment
contracts and agency or service agreements unless proof of remittance of foreign exchange
earnings is submitted.
SECTION 5. For purposes of this Order, proof of compliance with the mandatory remittance
requirement as mentioned in Section 1 hereof, may consist of any of the following documents or
such alternative as may be approved by the Central Bank of the Philippines showing that the
contract worker had in fact effected aforesaid remittance and had caused the surrender of the
same for pesos through the Philippine banking system:
a. Confirmed bank (foreign) remittance form;
b. Certification from employer, duly authenticated, that remittance has been effected;
c. Certification as to the surrender for pesos to the Philippine banking system; and
d. Receipt of International Postal Money Order.
SECTION 6. Remittances of foreign exchange earnings may be undertaken individually by the

contract worker or collectively through the employer under a payroll deduction scheme, in
accordance with Central Bank regulations and applicable guidelines.
SECTION 7. As a prerequisite for accreditation by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, an

employer shall commit to provide facilities to effect the remittances and monitoring of foreign
exchange earnings of Filipino workers in his employ.
SECTION 8. The Central Bank of the Philippines shall cause necessary arrangements to be made
with the appropriate financing institutions to handle the remittances called for in this Order. In
the absence of appropriate banking facilities, the Embassy or Consulate nearest to the job site, in
accordance with local laws and regulations, may act in the interim as the channel for remittance
of foreign exchange earnings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall immediately inform the Central
Bank of the Philippines these arrangements and shall remit all funds thereto.
SECTION 9. Contract workers who fail to comply with the requirements of this Order shall be
suspended or excluded from the list of eligible workers for overseas employment. In cases of
subsequent violations, he shall be repatriated from the job site at the expense of the employer or
at his expense, as the case may be.
Filipino or foreign employers and/or their representatives who fail to comply with the
requirements under this Order shall be excluded from the overseas employment program. In the
case of local private employment agencies and entities, failure to comply with the provisions
hereof shall be a ground for cancellation of their license or authority to recruit workers for
overseas employment, without prejudice to their liabilities under existing laws and regulations.
SECTION 10. The Ministries of Labor and Employment and Foreign Affairs and the Central Bank
of the Philippines shall draw up the necessary rules and procedures for the proper
implementation of this Order within ten (10) days from the signing hereof.
SECTION 11. All provisions of existing orders, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 12. This Order shall take effect thirty (30) days after the promulgation of implementing
rules and procedures.
Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of December, in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred
and Eighty Two.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) JUAN C. TUVERA

Presidential Executive Assistant
Source: Malacañang Records Office
Office of the President of the Philippines. (1982). [Executive Order Nos.: 781 – 857]. Manila:
Malacañang Records Office. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1982/12/13/executive-order-no-857-s-1982/
AMENDING SECTION 5(A) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 857 ENTITLED “GOVERNING THE
REMITTANCE TO THE PHILIPPINES OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS OF FILIPINO
WORKERS ABROAD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”
WHEREAS, Filipino overseas contract workers are mandated by existing law to remit to the
Philippines seventy percent (70%) of their foreign exchange earnings;
WHEREAS, to ensure that the foreign exchange earnings of these workers are remitted through
authorized financial institutions of the Philippine Government, Section 5(a) of Executive Order
No. 857 requires contract workers to submit a confirmed Bank (foreign) remittance form;
otherwise, these workers shall be suspended or excluded from the list of eligible workers for
overseas employment;
WHEREAS, contract workers while complying with the requirement of submitting a confirmed
bank (foreign) remittance form, have been able to evade the actual remittance to the Philippines
of their foreign exchange earnings, thru fraudulent and ingenious means, to the detriment of the
country’s economic development program;
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the mandatory remittance requirement be fully complied with;

powers vested in me by the Constitution and by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. Section 5(a) of Executive Order 857 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 5. For purposes of this Executive Order, proof of compliance with the
mandatory remittance requirement as mentioned in Section 1 hereof, may consist
of any of the following documents or such alternatives as may be approved by the
Central Bank of the Philippines showing that the contract worker had in fact
effected aforesaid remittance and had caused the surrender of the same for pesos
through the Philippine banking system:
“a. Bank receipt evidencing the actual conversion of their foreign exchange
earnings into pesos in the Philippines;”
SEC. 2. All Executive Orders and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or
inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby deemed amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.
SEC. 3. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 28th day of February, in the year of Our Lord nineteen hundred
and eighty-four.

By the President:

Presidential Executive Assistant
Office of the President of the Philippines. (1984). [Executive Order Nos.: 928-1029]. Manila:
ESTABLISHING AN INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE ON THE SHARED GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MIGRATION
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to uphold the dignity of its citizens, whether in the country
or overseas;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to protect the interests of labor in general, as well as that of
overseas migrant workers in particular, whether documented or irregular;
WHEREAS, the State recognizes not only the important contribution of overseas migrant workers
to the country, but also the vulnerable situations they are often placed in;
WHEREAS, in order for the government agencies to fully, swiftly and in unity address general and
specific concerns of migrant workers and overseas Filipinos, there is a need for government
agencies to have access to related information;
WHEREAS, Republic Act 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos
Act of 1995” provides for the establishment of a Shared Government Information System for
Migration
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. Establishment of the Inter-Agency Committee on the Shared Government Information

System for Migration. The Inter-Agency Committee on the Shared Government Information
System for Migration (IAC-SGISM) is hereby established.
Sec. 2. Composition of the IAC-SGISM. Said Inter-Agency Committee shall be composed of the
following agencies:
a) Department of Foreign Affairs, as Chairman;
b) Department of Labor and Employment, as Vice-chairman;
c) Department of Justice;
d) Department of Tourism;
e) Bureau of Immigration;
f) Commission on Filipinos Overseas;
g) National Bureau of Investigation;
h) National Statistics Office;
i) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; and
j) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
Sec. 3. Support Agencies. The IAC-SGISM may seek the assistance and support of the Department
of Social Welfare and Development, National Computer Center, National Labor Relations
Commission, National Statistical Coordination Board, Philippine National Police (PNP), Office of
the Presidential Adviser for OFW Affairs, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in the
implementation of its mandate.
A Technical Committee shall be created from among the IAC and the support agencies in the
development and implementation of the SGISM.
Sec. 4. Information Sharing. The Inter-Agency Committee shall initially tap the information
contained in existing database/files. The second phase shall involve the linkaging of computer
facilities in order to allow free-flow data exchanges and sharing among the agencies concerned.
Sec. 5. Security and Confidentiality of Data/Information. — Information and data acquired

through this shared information system shall be treated as confidential and shall only be used for
lawful and official purposes, in connection with the usual functions of the member agencies, and
for purposes envisioned by R.A. 8042.
Accordingly, access and use of the said data/information shall be limited to the heads of agencies,
their deputies/assistants, and officers who are directly responsible in implementing the agency’s
participation in the IAC-SGISM.
Access of other staff to selected data/information will be on a need-to-know basis and will require
the appropriate security clearance from the head of agency.
Member-agencies of the IAC and the support agencies will formulate the necessary guidelines
that will define the levels of access and security guidelines for this purpose.
The IAC and the Support Agencies will work towards the promotion of transparency on the
matter of sharing data not only among themselves, but with the public, and ultimately declassify
data with a view of promoting public participation in policy making and program development.
Sec. 6. Sharing of Databases. The Inter-Agency Committee and the Support Agencies shall convene
to identify existing databases which shall be declassified and shared only by and among member
agencies. These shared databases shall include, but not limited to the following:
a) Masterlists of Filipino migrant workers/Filipino emigrants/Filipino fiancees/spouses

of foreign nationals and other categories of Filipino nationals overseas classified
according to occupation/job category, age, sex, civil status, by country/state of
destination, including visa classification;
b) Inventory of pending legal cases involving Filipino migrant workers and other Filipino
nationals, including those serving prison terms;
c) Masterlists by age and sex of departing/arriving Filipinos;
d) Statistical profile on Filipino migrant workers/Filipino emigrants/Filipino

fiancees/spouses of foreign nationals/Filipino tourists and other agencies of Filipino
nationals overseas;
e) Blacklisted foreigners/undesirable aliens, including, but not limited to serial/multiple

sponsors of Filipino fiancees/spouses, and those involved in reported cases of domestic
violence and other offenses against Filipino nationals or violations of the laws of the
Philippines;
f) Data on legal systems, immigration policies, marriage laws and civil and criminal codes
in destination countries, particularly those with large numbers of Filipinos;
g) List of labor and other human rights instruments where destination countries are
signatories;
h) A tracking system of past and present gender disaggregated cases involving migrant
workers;
i) List of overseas posts which may render assistance to overseas Filipinos, in general, and
migrant workers, in particular;
j) List of accredited recruiters and recruitment agencies;
k) List of accredited foreign employers;
l) List of recruiter and recruitment agencies with decided/pending

criminal/civil/administrative cases, and their dispositions;
m) Status of complaints for money claims and other legal cases filed by Filipino migrants
before appropriate courts and adjudication bodies in the country;
n) Established protocols or guidelines governing enforcement of laws, handling and

adjudication of cases, and other procedures relevant to the various processes involved in
the different stages of the migration process;
o) List of children issued travel clearance, children for adoption abroad and children for
repatriation/repatriated, list of women and children trafficked;
p) Compilation of recent economic/political conditions or situationers in countries where

there are Filipino migrant workers;
q) Treaties which may directly or indirectly affect Filipino migrant workers; and
r) Other information which may be established as essential for data sharing by the IAC
and the Support Agencies.
The sharing of the above-enumerated database and other information shall be governed
by the guidelines to be established by the IAC and Support Agencies.
Sec. 7. Reporting. The Inter-Agency Committee and the Support Agencies shall submit
appropriate reports and recommendations to the President. It shall also provide relevant and
factual information as basis for the joint report to Congress by the DFA and DOLE.
Sec. 8. Secretariat. A secretariat, which shall provide administrative and support services to the
Inter-Agency Committee, shall be provided for by the DFA.
Sec. 9. Funding. The amount of Ten Million Pesos (P20M) from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
Office is hereby allocated to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order. Thereafter, the actual
budget of the Inter-Agency Committee shall be drawn from the General Appropriations Act in
accordance with Section 38 of R.A. 8042.
Sec. 10. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 20th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand.
(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

By the President:
(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA

Executive Secretary
Source: Presidential Management Staff
Presidential Management Staff. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
ESTABLISHING THE INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE ON PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS OVERSEAS,
DEFINING ITS COMPOSITION, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTIONS
WHEREAS, the State recognizes the increasing movement of peoples across international
borders as a continuing global phenomenon;
WHEREAS, Article XIV, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Philippines provides that the
State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall
take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all;
WHEREAS, the education of Filipino children at overseas locations has become a primary
concern among Filipino migrant workers and other Filipino nationals overseas;
WHEREAS, it is essential to provide expatriate Filipino youth with quality and affordable
education that would contribute to shaping their Filipino identity and character, and facilitate the
integration of children of Filipinos overseas into the Philippine educational system on their return
to the Philippines;
WHEREAS, the establishment, management, and operation of Philippine schools overseas

require policy directions, as well as the coordinated support and assistance from various agencies
of the government;
WHEREAS, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, hereinafter referred to as

DECS, has the primary mandate of formulating, planning, implementing, and coordinating the
policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal education up to the
secondary level, supervising all educational institutions, both public and private, and providing
for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate and integrated system of
education relevant to the goals of national development;
WHEREAS, the Department of Foreign Affairs, hereinafter referred to as DFA, is

mandated in accordance with the Country Team Approach provided for in R.A. 8042, to provide
leadership in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and the promotion of their welfare, in
particular, and the protection of the dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms of Filipino
citizens abroad;
WHEREAS, the Department of Labor and Employment, hereinafter referred to as DOLE,

is mandated to promote the welfare and interest of Filipino migrant workers, as well as assist in
the facilitation of the employment of Filipino professionals necessary to fulfill government thrusts
on the development and promotion of the welfare of Filipinos overseas and their dependents;
WHEREAS, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, hereinafter referred to as

OWWA, is the agency specifically tasked to protect the interest and promote the well-being of the
overseas Filipino workers, including their dependents;
WHEREAS, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, hereinafter referred to as CFO, is

mandated to serve as a forum for preserving and enhancing the social, economic and cultural ties
of Filipinos overseas with the Philippine motherland, and to develop and implement programs to
promote the interests and well-being of Filipino youth overseas;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me under the Constitution, do hereby order:
Section 1. An Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas to be

established and be composed of the DECS, DFA, DOLE, OWWA, and CFO as members.
The Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas (IAC-PSO) shall be
chaired by DECS, and co-chaired by the DFA. The CFO shall serve as the secretariat of the Inter-
Agency Committee. DOLE and OWWA shall serve as members of the Committee.
The Inter-Agency Committee may call on other agencies of the government to assist in
specific matters concerning Philippine schools or educational / cultural programs overseas.
Sec. 2. The Inter-Agency Committee shall serve as the policy-making body and a forum
for discussion and resolution of issues concerning the establishment, operation, and management
of Philippine schools overseas or such type of schools or educational programs overseas. It shall
review, formulate and adopt or recommend policies and programs to establish and maintain high
standards of educational management, and ensure quality education for Filipino youth overseas
consistent with national policy. Specifically, the Inter-Agency Committee shall undertake the
following:
a. Develop policies and guidelines in connection with the establishment, operation,

management, accreditation and regulation of Philippine schools and educational
programs overseas;
b. Develop a system for classifying institutions overseas that provide Philippine-based
curriculum and instruction;
c. Conduct studies on issues and problem areas affecting the operation of Philippine
schools overseas;
d. Provide inputs to the DECS, in the development of standards and systems for
monitoring and evaluation of Philippine schools overseas;
e. Hold meetings and consultations on a regular basis to ensure the effective and
efficient implementation of policies and programs for Philippine schools overseas;
f. Conduct site visits and ocular inspections of Philippine schools overseas in
furtherance of the objectives of this order; and
g. Serve as arbiter in matters regarding Philippine schools overseas which are brought
to its attention.
Sec. 3. The member agencies of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools

Overseas shall assume further responsibilities as follows:
a. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS):
1) Review and prescribe guidelines to enable Philippine schools overseas to

maintain academic standards, and improve overall efficiency as well as enable
licensing of foreign-owned schools offering Philippine curriculum;
2) Develop a system for classifying institutions overseas that provide Philippine-

based curriculum and instruction;
3) Establish qualification standards in the selection, recruitment, appointment and

promotion of school personnel;
4) Develop guidelines for the supervision of school personnel and administration of

disciplinary standards and procedures;
5) Develop a standard performance appraisal and reporting system on the operation

of Philippine schools overseas; and
6) Provide professional, technical and administrative advice as may be requested by

Philippine schools overseas.
b. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA):
1) Coordinate with the host governments regarding the establishment of Philippine
schools overseas in order to ensure its effective and efficient operation;
2) Disseminate information about the policies and guidelines promulgated by the

IAC-PSO and DECS governing the establishment and operation of Philippine
schools overseas;
3) Accept applications to establish and operate Philippine schools overseas and

endorse the same to DECS through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas for
accreditation and / or recognition;
4) Assist DECS in monitoring and determining the level of compliance by the schools
on the guidelines prescribed by DECS to ensure effective and efficient
management and operation of schools overseas; and
5) Provide advice to various school boards whenever appropriate and necessary to

ensure effective and efficient operation of Philippine schools overseas.
c. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE):
1) Assist the IAC and DECS in disseminating the policies and guidelines on the
establishment and operation of Philippine schools overseas; and
2) Generate interest among Filipino communities abroad in the establishment and

operation of Philippine schools at overseas duty stations and provide assistance
as may be needed in the process of establishment.
d. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA):
1) Provide advice in the conceptualization and implementation of income-

generating community projects / activities to support school operations;
2) Extend or assist in obtaining donations for educational materials / equipment,

including assistance in the procurement and shipment of instructional and
reading materials as may be needed by the schools; and
3) Extend modest loan packages or subsidies for school projects / requirements,

subject to the OWWA Board policies and program thrusts;
4) Assist DOLE and the Philippine Mission in generating interest among overseas
Filipino communities in the establishment and operation of Philippine schools;
and
5) Assist in disseminating information on the policies and guidelines regarding

establishment and operation of Philippine schools overseas.
e. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO):
1) Provide secretariat support to the IAC and keep records of the IAC meetings and
agreements;
2) Assist the IAC in disseminating information on the policies and guidelines on the
establishment, operation, and management of Philippine schools overseas, and
coordinate inter-agency actions in support of this function;
3) Develop researches necessary to review, clarify, and or formulate policies, as may
be necessary, to effect better operation, management and representation of
schools;
4) Provide technical or other advice as may be necessary or as may be requested by

Philippine schools overseas or Philippine communities overseas, pursuant to the
objectives of this Executive Order;
5) Develop and maintain an information system on Philippine schools overseas,

including relevant educational laws and regulations of host countries; and
6) Extend assistance in obtaining donations as may be needed from public or private

sources for educational materials, equipment or school facilities.
Sec. 4. The Inter-Agency Committee shall provide policy guidance, advice and
assistance, and encouragement to Filipino communities overseas for the establishment and
operation of Philippine schools or educational programs overseas, as may be deemed necessary
or desirable.
Sec. 5. All expenditures necessary for the implementation of the programs and activities
of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, including costs of ocular
inspections and honoraria, shall be charged against and provided for in the respective budgets of
the member agencies.
Sec. 6. The departments and agencies identified herein shall formulate the necessary
guidelines, as well as rules and regulations to effectively implement this order.
This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of May, 2000.
(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
By the President:
(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA

Executive Secretary
Source: Presidential Management Staff Library
Presidential Management Staff. Retrieved July 22, 2019 from
TRANSFERRING THE MEDICARE FUNDS AND THE MEDICARE FUNCTIONS OF THE
OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION TO THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH
INSURANCE CORPORATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.
195 DATED AUGUST 13, 1994
WHEREAS, Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the State shall adopt
an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Executive Order No. 195 dated August 13, 1994, Filipinos
recruited for employment abroad are compulsorily covered by a Medical Care Program
(“Medicare”), the funds of which are administered by the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA);
WHEREAS, pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement entered into by and among the

OWWA, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Department of Foreign Affairs,
the Social Security System and the defunct Philippine Medical Care Commission, the OWWA
performs Medicare functions such as the collection of contributions and the disbursement of
funds for benefit payments;
WHEREAS, by virtue of the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 (Republic Act [R.A.] No.
7875), the National Health Insurance Program was established to provide health insurance
coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available and accessible health care services for all
citizens of the Philippines, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) was created
to, among others, administer the National Health Insurance Program;
WHEREAS, Section 6, Article III of R.A. No. 7875 and Section 6, Rule I, Title III of its
Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations provide that all citizens of the Philippines, including
Overseas Filipino Workers and their dependents, shall be covered by the National Health
Insurance Program;
WHEREAS, there is a need to transfer the Medicare funds and the Medicare functions of
the OWWA to the PHIC.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. Coverage. – Pursuant to Section 6, Article III of R.A. No. 7875 and Section 6,
Rule I, Title III of its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, all Overseas Filipino Workers
and their dependents shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Program.
SECTION 2. Transfer of Medicare Funds of the OWWA. – The Medicare Funds being
administered by the OWWA shall be transferred to the PHIC within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Executive Order.
SECTION 3. Transfer of Medicare Functions of the OWWA. – The functions of the OWWA
relative to its Medicare operations are hereby transferred to the PHIC.
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules. – The PHIC, in consultation with the OWWA, shall
promulgate the Implementing Rules for this Executive Order which shall state the mechanics of
the transfer of the Medicare Funds and Medicare functions, and include rules on the absorption
by the PHIC of the personnel of the Medicare operations of the OWWA.
SECTION 5. Repeal. – Executive Order No. 195 dated August 13, 1994 is hereby modified
accordingly. All orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 6. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon
approval.
City of Manila, FEB 14 2003
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
By the President:
(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary
STREAMLINING THE PROCESS OF AUTHENTICATING DOCUMENTS INTENDED FOR USE
ABROAD AND TRANSFERRING THE AUTHENTICATION OFFICE FROM THE OFFICE
OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the government to reduce red tape by streamlining processes and
eliminating duplicative cross-agency activities:
WHEREAS, both the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
and the Authentication Office of the Office of the President (AO-OP) perform similar
authentication functions;
WHEREAS, Chapter 1, Article 5, sub-article (F) of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
and Optional Protocols of which the Philippines is a signatory of this Convention provides that a
given state’s consular office shall act “as notary and civil registrar and in capacities of a similar
kind, and performing certain functions of an administrative nature”;
WHEREAS, Executive Order (EO No. 292 s. 1987) mandates the Department of Foreign Affairs to
serve as the official channel for foreign relations, including official communications to and from
the Republic of the Philippines, and carry out legal documentation functions under pertinent laws
and regulations, among others;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law do hereby order:
Sec. 1. Responsibility for Authentication. The DFA-OCA is hereby mandated to be the agency
solely responsible for authenticating documents certified as authentic by the issuing agency
office.
In this regard, the AO-OP is hereby directed to transfer to the DFA-OCA all equipments, furniture,
materials, pertinent documents and other facilities necessary for the operations of authentication
function.
Sec. 2. Detail of OP Personnel. The AO-OP personnel shall be detailed to the DFA-OCA for a
maximum of six (6) months in order for the DFA-OCA to acquire the necessary competence to
carry out the authentication process according to the service standards set by the one day
authentication process of the AO-OP. After this transition period, personnel detailed from the AO-
OP to the DFA-OCA shall have the option to stay in the DFA-OCA or avail of early retirement
privileges.
Sec. 3. Accrual of Proceeds. Revenues collected or receipts of any kind from the streamlined
authentication process shall be remitted to or deposited intact with the National Treasury. The
DBM shall, however, allocate an appropriate amount, proposed by the DFA-OCA, for the
operations of the office.
Sec. 4. Continuing Research. The DFA, in coordination with concerned government agencies,
shall conduct continuing research for further improvements of the authentication process.
Sec. 5. Rules and Regulations. The DFA Secretary shall issue rules and regulations to implement
this Executive Order.
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. Letter of Instruction (LOI) 1446 s. 1985, and other issuances or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with this order are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.
Sec. 7. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila this 4th day of December in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and
Six.

By the President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary
Office of the President of the Philippines. (2006). [Executive Order Nos.: 501-600]. Manila:
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1183
AMENDING AND CONSOLIDATING THE PROVISIONS ON TRAVEL TAX OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
1478 AS AMENDED AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6141, PRESCRIBING THE MANNER OF
COLLECTION THEREOF, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, it is the policy of Government to lessen the restriction on foreign travel;
WHEREAS, in order to provide adequate funds for the Government programs, simplify the
collection of the tax, and minimize tax avoidance, there is need to impose a Travel Tax in lieu of
the taxes now being imposed under Republic Act No. 1478, as amended and Republic Act No.
6141;

powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree the following:
Section 1. There is hereby imposed, in lieu of the travel taxes levied under Section three of
Republic Act No. 1478, as amended, and Section six of Republic Act No. 6141, a Travel Tax from
all citizens of the Philippines, permanent resident aliens and non-immigrant aliens who have
stayed in the Philippines for a period of not less than one year. There shall be based on the fares
on the trip from the Philippines and the trip returning on going to the Philippines as well as the
fares paid in foreign country in continuation of the trip from the Philippines and the trip returning
or going to the Philippines. The Secretary of Finance within sixty (60) days from the approval
hereof, shall prepare the Schedule of Travel Tax for the approval of the President. The schedule
of Travel Tax may be amended from time to time by the Secretary of Finance which amendment
shall take effect upon approval by the President. The Travel tax under the Schedule shall not
exceed the equivalent of fifteen per cent (15%) of the fare involved but in no case shall the tax be
less than two thousand pesos for those traveling under first class passage; one thousand two
hundred and fifty pesos for those traveling under economy class passage and seven hundred and
fifty pesos for all others; provided, however, That subject to the provisions of Sec. 2 (i) and (k)
hereof, individuals who are twelve years old or below shall pay only fifty per cent of the tax
imposed therein.
Section 2. The following shall be exempt from the payment of the travel tax imposed under
section one of this Decree.
(a) Officials and employees of the Philippine Government or any of its departments, bureaus and
instrumentalities traveling on official business;
(b) Persons whose fares are paid out of Philippine Government funds;
(c) Foreign diplomatic and consular officials and members of their staff who are duly accredited
to the Republic of the Philippines including the immediate member of their families and
household domestics whose entry as such has been authorized by the Philippine Government;
(d) Officials, consultants, experts, and employees of the United Nations Organization and of its
agencies, and those exempted under existing laws, treaties and international agreements;
(e) Personnel of multi-national companies with regional headquarters at, but not engaged in
business in, the Philippines;
(f) Officials and employees of private companies traveling on official business, duly certified as
such by the company under which he is employed and whose fare is paid out of the funds of the
company, if such company had already paid the amount of four thousand pesos or more as travel
tax for the previous travels of said officials or employee during the calendar year;
(g) Crew members of ships and airplanes plying international routes who are leaving the country
to join their vessels or airplanes or to assume their position therein and those being repatriated
upon termination of their employment;
(h) Filipino citizens who are permanent residents of foreign countries who have stayed in the
Philippines for a period of less than one year and whose fares are either paid in the Philippines in
any of the acceptable foreign currencies or payable outside the Philippines;
(i) Bona-fide students whose studies abroad have been approved by the NEDA Scholarship
Committee;
(j) Non-professional contract workers whose employment contracts have been duly approved by
the Department of Labor; their spouses and dependents 21 years of age or below; and
(k) Infants who are two years old or less.
Section 3. Persons traveling on non-revenue tickets shall, unless otherwise exempted herein, pay
the travel tax provided for under section one hereof based on the classification of their non-
revenue tickets, except airline and shipping personnel traveling on official company business;
Provided, however, That for the purposes of exemptions, discounted tickets and tickets with
service fees shall not be considered non-revenue tickets.
Section 4. The Travel Tax shall;
(a) in the case of departing passengers be collected by the carrier and/or travel agency issuing
the ticket, which entity shall remit its collections to the Bureau of the Treasury within the first ten
(10) days of every succeeding month;
(b) in the case of arriving passengers be paid by the passenger himself within thirty (30) days
from the date of arrival, based on fares paid in foreign country.
Section 5. Persons traveling must be able to establish their capacity to pay the overall costs of
the travel when applying for a Tax Clearance.
Section 6. The Secretary of Finance and the Secretary of Tourism shall promulgate rules and
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Decree and for the effective collection of the tax
imposed herein.
Section 7. Any person violating or causing another to violate any provision of this Decree, or of
the Rules and Regulations issued pursuant thereto, or shall make any material misrepresentation
in connection therewith, shall upon conviction by a Court of competent jurisdiction, suffer the
penalty of imprisonment of not less than two years but more than five years, or a fine of not less
than two thousand pesos but not more than ten thousand pesos, or both, at the discretion of the
court. In addition hereto, such violations shall ipso facto constitute a valid ground for the
revocation of all privileges, permits and authorization granted to such person or entity by the
Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, the Department of Trade, the Board of
Investments or other governmental agencies; Provided, however, That if the offender is a
corporation, firm, partnership or association, the penalty shall be imposed upon the principal
officer or officers, as the case may be, of the corporation, firm or association, and if such officer or
officers is an alien, in addition to the penalties herein prescribed, he or they shall be deported
without further proceedings on the part of the Commission on Immigration and Deportation;
Provided, finally, that if the offender is a public official or employee, he shall, in addition to the
penalties prescribed herein, be dismissed from the services and suffer perpetual disqualification
to hold public office.
Section 8. The provisions on travel tax of Republic Act No. 1478, as amended, and Republic Act
No. 6141, and all other acts, executive orders, administrative orders, proclamations, decrees,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Decree are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 9. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 21st day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-seven.
By the President:

Presidential Assistant
Source: Malacañang Records Office, retrieved July 18, 2019 from

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1977/08/21/presidential-decree-no-1183-s-1977/
REPUBLIC ACTS RELATED TO MIGRANT WORKERS:
17th Congress (2)
1. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11227 [PDF, 1040k]

AN ACT MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION
(POEA) TO DEVELOP, PUBLISH, DISSEMINATE AND UPDATE A HANDBOOK ON THE
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MIGRANT WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995," AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022
Approved by the President on: February 22, 2019
Origin: Senate (SB00192/HB08110)

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ATTACHÉ, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995", AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Approved by the President on: April 17, 2019
Origin: House (HB08908/SB01819)
14th Congress (1)

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, FURTHER
IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF
MIGRANT WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Approved by the President on: March 08, 2010
Origin: Senate (SB03286/HB05649)
13th Congress (1)

AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE REGULATORY FUNCTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA), AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995"
Approved by the President on: April 10, 2007
9th Congress (1)

AN ACT TO INSTITUTE THE POLICIES OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AND ESTABLISH A
HIGHER STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT
WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Approved by the President on: June 07, 1995
S. No. 2077 H. No. 14314 / 91 OG No. 32, 4994 (August 7, 1995) ; 5 VLD 2d 364
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042

AN ACT TO INSTITUTE THE POLICIES OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AND ESTABLISH A HIGHER
STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known and cited as the "Migrant Workers and
Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. —
(a) In the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and while considering

national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-
determination paramount in its relations with other states, the State shall, at all times,
uphold the dignity of its citizens whether in country or overseas, in general, and Filipino
migrant workers, in particular.
(b) The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas,
organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment
opportunities for all. Towards this end, the State shall provide adequate and timely social,
economic and legal services to Filipino migrant workers.
(c) While recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers
to the national economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State does not
promote overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve
national development. The existence of the overseas employment program rests solely on
the assurance that the dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Filipino
citizen shall not, at any time, be compromised or violated. The State, therefore, shall
continuously create local employment opportunities and promote the equitable
distribution of wealth and the benefits of development.
(d) State affirms the fundamental equality before the law of women and men
and the significant role of women in nation-building. Recognizing the contribution of
overseas migrant women workers and their particular vulnerabilities, the State shall
apply gender sensitive criteria in the formulation and implementation of policies and
programs affecting migrant workers and the composition of bodies tasked for the welfare
of migrant workers.
(e) Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal
assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty. In this regard, it is
imperative that an effective mechanism be instituted to ensure that the rights and interest
of distressed overseas Filipinos, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, in particular,
documented or undocumented, are adequately protected and safeguarded.
(f) The right of Filipino migrant workers and all overseas Filipinos to
participate in the democratic decision-making processes of the State and to be
represented in institutions relevant to overseas employment is recognized and
guaranteed.
(g) The State recognizes that the ultimate protection to all migrant workers is
the possession of skills. Pursuant to this and as soon as practicable, the government shall
deploy and/or allow the deployment only of skilled Filipino workers.
(h) Non-governmental organizations, duly recognized as legitimate, are
partners of the State in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and in the promotion
of their welfare. The State shall cooperate with them in a spirit of trust and mutual respect.
(i) Government fees and other administrative costs of recruitment,
introduction, placement and assistance to migrant workers shall be rendered free without
prejudice to the provision of Section 35 hereof.
Nonetheless, the deployment of Filipino overseas workers, whether land-based or sea-

based, by local service contractors and manning agencies employing them shall be encouraged.
Appropriate incentives may be extended to them.
SEC. 3. Definitions. — For purposes of this Act:
(a) "Migrant worker" refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or

has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a legal
resident; to be used interchangeably with overseas Filipino worker.
(b) "Gender-sensitivity" shall mean cognizance of the inequalities and
inequities prevalent in society between women and men and a commitment to address
issues with concern for the respective interests of the sexes.
(c) "Overseas Filipinos" refer to dependents of migrant workers and other
Filipino nationals abroad who are in distress as mentioned in Sections 24 and 26 of this
Act.
I. Deployment
SEC. 4. Deployment of Migrant Workers. — The State shall deploy overseas Filipino
workers only in countries where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected. The
government recognizes any of the following as a guarantee on the part of the receiving country
for the protection and the rights of overseas Filipino workers:
(a) It has existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of migrant
workers;
(b) It is a signatory to multilateral conventions, declarations or resolutions
relating to the protection of migrant workers;
(c) It has concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement with the
government protecting the rights of overseas Filipino workers; and
(d) It is taking positive, concrete measures to protect the rights of migrant
workers.
SEC. 5. Termination or Ban on Deployment. — Notwithstanding the provisions of Section

4 hereof, the government, in pursuit of the national interest or when public welfare so requires,
may, at any time, terminate or impose a ban on the deployment of migrant workers.
II. Illegal Recruitment
SEC. 6. Definition. — For purposes of this Act, illegal recruitment shall mean any act of
canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring, or procuring workers and
includes referring, contract services, promising or advertising for employment abroad, whether
for profit or not, when undertaken by a non-licensee or non-holder of authority contemplated
under Article 13(f) of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor
Code of the Philippines: Provided, That any such non-licensee or non-holder who, in any manner,
offers or promises for a fee employment abroad to two or more persons shall be deemed so
engaged. It shall likewise include the following acts, whether committed by any person, whether
a non-licensee, non-holder, licensee or holder of authority:
(a) To charge or accept directly or indirectly any amount greater than that
specified in the schedule of allowable fees prescribed by the Secretary of Labor and
Employment, or to make a worker pay any amount greater than that actually received by
him as a loan or advance;
(b) To furnish or publish any false notice or information or document in

relation to recruitment or employment;
(c) To give any false notice, testimony, information or document or commit

any act of misrepresentation for the purpose of securing a license or authority under the
Labor Code;
(d) To induce or attempt to induce a worker already employed to quit his

employment in order to offer him another unless the transfer is designed to liberate a
worker from oppressive terms and conditions of employment;
(e) To influence or attempt to influence any person or entity not to employ

any worker who has not applied for employment through his agency;
(f) To engage in the recruitment or placement of workers in jobs harmful to

public health or morality or to the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines;
(g) To obstruct or attempt to obstruct inspection by the Secretary of Labor

and Employment or by his duly authorized representative;
(h) To fail to submit reports on the status of employment, placement

vacancies, remittance of foreign exchange earnings, separation from jobs, departures and
such other matters or information as may be required by the Secretary of Labor and
Employment;
(i) To substitute or alter to the prejudice of the worker, employment

contracts approved and verified by the Department of Labor and Employment from the
time of actual signing thereof by the parties up to and including the period of the
expiration of the same without the approval of the Department of Labor and Employment;
(j) For an officer or agent of a recruitment or placement agency to become an

officer or member of the Board of any corporation engaged in travel agency or to be
engaged directly or indirectly in the management of a travel agency;
(k) To withhold or deny travel documents from applicant workers before

departure for monetary or financial considerations other than those authorized under the
Labor Code and its implementing rules and regulations;
(l) Failure to actually deploy without valid reason as determined by the

Department of Labor and Employment; and
(m) Failure to reimburse expenses incurred by the worker in connection with

his documentation and processing for purposes of deployment, in cases where the
deployment does not actually take place without the worker's fault. Illegal recruitment
when committed by a syndicate or in large scale shall be considered an offense involving
economic sabotage.
Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group of three

(3) or more persons conspiring or confederating with one another. It is deemed committed in
large scale if committed against three (3) or more persons individually or as a group.
The persons criminally liable for the above offenses are the principals, accomplices and
accessories. In case of juridical persons, the officers having control, management or direction of
their business shall be liable.
SEC. 7. Penalties. —
(a) Any person found guilty of illegal recruitment shall suffer the penalty of
imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12)
years and a fine of not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000) nor more than
Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000).
(b) The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000) nor more than One million pesos (P1,000,000) shall be
imposed if illegal recruitment constitutes economic sabotage as defined therein.
Provided, however, That the maximum penalty shall be imposed if the person illegally
recruited is less than eighteen (18) years of age or committed by a non-licensee or non-holder of
authority.
SEC. 8. Prohibition on Officials and Employees. — It shall be unlawful for any official or
employee of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA), or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), or the
Department of Foreign Affairs, or other government agencies involved in the implementation of
this Act, or their relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, to engage,
directly or indirectly, in the business of recruiting migrant workers as defined in this Act. The
penalties provided in the immediate preceding paragraph shall be imposed upon them.
SEC. 9. Venue. — A criminal action arising from illegal recruitment as defined herein shall
be filed with the Regional Trial Court of the province or city where the offense was committed or
where the offended party actually resides at the time of the commission of the offense: Provided,
That the court where the criminal action is first filed shall acquire jurisdiction to the exclusion of
other courts: Provided, however, That the aforestated provisions shall also apply to those criminal
actions that have already been filed in court at the time of the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 10. Monetary Claims. — Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the
Labor Arbiters of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) shall have the original and
exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide, within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of the
complaint, the claims arising out of an employer-employee relationship or by virtue of any law or
contract involving Filipino workers for overseas deployment including claims for actual, moral,
exemplary and other forms of damages.
The liability of the principal/employer and the recruitment/ placement agency for any
and all claims under this section shall be joint and several. This provision shall be incorporated
in the contract for overseas employment and shall be a condition precedent for its approval. The
performance bond to be filed by the recruitment/ placement agency, as provided by law, shall be
answerable for all money claims or damages that may be awarded to the workers. If the
recruitment/placement agency is a juridical being, the corporate officers and directors and
partners as the case may be, shall themselves be jointly and solidarily liable with the corporation
or partnership for the aforesaid claims and damages.
Such liabilities shall continue during the entire period or duration of the employment
contract and shall not be affected by any substitution, amendment or modification made locally
or in a foreign country of the said contract.
Any compromise/amicable settlement or voluntary agreement on money claims inclusive

of damages under this section shall be paid within four (4) months from the approval of the
settlement by the appropriate authority.
In case of termination of overseas employment without just, valid or authorized cause as

defined by law or contract, the worker shall be entitled to the full reimbursement of his placement
fee with interest at twelve percent (12%) per annum, plus his salaries for the unexpired portion
of his employment contract or for three (3) months for every year of the unexpired term,
whichever is less.
Noncompliance with the mandatory periods for resolutions of cases provided under this
section shall subject the responsible officials to any or all of the following penalties:
(a) The salary of any such official who fails to render his decision or resolution
within the prescribed period shall be, or caused to be, withheld until the said official
complies therewith;
(b) Suspension for not more than ninety (90) days; or
(c) Dismissal from the service with disqualification to hold any appointive
public office for five (5) years.
Provided, however, That the penalties herein provided shall be without prejudice to any
liability which any such official may have incurred under other existing laws or rules and
regulations as a consequence of violating the provisions of this paragraph.
SEC. 11. Mandatory Periods for Resolution of Illegal Recruitment Cases. — The preliminary
investigations of cases under this Act shall be terminated within a period of thirty (30) calendar
days from the date of their filing. Where the preliminary investigation is conducted by a
prosecution officer and a prima facie case is established, the corresponding information shall be
filed in court within twenty-four (24) hours from the termination of the investigation. If the
preliminary investigation is conducted by a judge and a prima facie case is found to exist, the
corresponding information shall be filed by the proper prosecution officer within forty-eight (48)
hours from the date of receipt of the records of the case.
SEC. 12. Prescriptive Periods. — Illegal recruitment cases under this Act shall prescribe in
five (5) years: Provided, however, That illegal recruitment cases involving economic sabotage as
defined herein shall prescribe in twenty (20) years.
SEC. 13. Free Legal Assistance; Preferential Entitlement Under the Witness Protection
Program. — A mechanism for free legal assistance for victims of illegal recruitment shall be
established within the Department of Labor and Employment including its regional offices. Such
mechanism must include coordination and cooperation with the Department of Justice, the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and other non-governmental organizations and volunteer
groups.
The provisions of Republic Act No. 6981 to the contrary notwithstanding, any person who
is a victim of illegal recruitment shall be entitled to the Witness Protection Program provided
thereunder.
III. Services
SEC. 14. Travel Advisory /Information Dissemination. — To give utmost priority to the
establishment of programs and services to prevent illegal recruitment, fraud and exploitation or
abuse of Filipino migrant workers, all embassies and consular offices, through the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), shall issue travel advisories or disseminate
information on labor and employment conditions, migration realities and other facts; and
adherence of particular countries to international standards on human and workers' rights which
will adequately prepare individuals into making informed and intelligent decisions about
overseas employment. Such advisory or information shall be published in a newspaper of general
circulation at least three (3) times in every quarter.
SEC. 15. Repatriation of Workers; Emergency Repatriation Fund. — The repatriation of the
worker and the transport of his personal belongings shall be the primary responsibility of the
agency which recruited or deployed the worker overseas. All costs attendant to repatriation shall
be borne by or charged to the agency concerned and/or its principal. Likewise, the repatriation
of remains and transport of the personal belongings of a deceased worker and all costs attendant
thereto shall be borne by the principal and/or the local agency. However, in cases where the
termination of employment is due solely to the fault of the worker, the principal/employer or
agency shall not in any manner be responsible for the repatriation of the former and/ or his
belongings.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in coordination with

appropriate international agencies, shall undertake the repatriation of workers in cases of war,
epidemic, disasters or calamities, natural or man-made, and other similar events without
prejudice to reimbursement by the responsible principal or agency. However, in cases where the
principal or recruitment agency cannot be identified, all costs attendant to repatriation shall be
borne by the OWWA.
For this purpose, there is hereby created and established an emergency repatriation fund
under the administration, control and supervision of the OWWA, initially to consist of One
hundred million pesos (P100,000,000), which shall be taken from the existing fund controlled
and administered by the OWWA. Thereafter, such fund shall be provided for in the General
Appropriations Act from year to year: Provided, That the amount appropriated shall in no case
be less than One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000), inclusive of outstanding balances.
SEC. 16. Mandatory Repatriation of Underage Migrant Workers. — Upon discovery or

being informed of the presence of migrant workers whose actual ages fall below the minimum
age requirement for overseas deployment, the responsible officers in the foreign service shall
without delay repatriate said workers and advise the Department of Foreign Affairs through the
fastest means of communication available of such discovery and other relevant information.
SEC. 17. Establishment of Re-placement and Monitoring Center. — A re-placement and

monitoring center is hereby created in the Department of Labor and Employment for returning
Filipino migrant workers which shall provide a mechanism for their reintegration into the
Philippine society, serve as a promotion house for their local employment, and tap their skills and
potentials for national development.
The Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare

Administration, and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration shall, within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a program that would motivate migrant
workers to plan for productive options such as entry into highly technical jobs or undertakings,
livelihood and entrepreneurial development, better wage employment, and investment of
savings.
For this purpose, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the
Technology Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), and other government agencies involved in
training and livelihood development shall give priority to returnees who had been employed as
domestic helpers and entertainers.
SEC. 18. Functions of the Re-placement and Monitoring Center. — The Center shall provide
the following services:
(a) Develop livelihood programs and projects for returning Filipino migrant workers in
coordination with the private sector;
(b) Coordinate with appropriate private and government agencies in the promotion,
development, re-placement and the full utilization of their potentials;
(c) Institute, in cooperation with other government agencies concerned, a computer-

based information system on skilled Filipino migrant workers which shall be accessible to all local
recruitment agencies and employers, both public and private;
(d) Provide a periodic study and assessment of job opportunities for returning Filipino
migrant workers; and
(e) Develop and implement other appropriate programs to promote the welfare of
returning Filipino migrant workers.
SEC. 19. Establishment of a Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center.
— Within the premises and under the administrative jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in
countries where there are large concentrations of Filipino migrant workers, there shall be
established a Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center with the following
services:
(a) Counselling and legal services;

(b) Welfare assistance including the procurement of medical and hospitalization services;
(c) Information, advisory and programs to promote social integration such as post-
arrival orientation, settlement and community networking services and activities for social
interaction;
(d) Institute a scheme of registration of undocumented workers to bring them within the
purview of this Act. For this purpose, the Center is enjoined to compel existing undocumented
workers to register with it within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, under pain of
having his/her passport cancelled;
(e) Human resource development, such as training and skills upgrading;
(f) Gender sensitive programs and activities to assist particular needs of women migrant
workers;
(g) Orientation program for returning workers and other migrants; and
(h) Monitoring of daily situations, circumstances and activities affecting migrant workers
and other overseas Filipinos.
The establishment and operations of the Center shall be a joint undertaking of the various
government agencies. The Center shall be open for twenty-four (24) hours daily including
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and shall be staffed by Foreign Service personnel, service
attaches or officers who represent other Philippine government agencies abroad and, if available,
individual volunteers and bona fide non-government organizations from the host countries. In
countries categorized as highly problematic by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the
Department of Labor and Employment and where there is a concentration of Filipino migrant
workers, the government must provide a lawyer and a social worker for the Center. The Labor
Attache shall coordinate the operation of the Center and shall keep the Chief of Mission informed
and updated on all matters affecting it.
The Center shall have a counterpart 24-hour information and assistance center at the
Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a continuous network and coordinative mechanism at
the home office.
SEC. 20. Establishment of a Shared Government Information System for Migration. — An

inter-agency committee composed of the Department of Foreign Affairs and its attached agency,
the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Justice, the
Bureau of Immigration, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the National Statistics Office
shall be established to implement a shared government information system for migration. The
inter-agency committee shall initially make available to itself the information contained in
existing data bases/ files. The second phase shall involve linkaging of computer facilities in order
to allow free-flow data exchanges and sharing among concerned agencies.
The inter-agency committee shall convene to identify existing data bases which shall be
declassified and shared among member agencies. These shared data bases shall initially include,
but not be limited to, the following information:
(a) Masterlists of Filipino migrant workers/overseas Filipinos classified according to

occupation/job category, civil status, by country/state of destination including visa classification;
(b) Inventory of pending legal cases involving Filipino migrant workers and other
Filipino nationals, including those serving prison terms;
(c) Masterlists of departing/arriving Filipinos;
(d) Statistical profile on Filipino migrant workers/overseas Filipinos/tourists;
(e) Blacklisted foreigners/undesirable aliens;
(f) Basic data on legal systems, immigration policies, marriage laws and civil and
criminal codes in receiving countries particularly those with large numbers of Filipinos;
(g) List of labor and other human rights instruments where receiving countries are
signatories;
(h) A tracking system of past and present gender disaggregated cases involving male and
female migrant workers; and
(i) Listing of overseas posts which may render assistance to overseas Filipinos, in
general, and migrant workers, in particular.
SEC. 21. Migrant Workers Loan Guarantee Fund. — In order to further prevent
unscrupulous illegal recruiters from taking advantage of workers seeking employment abroad,
the OWWA, in coordination with government financial institutions, shall institute financing
schemes that will expand the grant of pre-departure loan and family assistance loan. For this
purpose, a Migrant Workers Loan Guarantee Fund is hereby created and the revolving amount of
One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000) from the OWWA is set aside as a guarantee fund in
favor of participating government financial institutions.
SEC. 22. Rights and Enforcement Mechanism Under International and Regional Human
Rights Systems. — The Department of Foreign Affairs is mandated to undertake the necessary
initiative such as promotions, acceptance or adherence of countries receiving Filipino workers to
multilateral convention, declaration or resolutions pertaining to the protection of migrant
workers' rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs is also mandated to make an assessment of
rights and avenues of redress under international and regional human rights systems that are
available to Filipino migrant workers who are victims of abuse and violation and, as far as
practicable and through the Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs created under this Act,
pursue the same on behalf of the victim if it is legally impossible to file individual complaints. If a
complaints machinery is available under international or regional systems, the Department of
Foreign Affairs shall fully apprise the Filipino migrant workers of the existence and effectiveness
of such legal options.
IV. Government Agencies
SEC. 23. Role of Government Agencies. — The following government agencies shall perform
the following to promote the welfare and protect the rights of migrant workers and, as far as
applicable, all overseas Filipinos:
(a) Department of Foreign Affairs — The Department, through its home office or foreign
posts, shall take priority action or make representation with the foreign authority concerned to
protect the rights of migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos and extend immediate
assistance including the repatriation of distressed or beleaguered migrant workers and other
overseas Filipinos;
(b) Department of Labor and Employment — The Department of Labor and Employment
shall see to it that labor and social welfare laws in the foreign countries are fairly applied to
migrant workers and whenever applicable, to other overseas Filipinos including the grant of legal
assistance and the referral to proper medical centers or hospitals:
(b.1) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration—Subject to deregulation and

phase-out as provided under Sections 29 and 30 herein, the Administration shall regulate private
sector participation in the recruitment and overseas placement of workers by setting up a
licensing and registration system. It shall also formulate and implement, in coordination with
appropriate entities concerned, when necessary, a system for promoting and monitoring the
overseas employment of Filipino workers taking into consideration their welfare and the
domestic manpower requirements.
(b.2) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration—The Welfare officer or in his absence, the
coordinating officer shall provide the Filipino migrant worker and his family all the assistance
they may need in the enforcement of contractual obligations by agencies or entities and/or by
their principals. In the performance of this function, he shall make representation and may call
on the agencies or entities concerned to conferences or conciliation meetings for the purpose of
settling the complaints or problems brought to his attention.
V. The Legal Assistant For Migrant Workers Affairs
SEC. 24. Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs. — There is hereby created the
position of Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs under the Department of Foreign Affairs
who shall be primarily responsible for the provision and overall coordination of all legal
assistance services to be provided to Filipino migrant workers as well as overseas Filipinos in
distress. He shall have the rank, salary and privileges equal to that of an undersecretary of said
Department.
The said Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs, shall be appointed by the President
and must be of proven competence in the field of law with at least ten (10) years of experience as
a legal practitioner and must not have been a candidate to an elective office in the last local or
national elections.
Among the functions and responsibilities of the aforesaid Legal Assistant are:
(a) To issue the guidelines, procedures and criteria for the provision of legal assistance
services to Filipino migrant workers;
(b) To establish close linkages with the Department of Labor and Employment, the
POEA, the OWWA and other government agencies concerned, as well as with non-governmental
organizations assisting migrant workers, to ensure effective coordination and cooperation in the
provision of legal assistance to migrant workers;
(c) To tap the assistance of reputable law firms and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
and other bar associations to complement the government's efforts to provide legal assistance to
our migrant workers;
(d) To administer the legal assistance fund for migrant workers established under
Section 25 hereof and to authorize disbursements therefrom in accordance with the purposes for
which the fund was set up; and
(e) To keep and maintain the information system as provided in Section 20.
The Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs shall have the authority to hire private
lawyers, domestic or foreign, in order to assist him in the effective discharge of the above
functions.
SEC. 25. Legal Assistance Fund. — There is hereby established a legal assistance fund for
migrant workers, hereinafter referred to as the Legal Assistance Fund, in the amount of One
hundred million pesos (P100,000,000) to be constituted from the following sources:
Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000) from the Contingency Fund of the President;
Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000) from the Presidential Social Fund; and
Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000) from the Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers
established under Letter of Instruction No. 537, as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 1694
and 1809.
Any balances of existing funds which have been set aside by the government specifically
as legal assistance or defense fund to help migrant workers shall, upon effectivity of this Act, be
turned over to, and form part of, the Fund created under this Act.
SEC. 26. Uses of the Legal Assistance Fund. — The Legal Assistance Fund created under the
preceding section shall be used exclusively to provide legal services to migrant workers and
overseas Filipinos in distress in accordance with the guidelines, criteria and procedures
promulgated in accordance with Section 24(a) hereof. The expenditures to be charged against the
Fund shall include the fees for the foreign lawyers to be hired by the Legal Assistant for Migrant
Workers Affairs to represent migrant workers facing charges abroad, bail bonds to secure the
temporary release of workers under detention, court fees and charges and other litigation
expenses.
VI. Country-Team Approach
SEC. 27. Priority Concerns of Philippine Foreign Service Posts. — The country-team
approach, as enunciated under Executive Order No. 74, series of 1993, shall be the mode under
which Philippine embassies or their personnel will operate in the protection of the Filipino
migrant workers as well as in the promotion of their welfare. The protection of the Filipino
migrant workers and the promotion of their welfare, in particular, and the protection of the
dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizen abroad, in general, shall be
the highest priority concerns of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Foreign Service
Posts.
SEC. 28. Country-Team Approach. — Under the country-team approach, all officers,
representatives and personnel of the Philippine government posted abroad regardless of their
mother agencies shall, on a per country basis, act as one country-team with a mission under the
leadership of the ambassador. In this regard, the ambassador may recommend to the Secretary
of the Department of Foreign Affairs the recall of officers, representatives and personnel of the
Philippine government posted abroad for acts inimical to the national interest such as, but not
limited to, failure to provide the necessary services to protect the rights of overseas Filipinos.
Upon receipt of the recommendation of the ambassador, the Secretary of the Department
of Foreign Affairs shall, in the case of officers, representatives and personnel of other
departments, endorse such recommendation to the department secretary concerned for
appropriate action. Pending investigation by an appropriate body in the Philippines, the person
recommended for recall may be placed under preventive suspension by the ambassador.
In host countries where there are Philippine consulates, such consulates shall also
constitute part of the country-team under the leadership of the ambassador.
In the implementation of the country-team approach, visiting Philippine delegations shall

be provided full support and information.
VII. Deregulation and Phase-Out
SEC. 29. Comprehensive Deregulation Plan on Recruitment Activities. — Pursuant to a

progressive policy of deregulation whereby the migration of workers becomes strictly a matter
between the worker and his foreign employer, the DOLE, within one (1) year from the effectivity
of this Act, is hereby mandated to formulate a five-year comprehensive deregulation plan on
recruitment activities taking into account labor market trends, economic conditions of the
country and emerging circumstances which may affect the welfare of migrant workers.
SEC. 30. Gradual Phase-out of Regulatory Functions. — Within a period of five (5) years
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOLE shall phase-out the regulatory functions of the POEA
pursuant to the objectives of the deregulation.
VIII. Professional and Other Highly-Skilled Filipinos Abroad
SEC. 31. Incentives to Professionals and Other Highly-Skilled Filipinos Abroad. — Pursuant
to the objective of encouraging professionals and other highly-skilled Filipinos abroad especially
in the field of science and technology to participate in, and contribute to national development,
the government shall provide proper and adequate incentives and programs so as to secure their
services in priority development areas of the public and private sectors.
IX. Miscellaneous Provisions
SEC. 32. POEA and OWWA Board; Additional Memberships. — Notwithstanding any
provision of law to the contrary, the respective Boards of the POEA and the OWWA shall, in
addition to their present composition, have three (3) members each who shall come from the
women, sea-based and land-based sectors respectively, to be appointed by the President in the
same manner as the other members.
SEC. 33. Report to Congress. — In order to inform the Philippine Congress on the
implementation of the policy enunciated in Section 4 hereof, the Department of Foreign Affairs
and the Department of Labor and Employment shall submit to the said body a semi-annual report
of Philippine foreign posts located in countries hosting Filipino migrant workers. The report shall
include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
(a) Masterlist of Filipino migrant workers, and inventory of pending legal cases
involving them and other Filipino nationals including those serving prison terms;
(b) Working conditions of Filipino migrant workers;
(c) Problems encountered by the migrant workers, specifically violations of their rights;
(d) Initiatives/actions taken by the Philippine foreign posts to address the problems of
Filipino migrant workers;
(e) Changes in the laws and policies of host countries; and
(f) Status of negotiations on bilateral labor agreements between the Philippines and the
host country.
(g) Any officer of the government who fails to report as stated in the preceding section
shall be subject to administrative penalty.
SEC. 34. Representation in Congress. — Pursuant to Section 5(2), Article VI of the

Constitution and in line with the objective of empowering overseas Filipinos to participate in the
policy-making process to address Filipino migrant concerns, two (2) sectoral representatives for
migrant workers in the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the President from the
ranks of migrant workers: Provided, That at least one (1) of the two (2) sectoral representatives
shall come from the women migrant workers sector: Provided, further, That all nominees must
have at least two (2) years experience as a migrant worker.
SEC. 35. Exemption from Travel Tax and Airport Fee. — All laws to the contrary
notwithstanding, the migrant worker shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax and airport
fee upon proper showing of proof of entitlement by the POEA.
SEC. 36. Non-increase of Fees; Abolition of Repatriation Bond. — Upon approval of this Act,
all fees being charged by any government office on migrant workers shall remain at their present
levels and the repatriation bond shall be abolished.
SEC. 37. The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund. — There is hereby created
a Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund which shall benefit deserving migrant
workers and/or their immediate descendants below twenty-one (21) years of age who intend to
pursue courses or training primarily in the field of science and technology. The initial seed fund
of Two hundred million pesos (P200,000,000) shall be constituted from the following sources:
(a) Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000) from the unexpended Countrywide Development
Fund for 1995 in equal sharing by all Members of Congress; and
(b) The remaining One hundred fifty million pesos (P150,000,000) shall be funded from
the proceeds of Lotto draws.
The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund as herein created shall be

administered by the DOLE in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST). To carry out the objectives of this section, the DOLE and the DOST shall formulate the
necessary rules and regulations.
SEC. 38. Appropriation and Other Sources of Funding. — The amount necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act of the year
following its enactment into law and thereafter.
SEC. 39. Migrant Workers Day. — The day of signing by the President of this Act shall be
designated as the Migrant Workers Day and shall henceforth be commemorated as such annually.
SEC. 40. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The departments and agencies charged
with carrying out the provisions of this Act shall, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of
this Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.
SEC. 41. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.
SEC. 42. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected
thereby.
SEC. 43. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation
whichever comes earlier.
Approved,
(Sgd.) EDGARDO J. ANGARA (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR.

President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 14314 and Senate Bill No. 2077 was finally
passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on June 5, 1995 and June 3, 1995,
respectively.
(Sgd.) EDGARDO E. TUMANGAN (Sgd.) CAMILO L. SABIO

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General House of Representatives
Approved: June 7, 1995
(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS

S. No. 2130 / H. No. 4720

AN ACT MAKING THE CITIZENSHIP OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENS WHO ACQUIRE FOREIGN
CITIZENSHIP PERMANENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE COMMONWEALTH ACT NO.
63, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – this act shall be known as the "Citizenship Retention and Re-
acquisition Act of 2003."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State that all
Philippine citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship
under the conditions of this Act.
SEC. 3. Retention of Philippine Citizenship. – Any provision of law to the contrary

notwithstanding, natural-born citizenship by reason of their naturalization as citizens of a foreign
country are hereby deemed to have re-acquired Philippine citizenship upon taking the following
oath of allegiance to the Republic:
"I _____________________, solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and
defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and
legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines;
and I hereby declare that I recognize and accept the supreme authority of the
Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto; and that I imposed
this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of
evasion."
Natural born citizens of the Philippines who, after the effectivity of this
Act, become citizens of a foreign country shall retain their Philippine citizenship
upon taking the aforesaid oath.
SEC. 4. Derivative Citizenship. – The unmarried child, whether legitimate, illegitimate or

adopted, below eighteen (18) years of age, of those who re-acquire Philippine citizenship upon
effectivity of this Act shall be deemed citizenship of the Philippines.
SEC. 5. Civil and Political Rights and Liabilities. – Those who retain or re-acquire Philippine
citizenship under this Act shall enjoy full civil and political rights and be subject to all attendant
liabilities and responsibilities under existing laws of the Philippines and the following conditions:
(1) Those intending to exercise their right of suffrage must meet the
requirements under Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, Republic Act No. 9189,
otherwise known as "The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003" and other
existing laws;
(2) Those seeking elective public in the Philippines shall meet the
qualification for holding such public office as required by the Constitution and
existing laws and, at the time of the filing of the certificate of candidacy, make a
personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any
public officer authorized to administer an oath;
(3) Those appointed to any public office shall subscribe and swear to an
oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted
authorities prior to their assumption of office: Provided, That they renounce their
oath of allegiance to the country where they took that oath;
(4) Those intending to practice their profession in the Philippines shall

apply with the proper authority for a license or permit to engage in such practice;
and
(5) That right to vote or be elected or appointed to any public office in the
Philippines cannot be exercised by, or extended to, those who:
(a) are candidates for or are occupying any public office in the
country of which they are naturalized citizens; and/or
(b) are in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned

officers in the armed forces of the country which they are naturalized
citizens.
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. – If any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional
or invalid, any other section or provision not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR. (Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON

Speaker of the House President of the Senate
of Representatives
This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2130 and House Bill No. 4720 was
finally passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on August 25, 2003 and August 26,
2003, respectively.
(Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO (Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES

Secretary General Secretary of the Senate
House of Representatives
Approved: AUG 29 2003

S. No. 2501 H. No. 5498 / 103 OG No. 35, 5593 (Aug. 27, 2007); Manila Times 4/26/07

AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE REGULATORY FUNCTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS
EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA), AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS
FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995"
SECTION 1. Section 23, paragraph (b.l) of Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise known as the
"Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995" is hereby amended to read as follows:
"(b.l) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - The Administration shall

regulate private sector participation in the recruitment and overseas placement of workers by
setting up a licensing and registration system. It shall also formulate and implement, in
coordination with appropriate entities concerned, when necessary, a system for promoting and
monitoring the overseas employment of Filipino workers taking into consideration their welfare
and the domestic manpower requirements.
"In addition to its powers and functions, the administration shall inform migrant workers
not only of their rights as workers but also of their rights as human beings, instruct and guide the
workers how to assert their rights and provide the available mechanism to redress violation of
their rights.
"In the recruitment and placement of workers to service the requirements for trained and
competent Filipino workers of foreign governments and their instrumentalities, and such other
employers as public interests may require, the administration shall deploy only to countries
where the Philippines has concluded bilateral labor agreements or arrangements: Provided, That
such countries shall guarantee to protect the rights of Filipino migrant workers; and: Provided,
further, That such countries shall observe and/or comply with the international laws and
standards for migrant workers."
SEC. 2. Section 29 of the same law is hereby repealed. Sec. 3. Section 30 of the same law is
also hereby repealed.
SEC. 4. All laws, orders, issuances, rules or regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. If, for any reason, any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) MANNY VILLAR (Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR.
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 5498 and Senate Bill No. 2501 was
finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 31, 2007.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES (Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General
Approved: APR 10 2007

S. No. 3286 H. No. 5649; 106 OG No. 19, 2729 (May 10, 2010); Bulletin, April 21, 2010

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, FURTHER IMPROVING THE
STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT
PURPOSES
SECTION 1. Paragraphs (a), (e), (g) and (h) of Section 2 of Republic Act. No. 8042, as
amended, otherwise known as the "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"(a) In the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and while considering

national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-
determination paramount in its relations with other states, the State shall, at all
times, uphold the dignity of its citizens whether in counlry or overseas, in general,
and Filipino migrant workers, in particular, continuously monitor international
conventions, adopt/be signatory to and ratify those that guarantee protection to
our migrant workers, and endeavor to enter into bilateral agreements with
countries hosting overseas Filipino workers."
"(e) Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal
assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty. In this regard,
it is imperative that an effective mechanism be instituted to ensure that the rights
and interest of distressed overseas Filipinos, in general, and Filipino migrant
workers, in particular, whether regular/documented or
irregular/undocumented, are adequately protected and safeguarded."
"(g) The State recognizes that the moat effective tool for empowerment is
the possession of skills by migrant workers. The government shall provide them
free and accessible skills development and enhancement programs. Pursuant to
this and as soon as practicable, the government shall deploy and/or allow the
deployment only of skilled Filipino workers."
"(h) The State recognizes non-governmental organizations, trade unions,

workers associations, stakeholders and other similar entities duly recognized as
legitimate, are partners of the State in the protection of Filipino migrant workers
and in the promotion of their welfare. The State shall cooperate with them in a
spirit of trust and mutual respect, The significant contribution of recruitment and
manning agencies shall form part of this partnership."
SEC. 2. Section 3, paragraph (a) of Republic Act No. 3042, as amended, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
"(a) "Overseas Filipino worker" refers to a person who is to be engaged,

is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which he
or she is not a citizen or on board a vessel navigating the foreign seas other than
a government ship used for military or non-commercial purposes or on an
installation located offshore or on the high seas; to be used interchangeably with
migrant worker."
SEC. 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 4. Deployment of Migrant Workers. — The State shall allow the

deployment of overseas Filipino workers only in countries where the rights of
Filipino migrant workers are protected. The government recognizes any of the
following as a guarantee on the part of the receiving country for the protection of
the rights of overseas Filipino workers:
"(a) It has existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of workers,
including migrant workers;
"(b) It is a signatory to and/or a ratifier of multilateral conventions,

declarations or resolutions relating to the protection of workers, including
migrant workers; and
"(c) It has concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement with the

government on the protection of the rights of overseas Filipino Workers:
Provided, That the receiving country is taking positive, concrete measures

to protect the rights of migrant workers in furtherance of any of the guarantees
under subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) hereof.
"In the absence of a clear showing that any of the aforementioned

guarantees exists in the country of destination of the migrant workers, no permit
for deployment shall be issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA).
"The members of the POEA Governing Board who actually voted in favor
of an order allowing the aforementioned guarantees shall suffer the penalties of
removal or dismissal from service with disqualification to hold any appointive
public office for five (5) years. Further, the government official or employee
responsible for the issuance of the permit or for allowing the deployment of
migrant workers in violation of this section and in direct contravention of an
order by the POEA Governing Board prohibiting deployment shall be meted the
same penalties in this section.
"For this purpose, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through its foreign
posts, shall issue a certification to the POEA, specifying therein the pertinent
provisions of the receiving country's labor/social law, or the
convention/declaration/resolution, or the bilateral agreement/arrangement
which protect the rights of migrant workers.
"The State shall also allow the deployment of overseas Filipino workers
to vessels navigating the foreign seas or to installations located offshore or on
high seas whose owners/employers are compliant with international laws and
standards that protect the rights of migrant workers.
"The State shall likewise allow the deployment of overseas Filipino

workers to companies and contractors with international operations: Provided,
That they are compliant with standards, conditions and requirements, as
embodied in the employment contracts prescribed by the POEA and in
accordance with internationally-accepted standards."
SEC. 4. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8042. as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 5. Termination or Ban on Deployment. — Notwithstanding the

provisions of Section 4 hereof, in pursuit of the national interest or when public
welfare so requires, the POEA Governing Board, after consultation with the
Department of Foreign Affairs, may, at any time, terminate or impose a ban on the
deployment of migrant workers."
SEC. 5. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amend is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 6. Definition. — For purposes of this Act illegal recruitment shall

mean any act of canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring,
or procuring workers and includes referring, contract services, promising or
advertising for employment abroad, whether for profit or not, when undertaken
by a non-licensee or non-holder of authority contemplated under Article 13(f) of
Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code of
the Philippines: Provided, That any such non-licensee or non-holder who, in any
manner, offers or promises for a fee employment abroad to two or more persons
shall be deemed so engaged. It shall likewise include the following acts, whether
committed by any person, whether a non-licensee, non-holder, licensee or holder
of authority:
"(a) To charge or accept directly or indirectly any amount greater than

that specified in the schedule of allowable fees prescribed by the Secretary of
Labor and Employment, or to make a worker pay or acknowledge any amount
greater than that actually received by him as a loan or advance;
"(b) To furnish or publish any false notice or information or document in

relation to recruitment or employment;
"(c) To give any false notice, testimony, information or document or

commit any act of misrepresentation for the purpose of securing a license or
authority under the Labor Code, or for the purpose of documenting hired workers
with the POEA which include the act of reprocessing workers through a job order
that pertains to nonexistent work, work different from the actual overseas work,
or work with a different employer whether registered or not with the POEA;
"(d) To induce or attempt to induce a worker already employed to quit his

employment in order to offer him another unless the transfer is designed to
liberate a worker from oppressive terms and conditions of employment:
"(e) To influence or attempt to influence any person or entity not to

employ any worker who has not applied for employment through his agency or
who has formed, joined or supported, or has contacted or is supported by any
union or workers' organization;
"(f) To engage in the recruitment or placement of workers in jobs harmful

to public health or morality or to the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines;
"(g) To obstruct or attempt to obstruct inspection by the Secretary of

Labor and Employment or by his duly authorized representative;
"(h) To fail to submit reports on the status of employment, placement
vacancies, remittance of foreign exchange earnings, separation from jobs,
departures and such other matters or information as may be required by the
Secretary of Labor and Employment;
"(i) To substitute or alter to the prejudice of the worker, employment

contracts approved and verified by the Department of Labor and Employment
from the time of actual signing thereof by the parties up to and including the
period of the expiration of the same without the approval of the Department of
Labor and Employment;
"(j) For an officer or agent of a recruitment or placement agency to

become an officer or member of the Board of any corporation engaged in travel
agency or to be engaged directly or indirectly in the management of a travel
agency;
"(k) To withhold or deny travel documents from applicant workers before

departure for monetary or financial considerations, or for any other reasons,
other than those authorized under the Labor Code and its implementing rules and
regulations;
"(l) Failure to actually deploy a contracted worker without valid reason

as determined by the Department of Labor and Employment;
"(m) Failure to reimburse expenses incurred by the worker in connection

with his documentation and processing for purposes of deployment, in cases
where the deployment does not actually take place without the worker's fault.
Illegal recruitment when committed by a syndicate or in large scale shall be
considered an offense involving economic sabotage: and
"(n) To allow a non-Filipino citizen to head or manage a licensed

recruitment/manning agency.
"Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by

a group of three (3) or more persons conspiring or confederating with one
another. It is deemed committed in large scale if committed against three (3) or
more persons individually or as a group.
"In addition to the acts enumerated above, it shall also be unlawful for any
person or entity to commit the following prohibited acts:
"(1) Grant a loan to an overseas Filipino worker with interest exceeding

eight percent (8%) per annum, which will be used for payment of legal and
allowable placement fees and make the migrant worker issue, either personally
or through a guarantor or accommodation party, postdated checks in relation to
the said loan;
"(2) Impose a compulsory and exclusive arrangement whereby an

overseas Filipino worker is required to avail of a loan only from specifically
designated institutions, entities or persons;
"(3) Refuse to condone or renegotiate a loan incurred by an overseas

Filipino worker after the latter's employment contract has been prematurely
terminated through no fault of his or her own;

overseas Filipino worker is required to undergo health examinations only from
specifically designated medical clinics, institutions, entities or persons, except in
the case of a seafarer whose medical examination cost is shouldered by the
principal/shipowner;

overseas Filipino worker is required to undergo training, seminar, instruction or
schooling of any kind only from specifically designated institutions, entities or
persons, except for recommendatory trainings mandated by
principals/shipowners where the latter shoulder the cost of such trainings;
"(6) For a suspended recruitment/manning agency to engage in any kind

of recruitment activity including the processing of pending workers' applications;
and
"(7) For a recruitment/manning agency or a foreign principal/employer

to pass on to the overseas Filipino worker or deduct from his or her salary the
payment of the cost of insurance fees, premium or other insurance related
charges, as provided under the compulsory worker's insurance coverage,
"The persons criminally liable for the above offenses are the principals,
accomplices and accessories. In case of juridical persons, the officers having
ownership, control, management or direction of their business who are
responsible for the commission of the offense and the responsible
employees/agents thereof shall be liable.
"In the filing of cases for illegal recruitment or any of the prohibited acts
under this section, t Secretary of Labor and Employment, the POEA Administrator
or their duly authorized representatives, or any aggrieved person may initiate the
corresponding criminal action with the appropriate office. For this purpose, the
affidavits and testinionies of operatives or personnel from the Department of
Labor and Employment, POEA and other law enforcement agencies who
witnessed the acts constituting the offense shall be sufficient to prosecute the
accused.
"In the prosecution of offenses punishable under this section, the public
prosecutors of the Department of Justice shall collaborate with the anti-illegal
recruitment branch of the POEA and, in certain cases, allow the POEA lawyers to
take the lead in the prosecution. The POEA lawyers who act as prosecutors in such
cases shall he entitled to receive additional allowances as may be determined by
the POEA Administrator.
"The filing of an offense punishable under thi Act shall be without

prejudice to the filing of cases punishable under other existing laws, rules or
regulations."
follows:
"SEC. 7. Penalties. —
"(a) Any person found guilty of illegal recruitment shall suffer the penalty
of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day but not more
than twenty (20) years and a fine of not less than One million pesos
(P1,000,000.00) nor more than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00).
"(b) The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Two
million pesos (P2,000,000.00) nor more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00)
shall be imposed if illegal recruitment constitutes economic sabotage as denned
therein.
"Provided, however, That the maximum penalty shall be imposed if the

person illegally recruited is less than eighteen (18) years of age or committed by
a non-licensee or non-holder of authority.
"(c) Any person found guilty of any of the prohibited acts shall suffer the
penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not
more than twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000.00) nor more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).
"If the offender is an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties

herein prescribed, be deported without further proceedings.
"In every case, conviction shall cause and carry the automatic revocation
of the license or registration of the recruitment/manning agency, lending
institution, training school or medical clinic."
follows:
"SEC. 10. Money Claims. — Notwithstanding any provision of law to the

contrary, the Labor Arbiters of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide, within ninety
(90) calendar days after the filing of the complaint, the claims arising out of an
employer-employee relationship or by virtue of any law or contract involving
Filipino workers for overseas deployment including claims for actual, moral,
exemplary and other forms of damages. Consistent with this mandate, the NLRC
shall endeavor to update and keep abreast with the developments in the global
services industry.
"The liability of the principal/employer and the recruitment/placement

agency for any and all claims under this section shall be joint and several. This
provision shall be incorporated in the contract for overseas employment and shall
be a condition precedent for its approval. The performance bond to be filed by the
recruitment/placement agency, as provided by law, shall be answerable for all
money claims or damages that may be awarded to the workers. If the
recruitment/placement agency is a juridical being, the corporate officers and
directors and partners as the case may be, shall themselves be jointly and
solidarity liable with the corporation or partnership for the aforesaid claims and
damages.
"Such liabilities shall continue during the entire period or duration of the
employment contract and shall not be affected by any substitution, amendment
or modification made locally or in a foreign country of the said contract.
"Any compromise/amicable settlement or voluntary agreement on
money claims inclusive of damages under this section shall be paid within thirty
(30) days from the approval of the settlement by the appropriate authority.
"In case of termination of overseas employment without just, valid or

authorized cause as defined by law or contract, or any unauthorized deductions
from the migrant worker's salary, the worker shall be entitled to the full
reimbursement of his placement fee and the deductions made with interest at
twelve percent (12%) per annum, plus his salaries for the unexpired portion of
his employment contract or for three (3) months for every year of the unexpired
term, whichever is less.
"In case of a final and executory judgment against a foreign

employer/principal, it shall be automatically disqualified, without further
proceedings, from participating in the Philippine Overseas Employment Program
and from recruiting and hiring Filipino workers until and unless it fully satisfies
the judgment award.
"Noncompliance with the mandatory periods for resolutions of cases

provided under this section shall subject the responsible officials to any or all of
the following penalties:
"(a) The salary of any such official who fails to render his decision or
resolution within the prescribed period shall be, or caused to be, withheld until
the said official complies therewith;
"(b) Suspension for not more than ninety (90) days; or
"(c) Dismissal from the service with disqualification to hold any

appointive public office for five (5) years.
"Provided, however, That the penalties herein provided shall be without

prejudice to any liability which any such official may have incurred under other
existing laws or rules and regulations as a consequence of violating the provisions
of this paragraph,"
SEC. 8. The first paragraph of Section 13 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 13. Free Legal Assistance; Preferential Entitlement Under the Witness
Protection Program. — A mechanism for free legal assistance for victims of illegal
recruitment shall be established in the anti-illegal recruitment branch of the
POEA including its regional offices. Such mechanism shall include coordination
and cooperation with the Department of Justice, the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines, and other non-governmental organizations and volunteer groups."
follows:
"SEC. 16. Mandatory Repatriation of Underage Migrant Workers. — Upon

discovery or being informed of the presence of migrant workers whose actual
ages fall below the minimum age requirement for overseas deployment, the
responsible officers in the foreign service shall without delay repatriate said
workers and advise the Department of Foreign Affairs through the fastest means
of communication available of such discovery and other relevant information.
The license of a recruitment/manning agency which recruited or deployed an
underage migrant worker shall be automatically revoked and shall be imposed a
fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but not more
than One million pesos (Php1,000,000.00). All fees pertinent to the processing of
papers or documents in the recruitment or deployment shall be refunded in full
by the responsible recruitment/manning agency, without need of notice, to the
underage migrant worker or to his parents or guardian. The refund shall be
independent of and in addition to the indemnification for the damages sustained
by the underage migrant worker. The refund shall be paid within thirty (30) days
from the date of the mandatory repatriation as provided for in this Act."
follows:
"SEC. 17. Establishment of National Reintegration Center for Overseas

Filipino Workers. — A national reintegration center for overseas Filipino workers
(NRCO) is hereby created in the Department of Labor and Employment for
returning Filipino migrant workers which shall provide a mechanism for their
reintegration into the Philippine society, serve as a promotion house for their
local employment, and tap their skills and potentials for national development.
"The Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers

Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this
Act, formulate a program that would motivate migrant workers to plan for
productive options such as entry into highly technical jobs or undertakings,
livelihood and entrepreneurial development, better wage employment, and
investment of savings.
"For this purpose, the Technical Education and Skills Development

Authority (TESDA), the Technology Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), and
other government agencies involved in training and livelihood development shall
give priority to returnees who had been employed as domestic helpers and
entertainers."
follows:
"SEC. 18. Functions of the National Reintegration Center for Overseas

Filipino Workers. — The Center shall provide the following services:
"(a) Develop and support programs and projects for livelihood,

entrepreneurship, savings, investments and financial literacy for returning
Filipino migrant workers and their families in coordination with relevant
stakeholders, service providers and international organizations;
"(b) Coordinate with appropriate stakeholders, service providers and

relevant international organizations for the promotion, development and the full
utilization of overseas Filipino worker returnees and their potentials;
"(c) Institute, in cooperation with other government agencies concerned,

a computer-based information system on returning Filipino migrant workers
which shall be accessible to all local recruitment agencies and employers, both
public and private;
"(d) Provide a periodic study and assessment of job opportunities for

returning Filipino migrant workers;
"(e) Develop and implement other appropriate programs to promote the

welfare of returning Filipino migrant workers;
"(f) Maintain an internet-based communication system for on-line

registration and interaction with clients, and maintain and upgrade computer-
based service capabilities of the NRCO;
"(g) Develop capacity-building programs for returning overseas Filipino

workers and their families, implementers, service providers, and stakeholders;
and
"(h) Conduct research for policy recommendations and program

development."
SEC. 12. The second paragraph of Section 19 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is
hereby amended to read as follows:
"The establishment and operations of the Center shall be a joint

undertaking of the various government agencies. The Center shall be open for
twenty-four (24) hours daily including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and shall
be staffed by Foreign Service personnel, service attaches or officers who
represent other Philippine government agencies abroad and, if available,
individual volunteers and bona fide non-government organizations from the host
countries. In countries categorized as highly problematic by the Department of
Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment and where there is
a concentration of Filipino migrant workers, the government must provide a
Shari'a or human rights lawyer, a psychologist and a social worker for the Center.
In addition to these personnel, the government must also hire within the
receiving country, in such number as may be needed by the post, public relation
officers or case officers who are conversant, orally and in writing, with the local
language, laws, customs and practices. The Labor Attache shall coordinate the
operation of the Center and shall keep the Chief of Mission informed and updated
on al] matters affecting it."
follows:
"SEC. 20. Establishment of a Shared Government Information System for

Migration. — An interagency committee composed of the Department of Foreign
Affairs and its attached agency, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the
Department of Labor and Employment and its attached concerned agencies, the
Department of Tourism, the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Immigration,
the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the Interior and Local
Government, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Commission on
Information and Communications Technology, the National Computer Center, the
National Statistical and Coordination Board, the National Statistics Office and
other government agencies concerned with overseas employment shall be
established to implement a shared government information system for migration.
The interagency committee shall initially make available to itself the information
contained in existing data bases/ files. The second phase shall involve linkaging
of computer facilities in order to allow free-flow data exchanges and sharing
among concerned agencies.
"The inter-agency committee shall be co- chaired by the Department of

Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment. The National
Computer Center shall provide the necessary technical assistance and shall set
the appropriate information and communications technology standards to
facilitate the sharing of information among the member agencies.
"The inter-agency committee shall meet regularly to ensure the

immediate and full implementation of this section and shall explore the
possibility of setting up a central storage facility fo the data on migration. The
progress of the implementation of this section shall be included in the report to
Congress of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and
Employment under Section 33.
"The inter-agency committee shall convene to identify existing data bases

which shall be declassified and shared among member agencies. These shared
data bases shall initially include, but not be limited to, the following information:
"(a) Masterlists of Filipino migrant workers/ overseas Filipinos classified

according to occupation/ job category, civil status, by country/state of
destination including visa classification:
"(b) Inventory of pending legal cases involving Filipino migrant workers

and other Filipino nationals, including those serving prison terms;
"(c) Masterlist of departing/arriving Filipinos;
"(d) Statistical profile on Filipino migrant workers/overseas

Filipinos/tourists;
"(e) Blacklisted foreigners/undesirable aliens;
"(f) Basic data on legal systems, immigration policies, marriage laws and
civil and criminal codes in receiving countries particularly those with large
numbers of Filipinos;
"(g) List of labor and other human rights instruments where receiving
countries are signatories;
"(h) A tracking system of past and present gender disaggregated cases

involving male and female migrant workers, including minors; and
"(i) Listing of overseas posts which may render assistance to overseas

Filipinos, in general, and migrant workers, in particular."
SEC. 14. Subparagraph (b.1) of paragraph (b) of Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042, as
amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"(b.1) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. — The

Administration shall regulate private sector participation in the recruitment and
overseas placement of workers by setting up a licensing and registration system.
It shall also formulate and implement, in coordination with appropriate entities
concerned, when necessary, a system for promoting and monitoring the overseas
employment of Filipino workers taking into consideration their welfare and the
domestic manpower requirements. It shall be responsible for the regulation and
management of overseas employment from the pre-employment stage, securing
the best possible employment terms and conditions for overseas Filipino workers,
and taking into consideration the needs of vulnerable sectors and the peculiarities
of sea-based and land-based workers. In appropriate cases, the Administration
shall allow the lifting of suspension of erring recruitment/manning agencies upon
the payment of fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for every month of
suspension.
"In addition to its powers and functions, the Administration shall inform
migrant workers not only of their rights as workers but also of their rights as
human beings, instruct and guide the workers how to assert their rights and
provide the available mechanism to redress violation of their rights. It shall also
be responsible for the implementation, in partnership with other law-
enforcement agencies, of an intensified program against illegal recruitment
activities. For this purpose, the POEA shall provide comprehensive Pre-
Employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) that will discuss topics such as
prevention of illegal recruitment and gender-sensitivity.
"The Administration shall not engage in the recruitment and placement of

overseas workers except on a government-to-government arrangement only.
"In the recruitment and placement of workers to service the requirements

for trained and competent Filipino workers of foreign governments and their
instrumentalities, and such other employers as public interests may require, the
Administration shall deploy only to countries where the Philippines has
concluded bilateral labor agreements or arrangements: Provided, That such
countries shall guarantee to protect the rights of Filipino migrant workers; and:
Provided, further, That such countries shall observe and/or comply with the
international laws and standards for migrant workers."
SEC. 15. Sub-paragraph (b.2) of Paragraph (b) of Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042, as
amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
"(b.2) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. — The Welfare officer

or in hie absence, the coordinating officer shall provide the Filipino migrant
worker and his family all the assistance they may need in the enforcement of
contractual obligations by agencies or entities and/or by their principals. In the
performance of this function, he shall make representation and may call on the
agencies or entities concerned to conferences or conciliation meetings for the
purpose of settling the complaints or problems brought to his attention. The
OWWA shall likewise formulate and implement welfare programs for overseas
Filipino workers and their families while they are abroad and upon their return.
It shall also ensure the awareness by the overseas Filipino workers and their
families of these programs and other related governmental programs.
"In the repatriation of workers to be undertaken by OWWA, the latter shall

be authorized to pay repatriation-related expenses, such as fines or penalties,
subject to such guidelines as the OWWA Board of Trustees may prescribe."
SEC. 16. Under Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, add new paragraphs (c)
and (d) with their corresponding subparagraphs to read as follows:
"(c) Department of Health. — The Department of Health (DOH) shall

regulate the activities and operations of all clinics which conduct medical,
physical, optical, dental, psychological and other similar examinations,
hereinafter referred to as health examinations, on Filipino migrant workers as
requirement for their overseas employment. Pursuant to this, the DOH shall
ensure that:
"(c.1) The fees for the health examinations are regulated, regularly
monitored and duly published to ensure that the said fees are reasonable and not
exorbitant;
"(c.2) The Filipino migrant worker shall only be required to undergo

health examinations when there is reasonable certainty that he or she will be
hired and deployed to the jobsite and only those health examinations which are
absolutely necessary for the type of job applied for or those specifically required
by the foreign employer shall be conducted;
"(c.3) No group or groups of medical clinics shall have a monopoly of

exclusively conducting health examinations on migrant workers for certain
receiving countries;
"(c.4) Every Filipino migrant worker shall have the freedom to choose any
of the DOH- accredited or DOH-operated clinics that will conduct his/her health
examinations and that his or her rights as a patient are respected. The decking
practice, which requires an overseas Filipino worker to go first to an office for
registration and then farmed out to a medical clinic located elsewhere, shall not
be allowed;
"(c.5) Within a period of three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, all
DOH regional and/or provincial hospitals shall establish and operate clinics that
can serve the health examination requirements of Filipino migrant workers to
provide them easy access to such clinics all over the country and lessen their
transportation and lodging expenses; and
"(c.6) All DOH-accredited medical clinics, including the DOH-operated

clinics, conducting health examinations for Filipino migrant workers shall
observe the same standard operating procedures and shall comply with
internationally- accepted standards in their operations to conform with the
requirements of receiving countries or of foreign employers/principals.
"Any foreign employer who does not honor the results of valid health
examinations conducted by a DOH-accredited or DOH-operated clinic shall be
temporarily disqualified from participating in the overseas employment program,
pursuant to POEA rules and regulations.
"In case an overseas Filipino worker is found to be not medically fit upon
his/her immediate arrival in the country of destination, the medical clinic that
conducted the health examination/s of such overseas Filipino worker shall pay
for his or her repatriation back to the Philippines and the cost of deployment of
such worker.
"Any DOH-accredited clinic which violates any provision of this section
shall, in addition to any other liability it may have incurred, suffer the penalty of
revocation of its DOH accreditation.
"Any government official or employee who violates any provision of this

subsection shall be removed or dismissed from service with disqualification to
hold any appointive public office for five (5) years. Such penalty is without
prejudice to any other liability which he or she may have incurred under existing
laws, rules or regulations.
"(d) Local Government Units. — In the fight against illegal recruitment, the
local government units (LGUs), in partnership with the POEA, other concerned
government agencies, and non-government organizations advocating the rights
and welfare of overseas Filipino workers, shall take a proactive stance by being
primarily responsible for the dissemination of information to their constituents
on all aspects of overseas employment. To carry out this task, the following shall
be undertaken by the LGUs:
"(d.1) Provide a venue for the POEA, other concerned government

agencies and non-government organizations to conduct PEOS to their
constituents on a regular basis;
"(d.2) Establish overseas Filipino worker help desk or kiosk in their

localities with the objective of providing current information to their constituents
on all the processes and aspects of overseas employment. Such desk or kiosk shall,
as far as practicable, be fully computerized and shall be linked to the database of
all concerned government agencies, particularly the POEA for its updated lists of
overseas job orders and licensed recruitment agencies in good standing."
SEC. 17. Subparagraph (c) of Section 24 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
"(c) To tap the assistance of reputable law firms, the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines, other bar associations, and other government legal experts on
overseas Filipino worker laws to complement the government's efforts to provide
legal assistance to our migrant workers;"
follows:
"SEC. 25. Legal Assistance Fund. — There is hereby established a legal

assistance fund for migrant workers, hereinafter referred to as the Legal
Assistance Fund, in the amount of One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00)
to be constituted from the following sources:
"Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) from the Contingency Fund of the

President;
"Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000.00) from the Presidential Social Fund;
"Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) from the Welfare Fund for

Overseas Workers established under Letter of Instruction No. 537, as amended by
Presidential Decree Nos. 1694 and 1809; and
"An amount appropriated in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA)
which shall not be less than Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000.00) per year:
Provided, That the balance of the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) including the
amount appropriated for the year shall not be leas than One hundred million
pesos (P100,000,000.00): Provided, further, That the Fund shall be treated as a
special fund in the National Treasury and its balance, including the amount
appropriated in the GAA, which shall form part of the Fund, shall not revert to the
General Fund.
"Any balances of existing funds which have been set aside by the
government specifically as legal assistance or defense fund to help migrant
workers shall, upon effectivity of this Act, be turned over to, and form part of, the
Fund created under this Act."
follows:
"SEC. 26. Uses of the Legal Assistance Fund. — The Legal Assistance Fund
created under the preceding section shall be used exclusively to provide legal
services to migrant workers and overseas Filipinos in distress in accordance with
the guidelines, criteria and procedures promulgated in accordance with Section
24(a) hereof. The expenditures to be charged against the Fund shall include the
fees for the foreign lawyers to be hired by the Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers
Affairs to represent migrant workers facing charges or in filing cases against
erring or abusive employers abroad, bail bonds to secure the temporary release
of workers under detention, court fees and charges and other litigation expenses:
Provided, That at the end of every year, the Department of Foreign Affairs shall
include in its report to Congress, as provided for under Section 33 of this Act, the
status of the Legal Assistance Fund, including the expenditures from the said fund
duly audited by the Commission on Audit (COA): Provided, further, That the hiring
of foreign legal counsels, when circumstances warrant urgent action, shall be
exempt from the coverage of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government
Procurement Act."
follows:
"SEC. 32. POEA, OWWA and other Boards; Additional Memberships. —

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the respective Boards of the
POEA and the OWWA shall, in addition to their present composition, have three
(3) members each who shall come from the women, sea-based and land-based
sectors respectively, to be selected and nominated openly by the general
membership of the sector being represented.
"The selection and nomination of the additional members from, the

women, sea-based and land-based sectors shall be governed by the following
guidelines:
"(a) The POEA and the OWWA shall launch a massive information
campaign on the selection of nominees and provide for a system of consultative
sessions for the certified leaders or representatives of the concerned sectors, at
least three (3) times, within ninety (90) days before the boards shall be convened,
for purposes of selection. The process shall be open, democratic and transparent;
"(b) Only non-government organizations that protect and promote the
rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers, duly registered with the
appropriate Philippine government agency and in good standing as such, and in
existence for at least three (3) years prior to the nomination shall be qualified to
nominate a representative for each sector to the Board;
"(c) The nominee must be at least twenty-five (25) years of age, able to
read and write, and a migrant worker at the time of his or her nomination or was
a migrant worker with at least three (3) years experience as such; and
"(d) A final list of all the nominees selected by the OWWA/POEA governing
boards, which shall consist of three (3) names for each sector to be represented,
shall be submitted to the President and published in a newspaper of general
circulation;
"Within thirty (30) days from the submission of the list, the President shall
select and appoint from the list the representatives to the POEA/OWWA
governing boards.
"The additional members shall have a term of three (3) years and shall be
eligible for reappointment for another three (3) years. In case of vacancy, the
President shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, appoint a
replacement who shall serve the unexpired term of his or her predecessor.
"Any executive issuances or orders issued that contravene the provisions

of this section shall have no force and effect.
"All other government agencies and government-owned or -controlled

corporations which require at least one (1) representative from the overseas
workers sector to their respective boards shall follow all the applicable provisions
of this section."
SEC. 21. The first and last paragraph of Section 33 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended,
is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 33. Report to Congress. — In order to inform the Philippine Congress

on the implementation of the policy enunciated in Section 4 hereof, the
Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment
shall submit separately to the said body a semi-annual report of Philippine foreign
posts located in countries hosting Filipino migrant workers. The mid-year report
covering the period January to June shall be submitted not later than October 31
of the same year while the year-end report covering the period July to December
shall be submitted not later than May 31 of the following year. The report shall
include, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
"xxx
"Any officer of the government who fails to submit the report as stated in
this section shall be subject to an administrative penalty of dismissal from the
service with disqualification to hold any appointive public office for five (5)
years."
follows:
"SEC. 35. Exemption from Travel Tax, Documentary Stamp Tax and Airport
Fee. — All laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the migrant worker shall be
exempt from the payment of travel tax and airport-fee upon proper showing of
proof of entitlement by the POEA.
"The remittances of all overseas Filipino workers, upon showing of the

same proof of entitlement by the overseas Filipino worker's beneficiary or
recipient, shall be exempt from the payment of documentary stamp tax."
SEC. 23. A new Section 37-A of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby added to
read as follows:
"SEC. 37-A. Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Agency-Hired Workers. —

In addition to the performance bond to be filed by the recruitment/ manning
agency under Section 10, each migrant worker deployed by a
recruitment/manning agency shall be covered by a compulsory insurance policy
which shall be secured at no cost to the said worker. Such insurance policy shall
be effective for the duration of the migrant worker's employment contract and
shall cover, at the minimum:
"(a) Accidental death, with at least Fifteen thousand United States dollars
(US$15,000.00) survivor's benefit payable to the migrant worker's beneficiaries;
"(b) Natural death, with at least Ten thousand United States dollars
(US$10,000.00) survivor's benefit payable to the migrant worker's beneficiaries;
"(c) Permanent total disablement, with at least Seven thousand five

hundred United States dollars (US$7,500.00) disability benefit payable to the
migrant worker. The following disabilities shall be deemed permanent: total,
complete loss of sight of both eyes; loss of two (2) limbs at or above the ankles or
wrists; permanent complete paralysis of two (2) limbs; brain injury resulting to
incurable imbecility or insanity;
"(d) Repatriation cost of the worker when his/her employment is

terminated without any valid cause, including the transport of his or her personal
belongings. In case of death, the insurance provider shall arrange and pay for the
repatriation or return of the worker's remains. The insurance provider shall also
render any assistance necessary in the transport including, but not limited to,
locating a local and licensed funeral home, mortuary or direct disposition facility
to prepare the body for transport, completing all documentation, obtaining legal
clearances, procuring consular services, providing death certificates, purchasing
the minimally necessary casket or air transport container, as well as transporting
the remains including retrieval from site of death and delivery to the receiving
funeral home;
"(e) Subsistence allowance benefit, with at least One hundred United

States dollars (US$100.00) per month for a maximum of six (6) months for a
migrant worker who is involved in a case or litigation for the protection of his/her
rights in the receiving country;
"(f) Money claims arising from employer's liability which may be awarded
or given to the worker in a judgement or settlement of his or her case in the NLRC.
The insurance coverage for money claims shall be equivalent to at least three (3)
months for every year of the migrant worker's employment contract;
"In addition to the above coverage, the insurance policy shall also include:
"(g) Compassionate visit. When a migrant worker is hospitalized and has

been confined for at least seven (7) consecutive days, he shall be entitled to a
compassionate visit by one (1) family member or a requested individual. The
insurance company shall pay for the transportation cost of the family member or
requested individual to the major airport closest to the place of hospitalization of
the worker. It is, however, the responsibility of the family member or requested
individual to meet all visa and travel document requirements;
"(h) Medical evacuation. When an adequate medical facility is not

available proximate to the migrant worker, as determined by the insurance
company's physician and/or a consulting physician, evacuation under
appropriate medical supervision by the mode of transport necessary shall be
undertaken by the insurance provider; and
"(i) Medical repatriation. When medically necessary as determined by the

attending physician, repatriation under medical supervision to the migrant
worker's residence shall be undertaken by the insurance provider at such time
that the migrant worker is medically cleared for travel by commercial carrier. If
the period to receive medical clearance to travel exceeds fourteen (14) days from
the date of discharge from the hospital, an alternative appropriate mode of
transportation, such as air ambulance, may be arranged. Medical and non-medical
escorts may be provided when necessary.
"Only reputable private insurance companies duly registered with the

Insurance Commission (IC), which are in existence and operational for at least five
(5) years, with a net worth of at least Five hundred million pesos
(P500,000,000.00) to be determined by the IC, and with a current year certificate
of authority shall be qualified to provide for the worker's insurance coverage.
Insurance companies who have directors, partners, officers, employees or agents
with relatives, within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, who
work or have interest in any of the licensed recruitment/manning agencies or in
any of the government agencies involved in the overseas employment program
shall be disqualified from providing this workers’ insurance coverage.
"The recruitment/manning agency shall have the right to choose from any
of the qualified insurance providers the company that will insure the migrant
worker it will deploy. After procuring such insurance policy, the
recruitment/manning agency shall provide an authenticated copy thereof to the
migrant worker. It shall then submit the certificate of insurance coverage of the
migrant worker to POEA as a requirement for the issuance of an Overseas
Employment Certificate (OEC) to the migrant worker. In the case of seafarers who
are insured under policies issued by foreign insurance companies, the POEA shall
accept certificates or other proofs of cover from recruitment/manning agencies:
Provided, That the minimum coverage under sub-paragraphs (a) to (i) are
included therein.
"Any person having a claim upon the policy issued pursuant to

subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this section shall present to the
insurance company concerned a written notice of claim together with pertinent
supporting documents. The insurance company shall forthwith ascertain the truth
and extent of the claim and make payment within ten (10) days from the filing of
the notice of claim.
"Any claim arising from accidental death, natural death or disablement

under this section shall be paid by the insurance company without any contest
and without the necessity of proving fault or negligence of any kind on the part of
the insured migrant worker: Provided, That the following documents, duly
authenticated by the Philippine foreign posts, shall be sufficient evidence to
substantiate the claim:
"(1) Death Certificate — In case of natural or accidental death;
"(2) Police or Accident Report — In case of accidental death; and
"(3) Medical Certificate — In case of permanent disablement;
"For repatriation under subparagraph (d) hereof, a certification which

states the reason/s for the termination of the migrant worker's employment and
the need for his or her repatriation shall be issued by the Philippine foreign post
or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) located in the receiving country.
"For subsistence allowance benefit under subparagraph (e), the

concerned labor attache or, in his absence, the embassy or consular official shall
issue a certification which states the name of the case, the names of the parties
and the nature of the cause of action of the migrant worker.
"For the payment of money claims under subparagraph (f), the following
rules shall govern:
"(1) After a decision has become final and executory or a

settlement/compromise agreement has been reached between the parties at the
NLRC, an order shall be released mandating the respondent
recruitment/manning agency to pay the amount adjudged or agreed upon within
thirty (30) days;
"(2) The recruitment/manning agency shall then immediately file a notice

of claim with its insurance provider for the amount of liability insured, attaching
therewith a copy of the decision or compromise agreement;
"(3) Within ten (10) days from the filing of notice of claim, the insurance
company shall make payment to the recruitment/manning agency the amount
adjudged or agreed upon, or the amount of liability insured, whichever is lower.
After receiving the insurance payment, the recruitment/manning agency shall
immediately pay the migrant worker's claim in full, taking into account that in
case the amount of insurance coverage is insufficient to satisfy the amount
adjudged or agreed upon, it is liable to pay the balance thereof;
"(4) In case the insurance company fails to make payment within ten (10)
days from the filing of the claim, the recruitment/manning agency shall pay the
amount adjudged or agreed upon within the remaining days of the thirty (30)-day
period, as provided in the first subparagraph hereof;
"(5) If the worker's claim was not settled within the aforesaid thirty (30)-
day period, the recruitment/manning agency's performance bond or escrow
deposit shall be forthwith garnished to satisfy the migrant worker's claim;
"(6) The provision of compulsory worker's insurance under this section
shall not affect the joint and solidary liability of the foreign employer and the
recruitment/manning agency under Section 10;
"(7) Lawyers for the insurance companies, unless the latter is impleaded,
shall be prohibited to appear before the NLRC in money claims cases under this
section.
"Any question or dispute in the enforcement of any insurance policy

issued under this section shall be brought before the IC for mediation or
adjudication.
"In case it is shown by substantial evidence before the POEA that the
migrant worker who was deployed by a licensed recruitment/manning agency
has paid for the premium or the cost of the insurance coverage or that the said
insurance coverage was used as basis by the recruitment/ manning agency to
claim any additional fee from the migrant worker, the said licensed recruitment/
manning agency shall lose its license and all its directors, partners, proprietors,
officers and employees shall be perpetually disqualified from engaging in the
business of recruitment of overseas workers. Such penalty is without prejudice to
any other liability which such persons may have incurred under existing laws,
rules or regulations.
"For migrant workers recruited by the POEA on a government-to-

government arrangement, the POEA shall establish a foreign employers guarantee
fund which shall be answerable to the workers' monetary claims arising from
breach of contractual obligations. For migrant workers classified as rehires, name
hires or direct hires, they may opt to be covered by this insurance coverage by
requesting their foreign employers to pay for the cost of the insurance coverage
or they may pay for the premium themselves. To protect the rights of these
workers, the Department of Labor and Employment and the POEA shall provide
them adequate legal assistance, including conciliation and mediation services,
whether at home or abroad.
"At the end of every year, the Department of Labor and Employment and
the IC shall jointly make an assessment of the performance of all insurance
providers, based upon the report of the NLRC and the POEA on their respective
interactions and experiences with the insurance companies, and they shall have
the authority to ban or blacklist such insurance companies which are known to be
evasive or not responsive to the legitimate claims of migrant workers. The
Department of Labor and Employment shall include such assessment in its year-
end report to Congress.
"For purposes of this section, the Department of Labor and Employment,

IC, NLRC and the POEA, in consultation with the recruitment/ manning agencies
and legitimate non-government organizations advocating the rights and welfare
of overseas Filipino workers, shall formulate the necessary implementing rules
and regulations.
"The foregoing provisions on compulsory insurance coverage shall be

subject to automatic review through the Congressional Oversight Committee
immediately after three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act in order to
determine its efficacy in favor of the covered overseas Filipino workers and the
compliance by recruitment/manning agencies and insurance companies, without
prejudice to an earlier review if necessary and warranted for the purpose of
modifying, amending and/or repealing these subject provisions.
SEC. 24. A new Section 37-B of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby added to
read as follows:
"SEC. 37-B. Congressional Oversight Committee. — There is hereby created

a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee composed of five (5) Senators and five
(5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight Committee shall be co-
chaired by the chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment
and the House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. The
Oversight Committee shall have the following duties and functions:
"(a) To set the guidelines and overall framework to monitor and ensure
the proper implementation of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, as well as all
programs, projects and activities related to overseas employment;
"(b) To ensure transparency and require the submission of reports from

concerned government agencies on the conduct of programs, projects and policies
relating to the implementation of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended;
"(c) To approve the budget for the programs of the Oversight Committee
and all disbursements therefrom, including compensation of all personnel;
"(d) To submit periodic reports to the President of the Philippines and

Congress on the implementation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as
amended;
"(e) To determine weaknesses in the law and recommend the necessary

remedial legislation or executive measures; and
"(f) To perform such other duties, functions and responsibilities as may be

necessary to attain its objectives.
"The Oversight Committee shall adopt its internal rules of procedure,

conduct hearings and receive testimonies, reports, and technical advice, invite or
summon by subpoena ad testificandum any public official or private citizen to
testify before it, or require any person by subpoena duces tecum documents or
other materials as it may require consistent with the provisions of Republic Act
No. 8042, as amended.
"The Oversight Committee shall organize its staff and technical panel, and
appoint such personnel, whether on secondment from the Senate and the House
of Representatives or on temporary, contractual, or on consultancy, and
determine their compensation subject to applicable civil service laws, rules and
regulations with a view to ensuring a competent and efficient secretariat.
"The members of the Oversight Committee shall not receive additional

compensation, allowances or emoluments for services rendered thereto except
traveling, extraordinary and other necessary expenses to attain its goals and
objectives.
"The Oversight Committee shall exist for a period of ten (10) years from
the effectivity of this Act and may be extended by a joint concurrent resolution."
SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The departments and agencies charged
with carrying out the provisions of this Act, except as otherwise provided herein, in consultation
with the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment and the House of Representatives
Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this
Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.
SEC. 26. Funding. — The departments, agencies, instrumentalities, bureaus, offices and
government-owned and -controlled corporations charged with carrying out the provisions of this
Act shall include in their respective programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The Congressional Oversight Committee on
Overseas Workers Affairs shall have the sum of Twenty-five million pesos (P25,000,000.00), half
of which shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Senate while the other half
shall be charged against the current appropriations of the House of Representatives, to carry out
its powers and functions for its initial operations and for fiscal years wherein the General
Appropriations Act is reenacted and no provision for its continued operation is included in such
Act. Thereafter, such amount necessary for its continued operations shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 27. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions not
affected thereby.
SEC. 28. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.
SEC. 29. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) PROSPERO C. NOGRALES (Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE

of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3286 and House Bill No. 5649 was
finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 18, 2010 and December
18, 2009, respectively.
(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP (Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES

Secretary General Secretary of the Senate
Approved:
GLORIA MACAPAGAL - ARROYO

Lapsed into law on MAR 08 2010 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article
VI, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.
AN ACT GOVERNING THE OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE OVERSEAS WORKERS
WELFARE ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER I
TITLE, POLICY AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration Act”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to afford full protection to labor,
local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment opportunities for
all. Towards this end, it shall be the State’s responsibility to protect the Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs).
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall be one of the principal
agencies of the State to serve and promote the rights, interest and welfare of the OFWs and their
families.
Welfare assistance, services, and programs provided by the OWWA shall be gender-
responsive, taking into consideration the different impacts of labor migration to men and women.
SEC. 3. Objectives. – This Act is enacted to provide guidelines on matters concerning the
OWWA, its mandate, purposes and objectives, membership, collection of contributions, and
availment of benefits and services. This Act also embodies the policies on fund management,
programs and services administration.
CHAPTER II
NATURE, SCOPE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OWWA
SEC. 4. Nature of the OWWA. – The OWWA is a national government agency vested with
the special function of developing and implementing welfare programs and services that respond
to the needs of its member-OFWs and their families. It is endowed with powers to administer a
trust fund to be called the OWWA Fund. Being a chartered institution, the OWWA shall not fall
under any of the following categories: government instrumentalities with corporate powers
(GICPs), government corporate entities (GCEs), government financial institutions (GFIs) and/or
government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs).
The OWWA shall be an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE). Its officials and employees are covered by the Salary Standardization Law.
SEC. 5. Scope. – This Act shall apply to the OWWA, the OWWA Secretariat, the OWWA
Fund, to its member-OFWs and those who will avail of the voluntary membership program of the
OWWA, and to overseas recruitment/manning agencies/employers who are duly registered with
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
SEC. 6. Functions. – The OWWA shall exercise the following functions:
(a) To protect the interest and promote the welfare of member-OFWs in all phases of
overseas employment in recognition of their valuable contribution to the overall national
development effort;
(b) To facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines
(Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended) and the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act
of 1995 (Republic Act No. 8042, as amended), concerning the responsibility of the government to
promote the well-being of OFWs. Pursuant thereto, and in furtherance thereof, it shall provide
legal assistance to member-OFWs;
(c) To provide social and welfare programs and services to member-OFWs, including
social assistance, education and training, cultural services, financial management, reintegration,
and entrepreneurial development services;
(d) To provide prompt and appropriate response to global emergencies or crisis
situations affecting OFWs and their families;
(e) To ensure the efficiency of collections and the viability and sustainability of the OWWA
Fund through sound, judicious, and transparent investment and management policies;
(f) To undertake studies and researches for the enhancement of the social, economic, and
cultural well-being of member-OFWs and their families;
(g) To develop, support and finance specific projects for the welfare of member-OFWs and
their families; and
(h) To ensure the implementation of all laws and ratified international conventions within
its jurisdiction.
CHAPTER III
DEFINITION OF TERMS
SEC. 7. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:
(a) Compensation refers to the basic pay or salary received by an officer or employee of
the OWWA, pursuant to the official appointment, excluding per diems, bonuses, overtime pay,
honoraria, allowances and any other emoluments received that are not integrated into the basic
pay under existing laws;
(b) Contribution or membership fee refers to the amount paid to the OWWA by the
employer or by an OFW in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(c) Dependent refers to any of the following:
(1) The legal spouse;
(2) The legitimate, illegitimate, legitimated, and legally adopted child, who is unmarried,
not gainfully employed, and not over the age of majority, or is over the age of majority but
incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to a mental or physical defect; and
(3) The parents who rely primarily upon the member-OFWs for support;
(d) Non-active OWWA member refers to an OFW whose OWWA membership has expired;
(e) Non-OWWA member refers to an undocumented OFW and who has not availed of the
voluntary membership of the OWWA;
(f) OWWA member refers to an OFW with a paid contribution or membership fee;
(g) Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged, or
has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a State of which the person is not a citizen, or on
board a vessel navigating the foreign seas other than a government ship used for military or
noncommercial purposes, or on an installation located offshore or on the high seas; and
(h) Voluntary OWWA member refers to the OFW who has availed of the voluntary
membership of the OWWA at job sites or through electronic registration.
CHAPTER IV
MEMBERSHIP, CONTRIBUTION AND COLLECTION
SEC. 8. Registration of Membership. – Membership in the OWWA may be obtained in two
(2) ways:
(a) By compulsory registration upon processing of employment contracts of OFWs at the
POEA; and
(b) By voluntary registration of OFWs at job sites, or through electronic registration.
SEC. 9. Amount of Contribution and Effectivity of Membership. – Membership in the OWWA,
either through the compulsory or voluntary coverage, shall be effective upon payment of
membership contribution in the amount of twenty-five US dollars (US$ 25.00) or its equivalent in
the prevailing foreign exchange rates. Such membership shall be considered active until the
expiration of the OFWs existing employment contract or after two (2) years from contract
effectivity, whichever comes first.
In case of voluntary registration, membership shall be considered active until the
expiration of the OFWs existing employment contract or after two (2) years from the date of
voluntary registration, whichever comes first.
The OWWA shall be allowed to collect a subsequent membership contribution from the
member-OFW only after every two (2) years from the last membership contribution made.
SEC. 10. Power of the Board to Adjust the Membership Contribution. – Based on actuarial
studies and taking into consideration the welfare and interest of the member-OFWs, the OWWA
Board may adjust or modify the amount of membership contribution.
SEC. 11. Proof of Membership. – Upon payment of the required contribution, an OWWA
member shall be issued an official receipt, an OWWA E-Card, identification card, or other proof of
membership. No additional or extra charges shall be levied on the member-OFW.
The OWWA shall maintain a comprehensive database of member-OFWs, which shall be
updated regularly.
SEC. 12. Separate Accounting of Land-Based and Sea-Based Members’ Contributions. – For
a more effective financial management, the membership contributions of land-based and sea-
based members shall be accounted for in two (2) separate books of accounts.
SEC. 13. Authorized Collecting Officers. –
(a) Membership contributions shall be collected by duly authorized OWWA collecting
officers, deputized collecting officers, or accredited collecting agents. The collection of
membership contributions shall be made at the POEA contract processing hub, OWWA regional
and overseas offices, and other accredited collection centers.
(b) In case of voluntary members who register at the job site, membership contributions
shall be made directly to the OWWA Overseas Offices located in the respective foreign service
posts of the Philippines.
SEC. 14. Reportorial Requirements. – The collecting officer, deputized collecting officer, or
the accredited collecting agent shall prepare and submit the required monthly reports to the
OWWA Central Office in the Philippines.
SEC. 15. Handling, Deposit and Remittance of Collection. – The OWWA shall ensure that the
handling, deposit and remittance of collections shall be in accordance with the existing rules and
regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
and other concerned agencies.
SEC. 16. Sanctions for Erring Officers. – Corresponding administrative sanctions and other
disciplinary measures, including recall from post, suspension, or separation from service, shall be
imposed upon any officer who violates Sections 14 and 15 of this Act.
SEC. 17. Prohibition Against Discrimination on Membership. – No OFW shall be denied
membership to the OWWA by reason of age, gender, religious belief, or political affiliation. The
OWWA shall take affirmative steps to enhance the access of OFWs to its programs and services.
SEC. 18. Payment of Contribution or OWWA Fee by Employer. – Contributions to the OWWA
Fund must be paid by the employers or principals, or in their default, by the recruitment/manning
agency in the case of new hires. The POEA shall ensure that this stipulation is made an integral
part of the overseas employment contract.
SEC. 19. Penalty for Violation by Recruitment/Manning Agency. – Violation by a
recruitment/manning agency of the preceding section shall constitute an offense punishable by
revocation of its license and all its officers and directors shall be perpetually disqualified from
engaging in the business of recruitment/placement of overseas workers. Such penalty is without
prejudice to any other liability which the officers and directors may have incurred under existing
laws, rules and regulations.
CHAPTER V
THE OWWA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SEC. 20. The OWWA Board of Trustees. – To carry out the purposes of this Act, the OWWA
shall be directed and controlled by a Board of Trustees which shall act as its policy-making body.
It shall be composed of the following members:
(a) Secretary of Labor and Employment, as Chairperson;
(b) OWWA Administrator, as Vice Chairperson;
(c) Secretary of Foreign Affairs;
(d) Secretary of Finance;
(e) Secretary of Budget and Management;
(f) POEA Administrator;
(g) Two (2) representatives from the land-based OFWs who are nominated and appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No.
10022;
(h) Two (2) representatives from the sea-based. OFWs who are nominated and appointed
in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No.
10022;
(i) One (1) representative from the women sector who is nominated and appointed in
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022;
(j) One (1) representative from the land-based recruitment sector who is selected from
among the various associations of registered overseas placement and recruitment agencies based
in the Philippines, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines to serve a single
term of three (3) years; and
(k) One (1) representative from the sea-based manning sector, who is selected from
among the various associations of registered overseas placement and manning agencies based in
the Philippines, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines to serve a single term
of three (3) years.
The Trustees holding office as members of the OWWA Board at the time of the effectivity
of this Act shall continue to serve until the expiration of their term of appointments.
In case of vacancy in any of the appointive positions in the OWWA Board, the vacancy
shall be filled by the subsequent nomination of the respective sector concerned, in the same
manner as the selection of the predecessor. Such successor shall hold office for the unexpired
term.
SEC. 21. Per Diem. – The members of the OWWA Board shall not receive any compensation
but shall be provided with per diem at rates allowed under existing rules and regulations.
SEC. 22. Responsibilities and Powers of the Board of Trustees. – The Board shall exercise
the following specific powers and duties:
(a) To define the thrusts of the OWWA and adopt policy guidelines to ensure their
implementation;
(b) To preserve the integrity of the OWWA Fund;
(c) To approve programs, projects, and the organizational structure of the OWWA
Secretariat;
(d) To modify or adjust the membership contribution and other necessary charges based
on periodic reviews and actuarial studies, subject to due consultation with OFWs or
nongovernment organizations (NGOs) advocating the protection of the rights and welfare of
OFWs and their families;
(e) To formulate rules and regulations governing financial transactions and prepare the
annual and supplemental budget of the Secretariat for submission to the DBM;
(f) To formulate rules and regulations governing the conduct and discipline of OWWA
officials and employees in accordance with civil service rules;
(g) To ensure the efficiency of collection and the viability and sustainability of the fund
through sound and judicious investment and fund management policies;
(h) To receive and appropriate all sums to carry out the purposes and functions of the
OWWA;
(i) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and
other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties, including the
necessary supplies, materials and equipment;
(j) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property of all
kinds, and to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the benefit of the OWWA
general membership and subject to the instructions of the donor, if any;
(k) To delegate any of its powers to the Chairperson of the Board or to the Administrator
of the OWWA Secretariat in case of any national emergency that affects the rights and welfare of
its member-OFWs and their families;
(l) To prescribe such general policies, rules and regulations, not contrary to law,
consistent with the purposes of the OWWA subject to due consultation with OFWs or NGOs
advocating the protection of the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families; and
(m) To exercise such powers as may be proper and necessary to carry out the objectives
of this Act.
CHAPTER VI
BOARD MEETINGS, PROXIES, AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT
SEC. 23. Schedule of Meetings. – The regular meetings of the Board shall be held every last
Friday of the month. If a change of date becomes necessary, the meetings shall be held at the most
convenient time set by the Board.
Special Board meetings and executive meetings may be scheduled as the need arises.
Special Board meetings may be called upon by the Chairperson or upon the instance of five (5)
members of the Board.
SEC. 24. Proceedings of the Board. – The proceedings of the Board shall be governed by the
following rules:
(a) Notice of Meetings – The Board Secretary shall distribute to all members of the Board
the notice of meeting, together with the discussion materials, at least three (3) working days prior
to the scheduled meeting;
(b) Quorum – In determining the existence of a quorum, the Board shall adopt the simple
majority rule or one-half (1/2) of the total filled Board seats plus one (1);
(c) Voting – For the approval of any policy requiring the disbursement of at least one
hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) of the OWWA Fund, an affirmative vote of the absolute
majority of all the members shall be required. For the approval of all other policies, an affirmative
vote of a majority of the members present constituting a quorum shall be necessary;
(d) Attendance in Board Meetings – Board members are responsible for attending all
Board meetings. The ex officio members of the Board of Trustees may designate in writing their
permanent alternate who shall have voting power. The Board shall install teleconferencing
facilities in order to muster a quorum during Board meetings;
(e) Presiding Officer – The Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the Board. In the
absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall preside;
(f) Board Resolution – All decisions of the Board shall be expressed in the form of
Resolutions and shall take effect upon adoption and signing by all the members present, subject
to requisite publication, as may be required by existing laws, rules and regulations; Provided, That
resolutions may be modified or superseded by another resolution; and
(g) Records Management and Archiving of Board Documents – The Board Secretary shall
ensure a complete and thorough recording of all proceedings during a Board meeting. The
minutes of the previous meeting shall be made available for approval during the succeeding
scheduled Board meeting.
The minutes of the meeting shall contain the attendance, business arising from the
minutes of the previous meeting, agreements reached, corresponding resolutions, other items
noted or discussed, and instructions issued by the Board.
All minutes of meetings and Board Resolutions, tape recordings, and other documents
pertaining to the business of the Board shall be kept and archived pursuant to standard records
management systems, procedures and shall be made accessible to the public at all times.
CHAPTER VII
OWWA SECRETARIAT
SEC. 25. The OWWA Secretariat. – The OWWA Secretariat shall be the implementing arm
of the OWWA.
SEC. 26. Duties and Responsibilities of the OWWA Secretariat. – The OWWA Secretariat
shall perform and assume the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) To implement all decisions and policies promulgated by the Board including
investment and fund management;
(b) To manage programs and implement the delivery of welfare services to its members,
both local and overseas, supported by advocacy and information campaign programs;
(c) To formulate medium-term development plans responsive to the welfare, needs, and
demands of member-OFWs;
(d) To submit work and financial plans for Board consideration;
(e) To provide policy analyses and recommendations for Board consideration;
(f) To conduct continuing research and studies, including impact evaluation, in aid of
policy and program development;
(g) To regularly monitor and conduct assessment and evaluation of organizational
performance;
(h) To establish and maintain an on-line management information system, which shall
include a database on membership;
(i) To establish and maintain linkages and networks with social and institutional partners,
both local and international;
(j) To submit written quarterly reports on the assessment and evaluation of programs,
projects and services, and such other reports as maybe required by the Board;
(k) To conduct an annual planning, budgeting and organizational performance
assessment, and render the corresponding report to the Board;
(l) To submit annual reports to the Board, the Congress and the President of the
Philippines;
(m) To undertake a periodic review of programs, standards, thrusts, and policies;
(n) To perform other functions as may be instructed by the Board; and
(o) To adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 27. The OWWA Administrator. – The management and supervision of the OWWA shall
be vested in the Administrator. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat, the Administrator
shall oversee the overall operations of the Secretariat, which shall include the general supervision
and control of all its personnel and resources, and the assumption of full responsibility and
accountability thereof.
The Administrator must possess good leadership and managerial skills, and shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Administrator shall report to the President,
through the Secretary of the DOLE, and shall perform the duties and functions stated in this Act
and all the necessary and related functions of the office of the Administrator, subject to the
policies and rules prescribed by the OWWA Board.
SEC. 28. The Deputy Administrators. – Two (2) Deputy Administrators shall assist the
Administrator in the management and supervision of operations of the OWWA. There shall be
one (1) Deputy Administrator for Administration and Fund Management, and one (1) Deputy
Administrator for Operations. They shall also be appointed by the President upon the
recommendation of the Administrator. They must also possess good leadership and managerial
skills. The Board may assign specific functional responsibilities to the Deputy Administrators.
SEC. 29. Regional and On-site Welfare Offices. – The OWWA shall maintain Regional and
On-site Welfare Offices under the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) of the DOLE.
CHAPTER VIII
PERSONNEL AND STAFFING PATTERN
SEC. 30. Authority of the Board to Reorganize the Administration. – Notwithstanding the
provisions of existing laws, the OWWA Board shall conduct a management audit within one
hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act and submit to the DBM a proposed
reorganization plan of the OWWA not later than one (1) year after the audit, subject to the
limitations provided under this Act and based on the following criteria:
(a) Increased OWWA visibility from the head office to the various regional offices, and by
the appointment and assignment of personnel to positions that are purely administrative,
technical, clerical in nature, and other positions that are not actually and directly related to its
operation and administration; and
(b) Efficient and optimized delivery of OWWA services to the OFWs and their respective
families. The OWWA shall ‘endeavor to assign its representatives in every foreign post of the
Philippines to, among others, ensure the provision of services to member-OFWs and the
promotion of voluntary membership to non-members.
SEC. 31. Qualifications Upgrading Program. – The OWWA Board shall design and establish
a qualifications upgrading program for the staffing of the OWWA, in coordination with the DOLE
and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), within one hundred twenty (120) days from the
effectivity of this Act: Provided, That those who are already in the service from the effectivity of
this Act shall have, not later than five (5) years, obtained the required academic degree and/or
qualifications counted from the implementation of the qualifications upgrading program:
Provided, further, That those who are already in the service from the effectivity of this Act shall
have, not later than one (1) year, obtained the necessary CSC qualification required for the
position they are currently holding: Provided, finally, That said personnel have obtained at least a
satisfactory performance rating.
SEC. 32. New Structure and Staffing Pattern. –
(a) The new structure and staffing pattern for the OWWA shall be prescribed by the
OWWA Board and shall be submitted to the Secretary of the DBM for approval. The salaries and
benefits of all personnel shall be in accordance with existing compensation laws.
(b) The current officials and employees of the OWWA, as organized under Letter of
Instruction No. 537 and Presidential Decree No. 1694, as amended by Presidential Decree No.
1809, and renamed under Executive Order No. 126, series of 1987, and OWWA Board Resolution
No. 001, series of 2004, shall be appointed, reappointed, or transferred to the appropriate unit in
the new OWWA organizational structure, as determined by the Board, and subject to the
qualifications provided in Section 31 of this Act. There shall be no gender discrimination, no
demotion in ranks and positions and no diminution in salaries, benefits, allowances and
emoluments of all OWWA personnel.
SEC. 33. General Qualifications for Appointment. – The general qualifications for
appointment of OWN A personnel shall be in accordance with the minimum qualification
standards requirements set by the CSC. The OWWA may hire experts in actuarial studies,
information technology, finance and investment, and such other fields as may be deemed
necessary in the implementation of its programs and services.
CHAPTER IX
OWWA BENEFITS AND SERVICES
SEC. 34. Guiding Principles. – Pursuant to its mandate, the OWWA shall provide gender-
responsive reintegration programs, repatriation assistance, loan and credit assistance, on-site
workers assistance, death and disability benefits, health care benefits, education and skills
training, social services, family welfare assistance, programs and services for women migrant
workers and other appropriate programs that provide timely social and economic services.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as a limitation or denial of the right of an OFW to
avail of any benefit plan which may be adopted in the employment contract, or offered voluntarily
by employers, or by the laws of the receiving country, over and above those provided under this
Act.
SEC. 35. Benefits and Services to OFWs. –
(a) Reintegration of OFWs. – The reintegration of OFWs, taking into consideration the
needs of women migrant workers, shall be one of the core programs of the OWWA. In this regard,
and for purposes of policy and program coordination, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs
created under Republic Act No. 10022 shall be an attached office of the OWWA. It shall be headed
by an Executive Director who shall be under the supervision of the OWWA Administrator.
To be able to sustain the viability of this program, not less than ten percent (10%) of
OWWA’s collection of contribution for the immediately preceding year shall be allocated annually
for the reintegration program,
(b) Repatriation Assistance. – Consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as
amended, the OWWA shall assist the Department of Foreign Affairs in providing OFWs with
services necessary to facilitate repatriation, as may be required.
(c) Loan and Other Credit Assistance. – The OWWA shall provide low-interest loans to
member-OFWs. It shall have the authority to hire experts in finance or banking to assist in
implementing the said loan programs.
(d) Workers Assistance and On-site Services. – The OWWA shall sustain and maintain
assistance to member-OFWs in all its overseas and regional offices. Services shall be gender-
responsive and shall include information regarding the names, occupation/job categories and
addresses of the member-OFWs; legal assistance providing guidance and information on
protection of migrant rights, including the prevention of gender-based violence; developing
materials for the predeparture orientation seminars; conducting psycho-social counseling
services; conciliation services; appropriate services and intervention for victims of gender-based
violence, and outreach missions, among others. The OWWA shall likewise make competent
representations with employers, agents, and host government authorities to assist member-
OFWs in obtaining relief from grievances and work-related issues, including claims for unpaid
wages, and illegal recruitment cases among others.
(e) Social Benefits. – A member-OFW shall be covered with the following social benefits:
(1) Death and Disability Benefits:
(i) Death Benefits. – A member shall be covered with life insurance for the duration of his
or her employment contract. The coverage shall include one hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) for natural death and two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for accidental
death;
(ii) Disability and Dismemberment Benefits. – Disability and dismemberment benefits
shall be included in a member’s life insurance policy, as provided for in the impediment schedule
contained in the OWWA Manual of Systems and Procedures. The coverage is within the range of
two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00);
(iii) Total Disability Benefit. – In case of total permanent disability, a member shall be
entitled to one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00); and
(iv) Burial Benefit. – A burial benefit of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) shall be
provided in case of the member’s death.
Based on actuarial studies, the Board may increase the amount of the abovementioned
benefits.
(2) Health Care Benefits. – Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, the OWWA
shall develop and implement health care programs for the benefit of member-OFWs and their
families, taking into consideration the health care needs of women as provided for in Republic
Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, and other relevant laws.
(3) Education and Training Benefits. – A member, or the member’s designated beneficiary,
may avail any of the following scholarship programs, subject to a selection process and
accreditation of participating institutions:
(i) Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program. – For technical or vocational training
scholarship;
(ii) Education for Development Scholarship Program. – For baccalaureate programs; and
(iii) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program. – To ensure the competitive advantage of Filipino
seafarers in meeting competency standards, as required by the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, treaties and
agreements, sea-based members shall be entitled to one upgrading program for every three (3)
membership contributions.
The annual scholarship lists of all these programs shall be submitted to the Board.
SEC. 36. New Programs, Interactive Website and Extension of Services. – The OWWA shall
continue to develop and implement new programs to meet new OFW needs and requirements as
they arise, and to assess the effectiveness of existing services and benefits in serving the welfare
of OFWs.
The OWWA shall also maintain an interactive website to collect OFW feedbacks,
comments, suggestions, and complaints on existing programs and services.
The OWWA may also extend appropriate programs or services to non-members, as may
be determined by the Board.
CHAPTER X
THE OWWA TRUST FUND
SEC. 37. The OWWA Fund. – The Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers created under Letter
of Instruction No. 537 and Presidential Decree No. 1694, as amended by Presidential Decree No.
1809, is hereinafter referred to as the OWWA Fund. The OWWA Fund is a private fund held in
trust by the OWWA. Being a trust fund, no portion thereof or any of its income, dividends or
earnings shall accrue to the general fund of the National Government. Neither shall any amount
or portion thereof be conjoined with government money, nor revert to the National Government.
In the same manner, it is exempted from the “one fund doctrine” of the government.
SEC. 38. Purpose of the OWWA Fund. – The OWWA Fund can only be used for the purposes
for which it was created, that is, to serve the welfare of member-OFWs and their families which
shall include the financing of core programs and services of the OWWA.
No funds shall be withdrawn from the OWWA Fund to respond, aid, supplement, or in any
manner augment any required expenditure by other government agencies.
SEC. 39. Source of the OWWA Fund. – The OWWA Fund is the sum total of the amounts
under the management and fiscal administration of the OWWA Board and the Secretariat,
including the twenty-five US dollars (US$25.00) contributions that shall accrue to the Fund as
fees, investment and interest income, and income from other sources.
SEC. 40. Disbursement of the OWWA Fund. – Any provision of existing law to the contrary
notwithstanding, all incomes generated by the OWWA shall, upon their collection, be retained by
the OWWA and disbursed at the discretion of the Board for providing services and other benefits
of the OWWA general membership and their families.
SEC. 41. Trustees of the Fund. – The Board is designated as the trustee of the OWWA Fund.
It is bound by a fiduciary duty to manage the Fund with extraordinary diligence and with utmost
skill, care and judiciousness.
SEC. 42. Transparency. – The OWWA Fund shall be managed with full transparency and
full public disclosure. The OWWA shall make available all records of how the funds are utilized,
disbursed, and invested, in accordance with existing laws.
SEC. 43. Reporting of the OWWA Fund Collection and Utilization. – Within fifteen (15) days
after receipt of audited reports from the COA, the OWWA Board of Trustees shall submit to the
Congress and the President of the Philippines a report showing the total collections of, and the
disbursements from, the OWWA Fund and shall publish the electronic copy of the report and
make them available online, in a format that is searchable, accessible and useful to the public.
CHAPTER XI
INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION: SAFEGUARDS
SEC. 44. Safeguards of the OWWA Fund; Acquired Assets; Unredeemed Investments. –
(a) The OWWA Fund shall be managed and expended in accordance with the purposes
stipulated in this Act and safeguarded against any possible loss and misuse.
The OWWA shall ensure an appropriate growth rate in the Fund sufficient to sustain the
growing needs of member-OFWs. It shall periodically conduct an inventory of its investment
instruments and ensure that they are properly kept at a government bank under a custodianship
agreement.
A monthly report on all investment schedules showing the interest rates, yields, discount
rates, and other relevant data, shall be submitted to the Board.
(b) The OWWA shall administer all properties, acquired or foreclosed.
To ensure that the properties are safeguarded and preserved, the same must be properly
accounted for and documented, reinspected, reappraised, and insured.
An asset development/disposal plan shall be submitted by the Administrator for the
consideration of the Board.
Foreclosed properties shall be registered as OWWA assets within one (1) month after
foreclosure.
(c) Unredeemed investments and other receivables shall be inventoried semi-annually
and corresponding redemption plan shall be submitted to tide Board. All receivables shall be
supported by documents appropriately acknowledged by the accountable party.
SEC. 45. General Investment Policy. – Upon approval of the Board, all OWWA investments
shall be placed only in government securities and bonds which provide optimum earnings,
liquidity and protection of the Fund. Portfolio management of investible funds shall be
outsourced to GFIs.
SEC. 46. Examination and Valuation of the Funds. – The OWWA shall make a periodic
actuarial examination and valuation of its funds in accordance with accepted actuarial principles.
CHAPTER XII
FISCAL AND BUDGET POLICY: MANAGEMENT OF OWWA FUND
SEC. 47. Budget for Benefits and Services. – The annual budget for benefits and services to
OWWA members and their families shall be sourced from the OWWA funds.
SEC. 48. Budget Preparation and Approval. – In preparing the annual budget for benefits
and services, the OWWA shall follow the national government budget system, format and cycle.
The Board shall approve the annual budget, by a majority vote of all its members.
SEC. 49. Reenacted Budget. – In case the proposed annual budget sourced from the OWWA
Fund has not been approved by the Board at the start of the year, the OWWA shall operate within
the budget level of the previous year allocated on a month-to-month basis. All savings realized in
the previous year shall be deducted from the current year’s budget.
SEC. 50. Budget Realignment. – Realignment of funds sourced from the OWWA Fund
including adjustments in targets shall be submitted to the Board for approval. Similarly, in the
event that extraordinary circumstances may occur which require sourcing of additional funds
from the OWWA Fund beyond the coverage of the approved budget, the same shall be submitted
to the Board for approval.
SEC. 51. Branch Accounting System; Financial Reports; Auditing Procedures; Annual
Reports. – The OWWA Regional Units shall maintain their respective books of accounts which
shall be consolidated by the central office.
The OWWA shall install sound internal control and monitoring systems and submit
quarterly prescribed Financial Statements to the COA, such as income statement, balance sheet,
and cash flow as prescribed in post auditing reports by the COA.
The OWWA Secretariat shall submit a monthly fund utilization report to the Board, copies
of which shall be made available to Congress. It shall also submit an Annual Report on its overall
performance for the previous year within the first sixty (60) days of the following year to the
OWWA Board, the Congress and the President of the Philippines, through the DBM.
SEC. 52. Chart of Accounts. – The OWWA shall adopt the appropriate and standard chart
of accounts as prescribed by the COA
CHAPTER XIII
APPROPRIATION FROM THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
SEC. 53. Appropriation from the National Government. – The amount needed to carry out
the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current operative budget
sourced from the internal funds of the OWWA. Thereafter, such lump sum representing the
responsibility of the National Government for the continued operations and maintenance of the
OWWA shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Congress shall annually appropriate the necessary amount to meet the funding
requirement for personal services (PS) and the maintenance and other operating expenses
(MOOE) of the OWWA. Nothing in this Act shall prevent the National Government from allocating
funds for the operation or implementation of any of the programs or services stated herein,
including the budget for capital outlay (CO).
CHAPTER XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 54. Rebates for Long-time Members. – In recognition of the contribution of long-time
members to the OWWA Fund, the OWWA shall develop and implement a program for the grant
of rebates or some form of financial assistance to OFWs who have been members of the OWWA
for at least ten (10) years and who, along with their families, have not availed of any service or
benefit from the OWWA. The provision and the amount of rebates shall be based on actuarial
study commissioned by the OWWA for this purpose.
SEC. 55. Procurement System. – The OWWA procurement system shall be governed by
Republic Act No. 9184, also known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.
SEC. 56. Exemption from Tax, Legal Process and Lien. – All laws to the contrary
notwithstanding, the OWWA and all its assets and properties, all contributions collected and all
accruals thereto and income or investment earnings therefrom as well as all supplies, equipment,
papers or documents shall be exempt from any tax, assessment, fee, charge, or customs or import
duty. All benefit payments made by the OWWA shall likewise be exempt from all kinds of taxes,
fees or charges, and shall not be liable to attachments, garnishments, levy or seizure by or under
any legal or equitable process, either before or after receipt by the person or persons entitled
thereto, except to pay any debt of the member to the OWWA. No tax measure of whatever nature
enacted shall apply to the OWWA, unless this section is expressly, specifically and categorically
revoked or repealed by law and a provision is enacted to substitute or replace the exemption
referred to herein. Any tax assessment imposed against the OWWA shall be null and void.
SEC. 57. Transitory Provision. – All facilities, equipment, supplies, records, files,
appropriations and funds under the OWWA, as organized under Letter of Instruction No. 537 and
Presidential Decree No. 1694, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1809, and renamed under
Executive Order No. 126, series of 1987, shall remain with the OWWA.
Current officials and employees of the OWWA shall continue to draw their salaries,
benefits and emoluments from the OWWA Fund until such time, but not later than one (1) year
from the effectivity of this Act, that the corresponding funds from the National Government shall
have been appropriated and released to the OWWA.
SEC. 58. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the present OWWA Board shall promulgate the rules and regulations
implementing the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant
to this section shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.
SEC. 59. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 60. Repealing Clause. – Letter of Instruction No. 537, Presidential Decree No. 1694
and Presidential Decree No. 1809 are hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are likewise repealed.
SEC. 61. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON (Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

President of the Senate Speaker of the House
of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 4990 and Senate Bill No. 2955 was
finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on February 2, 2016.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES (Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General
Approved: MAY 10 2016
(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

AN ACT MANDATING THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA) TO
DEVELOP, PUBLISH, DISSEMINATE AND UPDATE A HANDBOOK ON THE RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MIGRANT WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS
FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995", AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Handbook for OFWs Act of 2018".
SEC. 2. Creating a Handbook for Overseas Filipino Workers. - The handbook for overseas
Filipino workers, known in this Act as "Handbook", shall be created and issued to every land-
based and sea-based worker free of charge. It shall serve as a ready reference for migrant workers
when they need to assert their rights and responsibilities. It shall also deal with key issues that
they need to know in order to maintain decent employment conditions overseas.
The contents of the Handbook shall be written in English with translations in local
languages as may be necessary.
SEC. 3. Objectives of the Handbook. ~ The objectives of creating a Handbook are as follows:
(a) To empower every overseas Filipino worker (OFW) by making them fully aware of
their rights and responsibilities;
(b) To complement the worker education program of various agencies;
(c) To provide a basic information on the labor and living conditions in the country of
their destination;
(d) To make the workers well aware of the benefits and drawbacks of working overseas;
and
(e) To provide necessary information for their reintegration into the Philippine society.
SEC. 4. Amendment. - Subparagraph (b.l) of paragraph (b) of Section 23 of Republic Act

No. 8042, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 23. Role of Government Agencies. - The following government agencies shall perform
the following to promote the welfare and protect the rights of migrant workers and, as far as
applicable, all overseas Filipinos:
"(a) Department of Foreign Affairs — x x x
"(b) Department of Labor and Employment - The Department of Labor and Employment
shall see to it that labor and social welfare laws in the foreign countries are fairly applied to
migrant workers and whenever applicable, to other overseas Filipinos including the grant of legal
assistance and the referral to proper medical centers or hospitals;
"(b.1) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - x x x
"In addition to its powers and functions, the Administration shall inform migrant workers
not only of their rights as workers but also of their rights as human beings, instruct and guide the
workers how to assert their rights and provide the available mechanism to redress violation of
their rights.
"The Administration is hereby mandated to develop, publish, disseminate and update

periodically a Handbook on the rights and responsibilities of migrant workers as provided by
Philippine laws and the existing labor and social laws of the countries of destination that will
protect and guarantee the rights of migrant workers. The Handbook shall be written in simple
words that can be easily understood with translation in local language as may be necessary.
"It shall also be responsible for the implementation, in partnership with other law
enforcement agencies, of an intensified program against illegal recruitment activities. For this
purpose, the POEA shall provide comprehensive gender-sensitive Pre-employment Orientation
Seminars (PEOS) that will discuss topics not only on the prevention of illegal recruitment but also
on the content of the Handbook on the rights and responsibilities of migrant workers.
"x x x."
SEC. 5. Implementing Agencies. — The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration

(POEA), in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Inter-Agency
Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA), is mandated to implement this Act.
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the continuous publication,

distribution and update of the Handbook shall be taken from the appropriations of the POEA.
Thereafter, the amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be provided for in
the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules or regulations that are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid,
such holding shall not affect other provisions not affected thereby.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette and in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (Sgd.) VICENTE C. SOTTO III

of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 192 and House Bill No. 8110 was passed by
the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 11, 2018 and December 12, 2018,
respectively.
(Sgd.) DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING (Sgd.) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA
Acting Secretary General Secretary of the Senate
Approved: FEB 22 2019
(Sgd.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

House Bills and Resolutions on OFWs /
Migrant Workers
HOUSE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON MIGRANT WORKERS
Keyword used: OFW

Retrieved as of July 18, 2019 from http://www.congress.gov.ph/legis/
17th Congress (36)
HB00227
[History] [Text As Filed]
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (DOFW),
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: SINGSON, ERIC D.
Main Referral: GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION
Status: Pending with the Committee on GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION since 2016-07-26
HB00822
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (DOFW),
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: YAP, ARTHUR C.
HB01028
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR IMMEDIATE
DEPENDENTS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs), BOTH SEA-BASED AND LAND-BASED,
WHO DIED OR SUFFERED PERMANENT DISABILITIES WHILE WORKING ABROAD OR OVERSEAS
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Principal Author/s: MANALO, JESULITO A.
Main Referral: OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS
Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS since 2016-08-01
HB01672
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL HOSPITAL FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS) AND
THEIR DEPENDENTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: REVILLA, STRIKE B.
Main Referral: HEALTH
Mother Bill Status: Approved by the House on 2019-06-03, transmitted to the Senate on 2019-
06-04 and received by the Senate on 2019-06-04
Status: Substituted by HB09202
HB01791
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR DISTRESSED OVERSEAS FILIPINO
WORKERS (OFWs)
Principal Author/s: DE JESUS, EMMI A.; BROSAS, ARLENE D.;
HB02187
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN OFW AND SEAFARERS HOSPITAL WITHIN CENTRAL LUZON AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: ROBES, FLORIDA "RIDA" P.
HB02334
AN ACT ESTABLISHING DEPARTMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (DOFW), DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: COJUANGCO, CARLOS O.
HB02813
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL HEADS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO ESTABLISH 'OFW FAMILY
HELP DESKS' IN THEIR OFFICES
Main Referral: LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Status: Pending with the Committee on LOCAL GOVERNMENT since 2016-08-17
HB06519
AN ACT CREATING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) SOVEREIGN FUND
HB07228
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF OFW DEPENDENTS BY SETTING UP FOR THEM
A SPECIAL PENSION FUND IN THE EVENT OF INCOME LOSS DUE TO DEATH OR DISABILITY
Principal Author/s: CASTELO, WINSTON "WINNIE"
HB07913
AN ACT ESTABLISHING OWWA OFW CENTERS IN EVERY PROVINCE AND REGION OF THE
COUNTRY PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: SAVELLANO, DEOGRACIAS VICTOR B.
HB09025
[History] [Committee Report] [Text As Engrossed]
AN ACT CREATING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) SOVEREIGN FUND
Principal Author/s: MANALO, JESULITO A.; CASTELO, WINSTON "WINNIE"; SAVELLANO,
DEOGRACIAS VICTOR B.; VELASCO-CATERA, TRICIA NICOLE Q.; SALO, RON P.; VELARDE,
MARIANO MICHAEL JR. M.; BERTIZ, ANICETO "JOHN" III D.; TAN, ANGELINA "HELEN" D.L. M.D.;
VIOLAGO, MICAELA S.; REVILLA, STRIKE B.; DEL MAR, RAUL V.; DATOL, FRANCISCO JR. G.;
CAMINERO, WILFREDO S.; CALDERON, PETER JOHN D.; ARENAS, ROSE MARIE "BABY" J.; CUEVA,
LEO RAFAEL M.; PANCHO, GAVINI "APOL" C.; GONZALEZ, FERNANDO V.; TEJADA, JOSE "PING-
PING" I.; MENDOZA, RAYMUND DEMOCRITO C.; MONTORO, TEODORO "TED" G.; GATCHALIAN,
WES; GARIN, SHARON S.; TUPAS, RAUL "BOBOY" C.; SUANSING, ESTRELLITA B.; BOLILIA,
LIANDA B.; ZUBIRI, MANUEL F.; UMALI, REYNALDO V.; AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY, MILAGROS;
PADUANO, JOSEPH STEPHEN S.;
Main Referral: RULES
Status: Approved by the House on 2019-05-20, transmitted to the Senate on 2019-05-21 and
received by the Senate on 2019-05-21
HB09149
AN ACT ENHANCING THE FINANCIAL LITERACY OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs),
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: SALCEDA, JOEY SARTE
HR00014
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEE (S) TO INQUIRE IN AID OF
LEGISLATION INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 8, SERIES
OF 2014, ISSUED BY THE MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (MIAA)
INTEGRATING THE PHP550 AIRPORT TERMINAL FEE IN THE AIRLINE TICKETS OF ALL
INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS, INCLUDING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS)
Principal Author/s: BERTIZ, ANICETO "JOHN" III D.
Main Referral: TRANSPORTATION
Status: Pending with the Committee on TRANSPORTATION since 2016-09-05
HR00123
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE/S TO CONDUCT AN
INVESTIGATION ON THE CURRENT STATE AND CONDITION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWS) IN THE MIDDLE EAST ESPECIALLY THOSE STRANDED AND THOSE AFFECTED BY THE
RECENT OIL PRICE COLLAPSE IN THE REGION, AND TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE
LEGISLATION
Principal Author/s: EVARDONE, BEN P.
HR00220
RESOLUTION ASKING THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY INTO THE PHP530-MILLION FRAUD INVOLVING THE EMBASSY OF
KUWAIT AND A PRIVATE COMPANY KNOWN AS WINSTON Q8 CERTIFICATION SOLUTIONS, INC.
WITH KUWAIT-BOUND OFWS AS VICTIMS
Principal Author/s: SALCEDA, JOEY SARTE
HR00289
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE RAPE
AND SUBSEQUENT DEATH OF OFW IRMA EDLOY IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Principal Author/s: GATCHALIAN, WES
HR00367
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE
ADMINISTRATION TO DRAW UP AND SUBMIT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A
COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO AID OFWs ARRESTED ABROAD AND CIRCUMVENT THE
INCIDENTS OF OFWs FALLING PREYS TO THE OPERATIONS OF DRUG SYNDICATES
HR00462
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN
INQUIRY, ON THE DEATH OF FILIPINA OVERSEAS WORKER IRMA JOTOJOT WITH A VIEW TO
STRENGTHEN OUR LAWS FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS AND
WELFARE OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
Principal Author/s: DE JESUS, EMMI A.; BROSAS, ARLENE D.; TINIO, ANTONIO L.; CASTRO,
FRANCE L.; ELAGO, SARAH JANE I.;
HR00625
RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS' AFFAIRS TO
CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE INQUIRY ON AND ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFORTS OF THE
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWs) AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, WITH THE AIM TO
DEVELOP APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ASSIST OFWs IN DISTRESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Principal Author/s: DE JESUS, EMMI A.; BROSAS, ARLENE D.; ZARATE, CARLOS ISAGANI T.; TINIO,
ANTONIO L.; CASTRO, FRANCE L.; CASILAO, ARIEL "KA AYIK" B.; ELAGO, SARAH JANE I.;
HR00829
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES URGING
PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. DUTERTE TO SEEK EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY FOR THE CASE OF FILIPINA
OVERSEAS WORKER JENNIFER ARESGADO DALQUEZ TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
ARAB EMIRATES TO SAVE HER FROM DEATH SENTENCE WITH A VIEW TO STRENGTHEN
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS AND
WELFARE OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
Principal Author/s: DE JESUS, EMMI A.; BROSAS, ARLENE D.; ARENAS, ROSE MARIE "BABY" J.;
ZARATE, CARLOS ISAGANI T.; CASILAO, ARIEL "KA AYIK" B.; TINIO, ANTONIO L.; CASTRO,
FRANCE L.; ELAGO, SARAH JANE I.;
HR01135
A RESOLUTION TO INVESTIGATE CASES OF ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT OF OFWs/DOMESTIC
WORKERS, AND ESTABLISH ACCOUNTABILITY AMONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS
REVIEW OUR PRESENT SYSTEM, LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO DETERMINE THE WEAKNESSES
OF OUR SYSTEMS IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THESE VULNERABLE WORKERS, CONSIDERING
NEW APPROACHES SUCH AS BAN ON THEIR DEPLOYMENT, AMONG OTHERS, IN THE INTEREST
OF PROTECTING THEIR WELFARE, AND IN AID OF LEGISLATION, AMONG OTHERS
HR01276
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HERE AND THROUGH
OUR DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION IN CYPRUS, OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES, AND THE
SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT WHO SITS IN THE SSS
BOARD, TO RESPECTIVELY SUBMIT A REPORT ON THE REASON FOR THEIR INACTION ON THE
7-YEAR OLD PETITION OF OFWS IN CYPRUS TO INITIATE THE FORGING OF A BILATERAL
SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES AND
CYPRUS, WITH THE END IN VIEW OF FINALLY GETTING THE DESIRED AGREEMENT SOONEST,
AND IN AID OF LEGISLATION
HR01340
A RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO
INSTITUTIONALIZE A BIENNIAL OFW SUMMIT IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO SERVE AS VENUE TO
DISCUSS THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF OUR OFWs REGARDING THEIR RIGHTS AND WELFARE
Principal Author/s: BATOCABE, RODEL M.
HR01449
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID
OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE RECENT REPORTS ON THE "BUDOL-BUDOL GANGS" THAT TARGET
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AND OFW RETIREES
Principal Author/s: BENITEZ, ALFREDO "ALBEE" B.
Main Referral: PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY
Status: Pending with the Committee on PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY since 2017-11-28
HR01500
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEE(S) TO INVESTIGATE, IN
AID OF LEGISLATION, THE UNLAWFUL AND ONEROUS IMPOSITIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF
HEALTH OF THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC) ON THE PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL
EXAMINATION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
HR01617
RESOLUTION TO LOOK INTO THE FULFILLMENT BY THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT OFFICES
AND OFFICERS OF THEIR LEGALLY MANDATED ROLES AND DUTIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF OUR LAWS ON OFWs, TO PROTECT OUR OFWs, PARTICULARLY ON THEIR DEPLOYMENT TO
NON- OR PARTIALLY COMPLYING COUNTRIES TO THEIR DETRIMENT AND TO URGE THE SAME
TO COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE WILL BE
AFFECTED WORKERS, ON THE ERADICATION OF FEARS OF RESORT TO ILLEGAL RECRUITERS
BY THE OFWs WHEN A BAN ON DEPLOYMENT IS NECESSARILY BEING CONSIDERED, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES, IN AID OF LEGISLATION
HR01694
INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE OF JOANNA DEMAFELIS, WHO WAS KILLED BY HER SYRIAN
AND LEBANESE EMPLOYERS A YEAR AGO AND WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND INSIDE A FREEZER
IN AN ABANDONED APARTMENT IN KUWAIT ONLY RECENTLY, AND OTHER ABUSES AGAINST
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAT SOMETIMES END IN
DEATHS AND TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION
Principal Author/s: VIOLAGO, MICAELA S.
HR01738
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT A REVIEW
ON THE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING OUR OFWs AMIDST
REPORTS ON ABUSES AND DEATHS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE INTERVENTIONS THAT WOULD
PRESERVE AND ADVANCE THEIR RIGHTS AND DIGNITY
Principal Author/s: ALEJANO, GARY C.
HR01750
A RESOLUTION FOR CONGRESS, THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS
AFFAIRS, TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE PROPER
IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 4 OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS ACT, AS AMENDED, AND TO
CALL ON THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT, AND THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW
THE PROTECTIONS GUARANTEED BY EACH OFW DESTINATION COUNTRY
HR01829
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND COMMITTEE ON
OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS, TO CONDUCT A JOINT INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION TO
STRENGTHEN THE PROTECTION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS ("OFWs") AND CLARIFY
THE MANDATES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ("DFA") AND DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ("DOLE") TO RESCUE THEM IN LIGHT OF THE DIPLOMATIC
PROTESTS OF KUWAIT AGAINST THE PHILIPPINES, THE ARREST OF FILIPINO NATIONALS, AND
THE DECLARATION OF THE PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR AS PERSONA NON-GRATA ARISING
FROM THE RESCUE OF DISTRESSED OFWs IN KUWAIT
HR02015
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEE(S) TO CONDUCT AN
INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND DELAYS IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE iDOLE OFW CARD
Status: Pending with the Committee on RULES since 2018-07-30
HR02354
INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE OF MADELYN B. ASUNCION, WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND
FLOATING IN PENGALAN RIVER IN MELALAP, MALAYSIA BY A PLANTATION WORKER WHO
REPORTED IT TO MALAYSIAN AUTHORITIES IN A "POSSIBLE HOMICIDE" CASE, AND OTHER
ABUSES AGAINST OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) IN MALAYSIA THAT SOMETIMES END
IN DEATHS AND TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION
Principal Author/s: VIOLAGO, MICAELA S.
HR02469
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO FOR RECENTLY
CONCLUDING SERIES OF LINGAP SA MAMAMAYAN (AID FOR HUMANITY) IN TAIWAN,
THAILAND, MALAYSIA, MACAU AND HONG KONG EXTENDING THEIR OUTREACH PROGRAM TO
OUR OFWs IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
PS00029
SAD PLIGHT OF OFWs
PS00157
DOF's PLAN TO CONVERT THE PHILIPPINE POSTAL SAVINGS BANK INTO A SUBSIDIARY BANK
FOR OFWs
Main Referral: BANKS AND FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Status: Pending with the Committee on BANKS AND FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES since 2017-
01-24
16th Congress (35)
HB00132
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DEPARTMENT FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (DOFW),
PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: VILLAR, MARK A.
HB00132
PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: VILLAR, MARK A.
HB01029
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS FOR THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS
OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
Principal Author/s: ROMULO, ROMAN T.
Status: Pending with the Committee on HEALTH since 2013-07-29
HB01933
Principal Author/s: ARROYO, DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL
HB02190
AN ACT REQUIRING AMBASSADORS/HEADS OF MISSION TO PERFORM AND/OR DISCHARGE
THE DUTIES OF SURROGATE PARENTS IN TAKING CARE OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWs) IN THEIR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Principal Author/s: SEÑERES, ROY V.
HB02238
Principal Author/s: MERCADO-REVILLA, LANI
HB02579
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL HEADS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO ESTABLISH 'OFW FAMILY
HELP DESKS' IN THEIR OFFICES
HB02942
AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE OFW BANK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: REVILLA, JUAN JOHNNY R.
Main Referral: BANKS AND FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Status: Pending with the Committee on BANKS AND FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES since 2013-
09-24
HB03070
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR IMMEDIATE
DEPENDENTS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) WHO DIED OR SUFFERED
PERMANENT DISABILITIES WHILE WORKING ABROAD OR OVERSEAS AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR
HB03133
WORKERS (OFWs)
Principal Author/s: ILAGAN, LUZVIMINDA C.
HB03576
AN ACT AUTHORIZING AMBASSADORS, CONSUL GENERALS, CHIEFS OF MISSIONS OR CHARGE
D' AFFAIRS TO ORDER AND DIRECT AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER (OFW) TO SEND
SUPPORT TO HIS OR HER LEGAL DEPENDENTS AS REQUIRED BY EXISTING LAWS
HB03610
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FREE MEDICAL AND HOSPITALIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
THE POOR AND FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) WHO ARE AFFLICTED WITH
CANCER OR KIDNEY DISEASE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
HB03642
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 2 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE (ACT NO. 3815 AS AMENDED)
EXPANDING THE CRIMINAL JURISDICTION OF THE PHILIPPINE COURTS TO OFFENSES
COMMITTED AGAINST OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW)
Principal Author/s: AGGABAO, GIORGIDI B.
HB03679
AN ACT GRANTING SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) IN THE
PAYMENT OF SSS, PAG-IBIG AND PHILHEALTH PREMIUMS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
HB05539
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) GLOBAL IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY LEGITIMATE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
Principal Author/s: REVILLA, JUAN JOHNNY R.
HB06156
AN ACT INCREASING THE EXEMPTION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWS) BALIKBAYAN
BOXES AND PERSONAL EFFECTS FROM TAX AND CUSTOMS DUTIES, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (NIRC) AND THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMS
CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (TCC)
Principal Author/s: BRIONES, NICANOR M.
Main Referral: WAYS AND MEANS
Status: Pending with the Committee on WAYS AND MEANS since 2015-09-23
HB06503
AN ACT DECLARING EVERY 20TH OF DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR AS 'OVERSEAS FILIPINO
WORKERS' (OFW) DAY
Principal Author/s: LEONARDIA, EVELIO "BING"
HR00052
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS,
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT AND
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT A JOINT INVESTIGATION ON THE VIOLENT
DISPERSAL OF OFWs IN THE TENT CITY AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN RIYADH, SAUDI
ARABIA
HR00053
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONDEMNING
IN THE STRONGEST TERMS POSSIBLE THE JUNE 30 TO JULY 4 VIOLENT DISPERSAL OF OFWS
IN TENT CITY IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA AND STRONGLY URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO RECALL SAUDI
AMBASSADOR EZZEDRIN TAGO, LABOR ATTACHE ADAM MUSA AND WELFARE OFFICER
ABDULLAH UMPA FOR ORDERING THE SAUDI POLICE TO CONDUCT THE DISPERSAL
HR00095
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS,
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT AND
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT A JOINT COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION ON
THE CRACKDOWN OF OFWs IN THE MIDDLE EAST, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA, SAUDI ARABIA
AND IN SUCH OTHER HOST COUNTRIES WHERE A SIMILAR ACTION HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED
OR ABOUT TO BE IMPLEMENTED AND TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE OFWs AS WELL AS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
PUNISHING NEGLIGENT PHILIPPINE EMBASSY/POST OFFICIALS AND DRAW OUT
CONTINGENCY MEASURES FOR THEIR RETURN AND REABSORPTION IN THE COUNTRY
HR00443
A RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEES ON LABOR, ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND ON
OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE
REPORTED EXCESSIVE COLLECTION OF PROCESSING FEES, CONTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER
PAYMENTS FROM OFWS, BY THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION,
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE
ADMINISTRATION
HR00444
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND ON JUSTICE TO
CONDUCT AN INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE PLIGHT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO
WORKERS (OFWS) WHO ARE LANGUISHING IN JAILS ALL OVER THE WORLD, FOCUSING ON
THOSE IN DEATH ROW, RECOMMEND MEASURES THEREON INCLUDING THE HIRING OF
SERVICES OF COMPETENT LAWYERS AS PROVIDED FOR IN R.A. 8042
HR00687
RESOLUTION URGING THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY INTO THE
VARIOUS COMPLAINTS OF OFW ON THE ISSUANCE OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
(OECs) OR TRAVEL EXIT CLEARANCE
Principal Author/s: TIENG, IRWIN C.
HR00697
RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO DIRECT THE
PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY (POEA), OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE
ADMINISTRATION (OWWA) AND MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY (MARINA) TO WAIVE
PROCESSING, MEMBERSHIP, MEDICARE, SEAFARER'S REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND
SEAMAN BOOK FEES TO OFWs AND SEAMEN IN PROVINCES AFFECTED BY THE TYPHOON
SANTI, THE NOVEMBER 2013 7.2-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE, AND SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA
FOR ONE CALENDAR YEAR
Principal Author/s: DE JESUS, EMMI A.
HR00699
A RESOLUTION CONVEYING THE COLLECTIVE FELICITATIONS OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE TRIUMPH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINA WORKER ROSE 'OSANG'
FOSTANES WHOSE PHENOMENAL TALENT BROUGHT HONOR TO THE COUNTRY AND
SIGNIFICANTLY RAISED THE IMAGE OF ALL OFWs WORLDWIDE
HR00885
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO
CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE SO-CALLED 'MONOPO-POLITICS'
(PRACTICE OF MONOPOLY AND ITS POLITICS) BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) FOR ITS QUESTIONABLE ACQUIESCENCE TO THE PARTNERSHIP AND
FORMATION OF A CONSORTIUM BY A FEW SELECTED AND FAVORED FILIPINO RECRUITMENT
AGENCIES AND THEIR SAUDI ARABIAN COUNTERPARTS TO MANAGE AND CONTROL THE
DEPLOYMENT OF OFWS TO SAUDI ARABIA
Principal Author/s: GATCHALIAN, SHERWIN T.
HR01918
A RESOLUTION URGING MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (MIAA) TO
COMPLETELY UPHOLD THE RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW OF THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWs) TO BE TOTALLY EXEMPTED FROM PAYMENT OF TRAVEL TAX AND AIRPORT FEE BY
IMMEDIATELY RECALLING THE MIAA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 8, SERIES OF 2014, UNTIL
AFTER MIAA AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE FOUND THE
APPROPRIATE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT WILL AUTOMATICALLY EXEMPT THE OVERSEAS
FILIPINO WORKERS AS WELL AS OTHER LOCALLY-RECOGNIZED EXEMPT PASSENGERS FROM
THE PAYMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER SERVICE CHARGE (IPSC) OR AIRPORT
TERMINAL FEE
Principal Author/s: ABU, RANEO E.
HR02048
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION ON THE TOTALITY OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE CASE
OF MARY JANE VELOSO AND OF OTHER OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS IN DEATH ROW IN
ORDER TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT AND
SERVICES PROGRAM FOR OFWS IN DEATH ROW
HR02311
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY
IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE APPLICATION OF STRINGENT MEASURES, INCLUDING
RANDOM INSPECTIONS, ON BALIKBAYAN BOXES AND URGING THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS TO
RESORT TO X-RAY MACHINES OR OTHER EQUIPMENT IN LIEU OF RANDOM INSPECTION TO
ELIMINATE DIRECT HUMAN CONTACT OR INTERVENTION ON THE BOXES TO ENSURE THE
ABSENCE OF TAMPERING THEREBY GAINING THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE OF OUR OFWS ON
THE PROCESS
HR02341
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT
AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE REAL CAUSE OF THE DEATH OF
ROMINA VANESSA S. IGNACIO, AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER (OFW) IN HUTCHINSON,
KANSAS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Principal Author/s: BRIONES, NICANOR M.
HR02472
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE CASE OF OFW
GLORIA ORTINEZ WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY VICTIMIZED BY THE TANIM BALA SYNDICATE
OPERATING AT THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND ON THE NEED OF
ESTABLISHING LEGAL HELP DESKS FOR MIGRANT WORKERS IN OUR AIRPORTS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: ZAMORA, MARIA CARMEN S.
HR02477
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT AN
INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ALLEGED 'TANIM-BALA' SCHEME, AS WELL AS
OTHER EXTORTION ACTIVITIES DONE IN PHILIPPINE AIRPORTS THAT HAS BROUGHT
SUFFERING AND DAMAGE TO OUR AIR PASSENGERS INCLUDING OFWs, WITH THE END IN
VIEW THAT THE PERPETRATORS OF THESE EXTORTION SCHEMES BE HELD LIABLE AND
EFFECTIVELY PUT A STOP TO THESE ACTIVITIES
Principal Author/s: COLMENARES, NERI
HR02670
A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSING PROFOUND CONDOLENCES
ON THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF OFW PARTY LIST REPRESENTATIVE HONORABLE ROY V.
SEÑERES SR.
Principal Author/s: OLIVAREZ, ERIC D.
Mother Bill Status: Adopted as Resolution No. HR00268 on 2016-06-06
Status: Consolidated into HR02664
PS00127
ALLEGED EXCESSIVE COLLECTION OF FEES AND/OR PREMIUMS BY PHILHEALTH AND POEA
FROM OFWs
PS00292
EXECUTION OF OFW CARLITO LANA
15th Congress (10)
HB00606
Principal Author/s: ANGARA, JUAN EDGARDO M.
HB00964
AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (DOFW), DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: SYJUCO, AUGUSTO BOBOY, PH.D.
HB00966
AN ACT CREATING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) MEDICAL CENTER DEFINING ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
HB01244
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE AUTOMATIC REVOCATION OR CANCELLATION OF THE LICENSE
OF A PLACEMENT OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY WHICH RECRUITED OR DEPLOYED AN
UNDERAGE MIGRANT WORKER AND THE MANDATORY REFUND OF ALL FEES PAID BY
REPATRIATED MINOR OFWs, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND
OVERSEAS FILIPINO ACT OF 1995"
Principal Author/s: VILLAR, MARK AGUILAR
HB01474
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL HOSPITAL FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) AND
Principal Author/s: ARROYO, DIOSDADO 'Dato' M.
Status: Change of committee referral requested on 2011-02-15
HB01555
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS FOR THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS
OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)
HB05331
WORKERS (OFWs)
HB05841
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, CREATING OFW ADVOCATES HELP
DESK IN AIRPORT TERMINALS
Principal Author/s: FERRIOL, ABIGAEL FAYE C.
HB06324
AN ACT CREATING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) MEDICAL CENTER DEFINING ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B.
HB06637
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
14th Congress (0)
13th Congress (7)
HB00347
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE PRACTICE OF BLACKLISTING BY RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT
SERVICES THROUGH THE USE OF ANY MEANS, MECHANISMS OR LISTS WHICH INTEND TO
SPECIFICALLY PREVENT OR DETER OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs) FROM GAINING
PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT, PROVIDING FOR STIFFER PENALTIES THEREOF AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: BARINAGA, ROSELLER L.
HB00383
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF OWWA EMERGENCY REPATRIATION FUND FOR THE
REPATRIATION OF UNREGISTERED AND ILLEGAL OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs),
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 15 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042 AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
HB01618
AN ACT TO IMPOSE STIFFER PENALTIES ON GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL AND OFFICIALS
STATIONED AT VARIOUS EMBASSIES AND CONSULAR OFFICES ABROAD FOR GROSS
NEGLIGENCE TO ACT ON COMPLAINTS OF, OR TO GIVE ASSISTANCE OR RENDER SERVICE
ESPECIALLY TO DISTRESSED MIGRANT FILIPINOS AND OFWS, THEIR FAMILIES AND
DEPENDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995"
HR00003
RESOLUTION REQUESTING ON HER EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
TO IMMEDIATELY RECALL EXECUTIVE ORDER (EO) NO. 182 DATED 14 FEBRUARY, 2003
WHICH ALLOWED THE TRANSFER OF THE OFW MEDICARE FUND UNDER THE CHARGE AND
CARE OF THE OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION (OWWA) TO THE PHILIPPINE
HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH)
HR00004
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE USE AND DISBURSEMENT
OF THE OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION (OWWA) FUNDS AND TO COME UP
WITH POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF SAID FUNDS AGAINST ITS
INDISCRIMINATE DISBURSEMENT TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWs)
Status: Adopted Resolution (Pending with the committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS since
2005-02-02)
HR00017
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE
PROPOSAL OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
(MIAA) TO IMPOSE A NEW P550 AIRPORT TERMINAL FEE ON OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
AND DETERMINE MEASURES TO PROTECT OFWS
Principal Author/s: BELTRAN, CRISPIN
Status: Adopted Resolution (Pending with the committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS since
2005-02-02)
HR00020
RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
ACT OF 1995' AND LOOK INTO THE STATUS OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION TO OPTIMIZE THE
POTENTIAL OF OFWs AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES AND TO ENSURE THAT THE
SCHOLARSHIP IS EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
Principal Author/s: CASTELO-DAZA, NANETTE
HOUSE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON MIGRANT WORKERS
Keyword used: MIGRANT

Retrieved as of July 23, 2019 from http://www.congress.gov.ph/legis/
17th Congress (29)
HB00674
AN ACT EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF REPATRIATION OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS
Principal Author/s: AGLIPAY-VILLAR, EMMELINE
HB01302
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS UNDER THE
OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION, AND PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS
THEREFOR, THEREBY AMENDING SECTION 37-A OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, AS AMENDED BY
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022 ON THE COMPULSORY INSURANCE COVERAGE BY PRIVATE
INSURERS FOR AGENCY HIRED WORKERS, TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE PROMOTION OF
THE WELFARE OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS WORKERS IN
DISTRESS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
HB01330
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE PRE-
DEPARTURE ORIENTATION PROGRAM OF THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
HB01792
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE SUPREME COURT TO DESIGNATE SPECIAL COURTS FROM AMONG
EXISTING REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS IN EACH JUDICIAL REGION TO EXCLUSIVELY TRY AND
HEAR CASES INVOLVING ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT OF 1995', AS AMENDED
HB01983
AN ACT TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS OF REPATRIATION OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS
Principal Author/s: SUANSING, HORACIO JR. P.; SUANSING, ESTRELLITA B.;
HB02637
AN ACT PROVIDING MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AGENCY HIRED OVERSEAS
FOREIGN WORKERS AGAINST RISK SUSTAINED FROM WAR, INVASION, INSURRECTION,
REVOLUTION, MILITARY COUP AND TERRORISM, AMENDING SECTION 37-A OF REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 8042, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS
WORKERS ACT OF 1995
HB04073
AN ACT EXPANDING THE USE OF THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE MIGRANT WORKERS
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995', AS AMENDED
Principal Author/s: PACQUIAO, ROGELIO "RUEL" D.
HB05499
AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINO ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022,
TO STRENGTHEN THE STANDARD OF PROTECTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT WORKERS
BY CRIMINALIZING THE PRACTICE OF DECKING AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
HB05543
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT AMENDING RA
8042 (MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995)", TO FOSTER THE
IMPOSITION OF ALL EXISTING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES, TO PROMOTE A HIGHER STANDARD
OF PROTECTION AND WELFARE, INCREASING ITS PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: ROMERO, MICHAEL ODYLON L., Ph.D.; PINEDA, ENRICO A.;
HB06138
[History] [Committee Report] [Text As Filed] [Text As Engrossed]
AN ACT GRANTING TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION TO DEPENDENTS OF MARRIED OR SOLO PARENT
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 3 AND 35 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS
Principal Author/s: ALVAREZ, PANTALEON D.; FARIÑAS, RODOLFO C.; CUA, DAKILA CARLO E.;
GOMEZ, LUCY T.; MANALO, JESULITO A.; CASTELO, WINSTON "WINNIE"; SAVELLANO,
DEOGRACIAS VICTOR B.; VELASCO-CATERA, TRICIA NICOLE Q.; SALO, RON P.; VELARDE,
MARIANO MICHAEL JR. M.; BERTIZ, ANICETO "JOHN" III D.; TAN, ANGELINA "HELEN" D.L. M.D.;
VIOLAGO, MICAELA S.; REVILLA, STRIKE B.; DEL MAR, RAUL V.; DATOL, FRANCISCO JR. G.;
CAMINERO, WILFREDO S.; CALDERON, PETER JOHN D.; ARENAS, ROSE MARIE "BABY" J.; CUEVA,
LEO RAFAEL M.; PANCHO, GAVINI "APOL" C.; GONZALEZ, FERNANDO V.; TEJADA, JOSE "PING-
PING" I.; MENDOZA, RAYMUND DEMOCRITO C.; MONTORO, TEODORO "TED" G.; GATCHALIAN,
WES; GARIN, SHARON S.; TUPAS, RAUL "BOBOY" C.; SUANSING, ESTRELLITA B.; BOLILIA,
LIANDA B.; ZUBIRI, MANUEL F.; UMALI, REYNALDO V.; GONZALES, AURELIO "DONG" JR. D.;
AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY, MILAGROS; PADUANO, JOSEPH STEPHEN S.;
HB06649
AN ACT STRENGTHENING FURTHER THE PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION PROGRAM FOR
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS TO INCLUDE FINANCIAL AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995
Principal Author/s: LANETE, SCOTT DAVIES S. M.D.; GATCHALIAN, WES; MANALO, JESULITO A.;
VELARDE, MARIANO MICHAEL JR. M.; CANAMA, SABINIANO S.; VILLARIN, TOM S.; MENDOZA,
RAYMUND DEMOCRITO C.; BERTIZ, ANICETO "JOHN" III D.; GONZALES, AURELIO "DONG" JR. D.;
ARENAS, ROSE MARIE "BABY" J.; DELOSO-MONTALLA, CHERYL P.; TAN, ANGELINA "HELEN" D.L.
M.D.; SUANSING, ESTRELLITA B.; DEL MAR, RAUL V.; BATOCABE, RODEL M.; SY-ALVARADO, JOSE
ANTONIO "KUYA JONATHAN" R.; LAZATIN, CARMELO "JON" B. II; CASTELO, WINSTON
"WINNIE"; VIOLAGO, MICAELA S.; SALO, RON P.; VELASCO-CATERA, TRICIA NICOLE Q.; GARIN,
SHARON S.; RELAMPAGOS, RENE L.;
HB07124
PUBLISH, DISSEMINATE, AND UPDATE A HANDBOOK ON THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OF MIGRANT WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINO ACT OF 1995", AS AMENDED
Principal Author/s: PACQUIAO, ROGELIO "RUEL" D.
Mother Bill Status: Republic Act RA11227 enacted on 2019-02-22
HB08110
DEVELOP, PUBLISH, DISSEMINATE AND UPDATE A HANDBOOK ON THE RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MIGRANT WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF
1995," AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022
Principal Author/s: PACQUIAO, ROGELIO "RUEL" D.; MANALO, JESULITO A.; DATOL, FRANCISCO
JR. G.; GONZALEZ, FERNANDO V.; DE JESUS, EMMI A.; CAMINERO, WILFREDO S.; CALDERON,
PETER JOHN D.; TEJADA, JOSE "PING-PING" I.; VERGARA, ROSANNA "RIA" V.; CUEVA, LEO
RAFAEL M.; BERTIZ, ANICETO "JOHN" III D.; VIOLAGO, MICAELA S.; ARENAS, ROSE MARIE
"BABY" J.; MONTORO, TEODORO "TED" G.; PICHAY, PROSPERO JR. A.; CASTELO, WINSTON
"WINNIE"; SAVELLANO, DEOGRACIAS VICTOR B.; PRIMICIAS-AGABAS, MARLYN L.;
Status: Republic Act RA11227 enacted on 2019-02-22
HB08196
AN ACT GRANTING TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION TO DEPENDENTS OF MARRIED OR SOLO PARENT
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 3 AND 35 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS
Principal Author/s: SY-ALVARADO, JOSE ANTONIO "KUYA JONATHAN" R.
HB08197
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ATTACHE, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: VILLARICA, LINABELLE RUTH R.
HB08414
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ATTACHEE, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND
OVERSEAS FILIPINO ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: ALEJANO, GARY C.
HB08565
Principal Author/s: PICO, PEPITO M.
HB08588
AN ACT FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINO ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022,
FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE STANDARD OF PROTECTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT
WORKERS BY EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF COMPULSORY INSURANCE, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
HB08908
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE ATTACHÉ, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: VILLARICA, LINABELLE RUTH R.; ALEJANO, GARY C.; MANALO, JESULITO A.;
ANDAYA, ROLANDO JR. G.; VIOLAGO, MICAELA S.; GONZALES, AURELIO "DONG" JR. D.; DATOL,
FRANCISCO JR. G.; GONZALEZ, FERNANDO V.; VERGARA, ROSANNA "RIA" V.; RAMIREZ-SATO,
JOSEPHINE; TEJADA, JOSE "PING-PING" I.; SANDOVAL, FEDERICO "RICKY" II S.; DUAVIT, JOHN
MICHAEL R.; COJUANGCO, CARLOS O.; LOBREGAT, CELSO L.; SAMBAR, MARK AERON H.;
AMATONG, ISAGANI S.;
Status: Republic Act RA11299 enacted on 2019-04-17
HR00063
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEE(S) TO INQUIRE IN AID OF
LEGISLATION INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEC. 37, BOOK IX OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS
AMENDED, PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A CONGRESSIONAL MIGRANT WORKERS
SCHOLARSHIP FUND WHICH SHALL BENEFIT DESERVING MIGRANT WORKERS AND/OR THEIR
IMMEDIATE DESCENDANTS BELOW TWENTY-ONE (21) YEARS OF AGE WHO INTEND TO
PURSUE COURSES OR TRAINING PRIMARILY IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
HR00396
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT
AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 20 OF REPUBLIC
ACT OF 1995', AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022
Principal Author/s: VILLARIN, TOM S.
HR00540
RESOLUTION CALLING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS' AFFAIRS TO
CONDUCT AN IMMEDIATE INQUIRY ON THE ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT OF AND SEXUAL
HARASSMENT EXPERIENCED BY FILIPINO WOMEN WORKERS IN QATAR, AND THE POSSIBLE
INVOLVEMENT AND ALLEGED INACTION OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO RESPOND
TO THE CALLS FOR HELP OF SAID WORKERS, IN VIEW OF STRENGTHENING THE LAWS
RELATED TO THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF MIGRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS AND
WELFARE
HR00541
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS' AFFAIRS TO
CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASES OF ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT BY PHILTRUST
OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT AGENCY AGAINST AT LEAST THIRTY-TWO (32) FILIPINOS IN THE
PROVINCE OF CEBU, IN VIEW OF STRENGTHENING THE LAWS RELATED TO THE PROTECTION
AND PROMOTION OF MIGRANT WORKERS' RIGHTS AND WELFARE
HR00609
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEE(S) TO INQUIRE, IN AID OF
LEGISLATION, INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEC. 16 (D & D.2) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10022,
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS MIGRANT WORKERS
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, DIRECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO
ESTABLISH OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER HELP DESK OR KIOSK IN THEIR LOCALITIES
HR00650
[History] [Text As Filed] [Adapted Resolution/RBH]
RESOLUTION COMMENDING RAFAEL BITANGA, A MIGRANT FROM LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE,
FOR THE RECOGNITION AND AWARD RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES
YOUTH PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Principal Author/s: FARIÑAS, RODOLFO C.
Status: Adopted as Resolution No. HR00031 on 2017-01-23
HR00660
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE HOUSE COMMITTEE(S) TO INQUIRE IN AID OF
LEGISLATION INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 20 OF REPUBLIC ACT 8042
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995 AS
AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT 10022 MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SHARED
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM ON MIGRATION (SGISM)
HR01056
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT A
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, OF REPUBLIC ACT 8042 OR OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED
BY REPUBLIC ACT 10022 TO EVALUATE ITS EFFECTIVITY IN THE PROMOTION AND
PROTECTION OF FILIPINO MIGRANT'S RIGHTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND RESOLVE THE ROOT
CAUSE OF FORCED MIGRATION IN FULFILLMENT OF ARTICLE II SEC. 18 AND ARTICLE XIII SEC.
3 OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
HR01178
RESOLUTION URGING THE ASEAN MEMBER STATES TO PROMOTE FAIR AND ETHICAL
RECRUITMENT AND ABOLISH RECRUITMENT FEES FOR MIGRANT WORKERS
Principal Author/s: ARENAS, ROSE MARIE "BABY" J.
HR01750
A RESOLUTION FOR CONGRESS, THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS
AFFAIRS, TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE PROPER
IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 4 OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS ACT, AS AMENDED, AND TO
CALL ON THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT, AND THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW
THE PROTECTIONS GUARANTEED BY EACH OFW DESTINATION COUNTRY
16th Congress (15)
HB00070
AN ACT PROVIDING PRIORITY TO THE IMMEDIATE DESCENDANT OF DISTRESSED OVERSEAS
FILIPINO WORKERS IN THE AVAILMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL MIGRANT WORKERS
SCHOLARSHIP FUND, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE 'MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995' AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Principal Author/s: DEL ROSARIO, ANTHONY G.
HB00558
Principal Author/s: AGLIPAY, EMMELINE Y.
HB02981
PUBLISH, DISSEMINATE AND UPDATE A HANDBOOK ON THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OF MIGRANT WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE 'MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995,' AS AMENDED
Principal Author/s: PACQUIAO, EMMANUEL D.
HB03858
ACT OF 1995', AS AMENDED
Main Referral: JUSTICE
Status: Pending with the Committee on JUSTICE since 2014-02-12
HB04137
AN ACT EXPANDING THE COMPULSORY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS TO
INCLUDE REHIRES, NAME HIRES AND DIRECT HIRES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 37-A OF REPUBLIC ACT 8042, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995
Principal Author/s: NOGRALES, KARLO ALEXEI B.
HB04924
AN ACT PROVIDING MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AGENCY HIRED OVERSEAS
FOREIGN WORKERS AGAINST RISK SUSTAINED FROM WAR, INVASION, INSURRECTION,
REVOLUTION, MILITARY COUP AND TERRORISM, AMENDING SECTION 37-A OF REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 8042, AS AMENDED OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS
WORKERS ACT OF 1995
Principal Author/s: GATCHALIAN, WESLIE T.
HB05662
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE PRE-
DEPARTURE ORIENTATION PROGRAM OF THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
Principal Author/s: GATCHALIAN, WESLIE T.
HB05671
AN ACT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF FILIPINO MIGRANT
WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F.
HB05696
AN ACT INTEGRATING IN THE STANDARD MODULE FOR PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
SEMINAR GIVEN TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS THE TOPIC CONCERNING THE MODUS
OPERANDI OF ILLEGAL DRUG SYNDICATES AS A STEP TO INSULATE FILIPINO MIGRANT
WORKERS AGAINST THEIR NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES
Principal Author/s: COJUANGCO, KIMI S.
HB05714
AN ACT INCREASING THE AMOUNT AND EXPANDING THE USE OF THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE
FUND, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 25 AND 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995', AS
AMENDED
Principal Author/s: COLMENARES, NERI
HR00043
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEES ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS, LABOR
AND EMPLOYMENT AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION
INTO THE 'SEX-FOR-FLIGHT', HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND OTHER ABUSIVE AND ILLEGAL ACTS
COMMITTED AGAINST FILIPINO OVERSEAS WORKERS, MIGRANTS AND TRAVELLERS BY
UNSCRUPULOUS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, RECRUITERS, FOREIGN EMPLOYERS AND OTHER
PERSONS OR ENTITIES
Principal Author/s: DE LA CRUZ, JONATHAN A.
Status: Adopted on 2014-08-05
HR00874
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO
CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL MIGRANT
WORKERS TO THE PHILIPPINE LABOR MARKET AND ON THE NEED FOR STRICTER
ENFORCEMENT OF EXISTING PHILIPPINE LABOR AND IMMIGRATION LAWS FOR THE
PROTECTION OF THE INTEREST OF THE FILIPINO LABOR FORCE
Principal Author/s: MENDOZA, RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C.
Main Referral: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
Status: Pending with the Committee on LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT since 2014-09-26
HR01524
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN
INQUIRY IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS OVERSIGHT FUNCTION TO DETERMINE THE MEASURES
TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS
EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION, OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION, AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO PROTECT AND UPLIFT THE RIGHTS AND
INTEREST OF FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS FROM ILLEGAL RECRUITERS AND ABUSIVE
EMPLOYERS
Principal Author/s: PADILLA, CARLOS M.
HR02445
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS AND
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS
OVERSIGHT FUNCTION, ON THE ALLEGED INACTION OF THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR
OFFICE (POLO) IN RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, FOR THE REPATRIATION OF OUR
DISTRESSED MIGRANTS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Principal Author/s: PAGDILAO, SAMUEL D.
HR02472
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE CASE OF OFW
GLORIA ORTINEZ WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY VICTIMIZED BY THE TANIM BALA SYNDICATE
OPERATING AT THE NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND ON THE NEED OF
ESTABLISHING LEGAL HELP DESKS FOR MIGRANT WORKERS IN OUR AIRPORTS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: ZAMORA, MARIA CARMEN S.
15th Congress (10)
HB01244
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE AUTOMATIC REVOCATION OR CANCELLATION OF THE LICENSE
OF A PLACEMENT OR RECRUITMENT AGENCY WHICH RECRUITED OR DEPLOYED AN
UNDERAGE MIGRANT WORKER AND THE MANDATORY REFUND OF ALL FEES PAID BY
REPATRIATED MINOR OFWs, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND
OVERSEAS FILIPINO ACT OF 1995"
HB01522
AN ACT AMENDING SECTIONS 25 AND 26 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995", AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
HB01830
AN ACT TO PROVIDE A RETIREMENT BENEFIT FOR THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE MIGRANT WORKERS' RETIREMENT ACT OF 2010"
Principal Author/s: GATCHALIAN, REX
HB03193
Principal Author/s: AGLIPAY, EMMELINE Y.
HB04822
ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
ACT OF 1995", AS AMENDED
HB05841
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, CREATING OFW ADVOCATES HELP
DESK IN AIRPORT TERMINALS
Principal Author/s: FERRIOL, ABIGAEL FAYE C.
HB06176
AN ACT PROVIDING PRIORITY TO THE IMMEDIATE DESCENDANT OF DISTRESSED OVERSEAS
FILIPINO WORKER IN THE AVAILMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL MIGRANT WORKERS
SCHOLARSHIP FUND, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995" AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Principal Author/s: DEL ROSARIO, ANTHONY G.
HB06195
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AS THE MIGRANT
WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995
HB06357
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995
HB06650
AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING FOR A HEALTH INSURANCE
PROGRAM FOR ALL OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS, INCLUDING ALL OTHER FILIPINO CITIZENS
OVERSEAS, AND THEIR FAMILIES AND DEPENDENTS UNDER THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH
INSURANCE CORPORATION OR PHILHEALTH AND THE MECHANISMS FOR ITS FUNDING AND
IMPLEMENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: ANGARA, JUAN EDGARDO M.
14th Congress (3)
HB00701
[History] [Text As Engrossed]
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE APPROPRIATION TO REPLENISH THE FUND FOR LEGAL
ASSISTANCE TO MIGRANT WORKERS AS ESTABLISHED IN REPUBLIC ACT 8042, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE 'MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS ACT OF 1995' AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Principal Author/s: GATCHALIAN, REXLON T.
Status: Approved by the House on 2009-09-23, transmitted to on 2009-09-24 and received by the
Senate on 2009-09-24
HB04912
[History]
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A PROGRAM GRANTING BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TO
FORMER FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS AND FISCAL INCENTIVES TO PARTICIPATING
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
Principal Author/s: CHATTO, EDGARDO M.
HB05649
AN ACT IMPROVING THE STANDARDS OF PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE FOR MIGRANT
WORKERS, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995"
Principal Author/s: ZAMORA, MANUEL "WAY KURAT" E.
Status: REPUBLIC ACT RA10022 (Lapsed into law on 2010-03-08)
13th Congress (10)
HB00257
[History]
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE REGULATORY FUNCTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS
EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA) AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF
1995'
Principal Author/s: DADIVAS, RODRIGUEZ D.
Mother Bill Status: REPUBLIC ACT (RA09422) enacted on 2007-04-10
HB00346
EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA) AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
1995'
HB00737
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A LEGAL ATTACHE OFFICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
"MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Principal Author/s: SYJUCO, JUDY
Main Referral: LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
Status: Under deliberation by the Mother Committee on 2006-09-20
HB01618
AN ACT TO IMPOSE STIFFER PENALTIES ON GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL AND OFFICIALS
STATIONED AT VARIOUS EMBASSIES AND CONSULAR OFFICES ABROAD FOR GROSS
NEGLIGENCE TO ACT ON COMPLAINTS OF, OR TO GIVE ASSISTANCE OR RENDER SERVICE
ESPECIALLY TO DISTRESSED MIGRANT FILIPINOS AND OFWS, THEIR FAMILIES AND
DEPENDENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995"
HB01695
AN ACT ENSURING A HIGHER STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE
OF MIGRANT WORKERS BY AMENDING THE FIFTH PARAGRAPH OF SECTION 10 OF REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINO
ACT OF 1995'
Principal Author/s: BAUTISTA, CLAUDE P.
HB01754
AN ACT REDEFINING ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 8042 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT
OF 1995," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Principal Author/s: PICHAY, PROSPERO JR. A.
HB02367
EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA), AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
1995'
Principal Author/s: ROSALES, ETTA
HB05498
AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE REGULATORY FUNCTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS
EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA), AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
8042 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF
1995"
Principal Author/s: LAGMAN, EDCELC.
Status: REPUBLIC ACT (RA09422) enacted on 2007-04-10
HR00020
RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO REVIEW THE IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF REPUBLIC
ACT OF 1995' AND LOOK INTO THE STATUS OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION TO OPTIMIZE THE
POTENTIAL OF OFWs AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES AND TO ENSURE THAT THE
SCHOLARSHIP IS EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY
Principal Author/s: CASTELO-DAZA, NANETTE
HR00021
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE
OF MIGRANT FILIPINOS BY OFFICIALLY REMINDING THE PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE DUTIES TO SUBMIT TO CONGRESS A SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OF PHILIPPINE
FOREIGN POSTS LOCATED IN COUNTRIES HOSTING FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS, AS
PROVIDED BY MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OR R.A. 8042
Principal Author/s: BELTRAN, CRISPIN
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO) RESOURCES:
Reference:
International Labour Organization (ILO). (c1996-2017). The ASEAN Declaration on the
Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/migpractice/migmain.showPractice?p_lang=en&p_practice_id=41
The ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers
• Responsible Organisations: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

(International Organisation)
• ILO Regions: Asia and the Pacific
• Country(ies): Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; Indonesia; Lao People's Democratic
Republic; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; Viet Nam
• Thematic areas: Migration and development; Protection; Regional labour mobility;
Strengthening workers' and employers' organisations
• MLFLM: 15.; 8.; 9.(a),(b),(c); 11.; 2.; 6.
Description
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Declaration on the Protection and
Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers was adopted by the ASEAN heads of state in Cebu,
Philippines in 2007. The Declaration calls on countries of origin and destination to ensure the
dignity of migrant workers by outlining their obligations in the areas of: (i) protection from
exploitation, discrimination, and violence; (ii) labour migration governance; and (iii) the fight
against trafficking in persons. Following the signing of the Declaration, a Committee on the
Implementation of the Declaration was set up to advance efforts in these areas. The Committee is
currently in the process of drafting an ASEAN instrument on the protection and promotion of
migrant workers' rights. As one of the Committee's recommended activities, ASEAN convenes a
yearly Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML), which serves as an open platform for review, discussion
and exchange of best practices and ideas between governments, workers' and employers'
organisations, and civil society stakeholders on key issues facing migrant workers in Southeast
Asia. The Forum seeks to develop recommendations to advance the implementation of the
principles of the ASEAN Declaration.
Documents
• Text of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant
Workers (Declaration.pdf; 78kb)
• ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour: Background information booklet (AFML.pdf;
10,898kb)
last updated on 04.05.2015
Reference:
International Labour Organization (ILO) / ILO Country Office for the Philippines (CO-Manila). (n.d.).
Tripartite Action for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in the ASEAN Region
(ASEAN TRIANGLE Project-Philippines). Retrieved July 19, 2019 from
https://www.ilo.org/asia/projects/WCMS_413795/lang--en/index.htm
Protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers

Tripartite Action for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in the
ASEAN Region (ASEAN TRIANGLE Project-Philippines)
The Project aims to significantly reduce the exploitation of labour migrants in the region through
increased legal and safe migration and improved labour protection. The project promotes both
bilateral and regional approaches to deal with shared concerns, make regionalism more effective,
and enhance the capacity of institutions in ASEAN. The project objectives are in line with the
strategic priorities of the ASEAN Labour Ministers Work Programme (2010-2015).
When: 1 May 2012 - 13 December 2016

Development partner(s): Government of Canada
Project code: RAS/12/01/CAN
Contact(s): Ms Catherine Laws, National Project Coordinator
Outcomes:
• Support the development of a regional legal and policy framework on labour migration
that reflects good practices and rights-, age- and gender-sensitive principles drawn from
international standards.
• Establish a regional age and sex-disaggregated database on migration and trafficking to
guide the formulation of age and gender sensitive evidence-based migration policies.
• Enhance the capacity of governments in countries of origin to maximize the positive
impact of migration on development by developing regional tools to strengthen pre-
employment and pre-departure training, overseas employment administration, the
support provided by labour attachés and consular officials, emigration procedures and
migrant welfare funds.
• Enhance the capacity of governments in destination countries through the development
of regional tools and guidelines, including on labour inspection, occupational safety and
health and dispute resolution.
• Strengthen relations between and among workers’ organizations in the region by
facilitating cooperative agreements among trade unions and by the development of
regional guidelines on the role of trade unions in formulating labour migration policies
and providing services to migrant workers.
• Strengthen relations between and among employers’ organizations in the region by
strengthening the capacity of the ASEAN Confederation of Employers (ACE) to convene
members on labour migration issues and formulate policies, supporting the enhancement
of skills training and certification of migrant workers and developing regional tools.
Activities:
• Conducted a financial literacy needs assessment of ASEAN migrant workers; developed a

financial education course and capacitated migrant leaders, civil society organizations
and embassy staff to conduct financial education workshops.
• Conducted a consultation workshop among Philippine stakeholders in support of
developing an ASEAN database on labour migration statistics.
• Supported Philippine civil society organizations (CSOs) develop a primer on the ILO
Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) and Philippine Domestic Workers Law .
• Organized a regional CSO forum on ILO Domestic Workers Convention (No. 189) to
strengthen ASEAN CSO networks and advocate for the ratification of Convention No. 189.
• Convened the 2014 ASEAN Labour Inspection Conference wherein labour inspection in
migrant-reliant sectors was adopted as a strategy.
• Developed and conducted a training course for ASEAN labour attaches on strategic
negotiations and conflict management.
• Conducted a national tripartite workshop to examine the Philippines’ progress against
ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour priorities and develop recommendations for the 7th
AFML.
• Supported the ASEAN Trade Union Council’s (ATUC) formal adoption of a regional
complaints mechanism and an inter-trade union agreement on ASEAN migrant workers.
• Gathered representatives of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and the ASEAN
Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children
(ACWC) to validate a tool on developing gender-responsive labour migration policies and
discuss specific concerns of vulnerable groups of migrant workers.
• Gathered representatives of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN
Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW)
and the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) to discuss the labour
dimensions of trafficking in persons and to develop cross-sectoral strategies to combat
the issue.
For further information please contact:

ILO Country Office for the Philippines (CO-Manila)
19th Floor, Yuchengco Tower
RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue
1200 Makati City, Philippines
Tel. +632 580 9900 loc. 902
Fax +632 856 7597
Tags: migrant workers, international migration, Asia, ASEAN countries, ILO partnerships
Regions and countries covered: Asia, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar,
Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, Indonesia
Reference:
International Labour Organization (ILO). (c1996-2017). C189 - Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No.
189) - Convention concerning decent work for domestic workers. Retrieved July 18, 2019 from
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:2
551460
C189 - Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189)

Convention concerning decent work for domestic workers (Entry into force: 05 Sep 2013)
Adoption: Geneva, 100th ILC session (16 Jun 2011) - Status: Up-to-date instrument (Technical
Convention).
Convention may be denounced: 05 Sep 2023 - 05 Sep 2024
Preamble
The General Conference of the International Labour Organization, Having been convened at
Geneva by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office, and having met in its 100th
Session on 1 June 2011, and
Mindful of the commitment of the International Labour Organization to promote decent work for
all through the achievement of the goals of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and
Rights at Work and the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, and
Recognizing the significant contribution of domestic workers to the global economy, which
includes increasing paid job opportunities for women and men workers with family
responsibilities, greater scope for caring for ageing populations, children and persons with a
disability, and substantial income transfers within and between countries, and
Considering that domestic work continues to be undervalued and invisible and is mainly carried
out by women and girls, many of whom are migrants or members of disadvantaged communities
and who are particularly vulnerable to discrimination in respect of conditions of employment and
of work, and to other abuses of human rights, and
Considering also that in developing countries with historically scarce opportunities for formal
employment, domestic workers constitute a significant proportion of the national workforce and
remain among the most marginalized, and
Recalling that international labour Conventions and Recommendations apply to all workers,
including domestic workers, unless otherwise provided, and
Noting the particular relevance for domestic workers of the Migration for Employment
Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97), the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions)
Convention, 1975 (No. 143), the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No.
156), the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), and the Employment
Relationship Recommendation, 2006 (No. 198), as well as of the ILO Multilateral Framework on
Labour Migration: Non-binding principles and guidelines for a rights-based approach to labour
migration (2006), and
Recognizing the special conditions under which domestic work is carried out that make it
desirable to supplement the general standards with standards specific to domestic workers so as
to enable them to enjoy their rights fully, and
Recalling other relevant international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and in
particular its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women
and Children and its Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, the
Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Convention on the Protection of the
Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, and
Having decided upon the adoption of certain proposals concerning decent work for domestic
workers, which is the fourth item on the agenda of the session, and
Having determined that these proposals shall take the form of an international Convention;
adopts this sixteenth day of June of the year two thousand and eleven the following Convention,
which may be cited as the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011..
Article 1
For the purpose of this Convention:
(a) the term domestic work means work performed in or for a household or households;
(b) the term domestic worker means any person engaged in domestic work within an
employment relationship;
(c) a person who performs domestic work only occasionally or sporadically and not on an
occupational basis is not a domestic worker.
Article 2
1. The Convention applies to all domestic workers.
2. A Member which ratifies this Convention may, after consulting with the most representative
organizations of employers and workers and, where they exist, with organizations representative
of domestic workers and those representative of employers of domestic workers, exclude wholly
or partly from its scope:
(a) categories of workers who are otherwise provided with at least equivalent protection;
(b) limited categories of workers in respect of which special problems of a substantial

nature arise.
3. Each Member which avails itself of the possibility afforded in the preceding paragraph shall, in
its first report on the application of the Convention under article 22 of the Constitution of the
International Labour Organisation, indicate any particular category of workers thus excluded and
the reasons for such exclusion and, in subsequent reports, specify any measures that may have
been taken with a view to extending the application of the Convention to the workers concerned.
Article 3
1. Each Member shall take measures to ensure the effective promotion and protection of the
human rights of all domestic workers, as set out in this Convention.
2. Each Member shall, in relation to domestic workers, take the measures set out in this
Convention to respect, promote and realize the fundamental principles and rights at work,
namely:
(a) freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective
bargaining;
(b) the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour;
(c) the effective abolition of child labour; and
(d) the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
3. In taking measures to ensure that domestic workers and employers of domestic workers enjoy
freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, Members
shall protect the right of domestic workers and employers of domestic workers to establish and,
subject to the rules of the organization concerned, to join organizations, federations and
confederations of their own choosing.
Article 4
1. Each Member shall set a minimum age for domestic workers consistent with the provisions of
the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention,
1999 (No. 182), and not lower than that established by national laws and regulations for workers
generally.
2. Each Member shall take measures to ensure that work performed by domestic workers who
are under the age of 18 and above the minimum age of employment does not deprive them of
compulsory education, or interfere with opportunities to participate in further education or
vocational training.
Article 5
Each Member shall take measures to ensure that domestic workers enjoy effective protection
against all forms of abuse, harassment and violence.
Article 6
Each Member shall take measures to ensure that domestic workers, like workers generally, enjoy
fair terms of employment as well as decent working conditions and, if they reside in the
household, decent living conditions that respect their privacy.
Article 7
Each Member shall take measures to ensure that domestic workers are informed of their terms
and conditions of employment in an appropriate, verifiable and easily understandable manner
and preferably, where possible, through written contracts in accordance with national laws,
regulations or collective agreements, in particular:
(a) the name and address of the employer and of the worker;
(b) the address of the usual workplace or workplaces;
(c) the starting date and, where the contract is for a specified period of time, its duration;
(d) the type of work to be performed;
(e) the remuneration, method of calculation and periodicity of payments;
(f) the normal hours of work;
(g) paid annual leave, and daily and weekly rest periods;
(h) the provision of food and accommodation, if applicable;
(i) the period of probation or trial period, if applicable;
(j) the terms of repatriation, if applicable; and
(k) terms and conditions relating to the termination of employment, including any period
of notice by either the domestic worker or the employer.
Article 8
1. National laws and regulations shall require that migrant domestic workers who are recruited
in one country for domestic work in another receive a written job offer, or contract of
employment that is enforceable in the country in which the work is to be performed, addressing
the terms and conditions of employment referred to in Article 7, prior to crossing national
borders for the purpose of taking up the domestic work to which the offer or contract applies.
2. The preceding paragraph shall not apply to workers who enjoy freedom of movement for the
purpose of employment under bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements, or within the
framework of regional economic integration areas.
3. Members shall take measures to cooperate with each other to ensure the effective application
of the provisions of this Convention to migrant domestic workers.
4. Each Member shall specify, by means of laws, regulations or other measures, the conditions
under which migrant domestic workers are entitled to repatriation on the expiry or termination
of the employment contract for which they were recruited.
Article 9
Each Member shall take measures to ensure that domestic workers:
(a) are free to reach agreement with their employer or potential employer on whether to
reside in the household;
(b) who reside in the household are not obliged to remain in the household or with
household members during periods of daily and weekly rest or annual leave; and
(c) are entitled to keep in their possession their travel and identity documents.
Article 10
1. Each Member shall take measures towards ensuring equal treatment between domestic
workers and workers generally in relation to normal hours of work, overtime compensation,
periods of daily and weekly rest and paid annual leave in accordance with national laws,
regulations or collective agreements, taking into account the special characteristics of domestic
work.
2. Weekly rest shall be at least 24 consecutive hours.
3. Periods during which domestic workers are not free to dispose of their time as they please and
remain at the disposal of the household in order to respond to possible calls shall be regarded as
hours of work to the extent determined by national laws, regulations or collective agreements, or
any other means consistent with national practice.
Article 11
Each Member shall take measures to ensure that domestic workers enjoy minimum wage
coverage, where such coverage exists, and that remuneration is established without
discrimination based on sex.
Article 12
1. Domestic workers shall be paid directly in cash at regular intervals at least once a month. Unless
provided for by national laws, regulations or collective agreements, payment may be made by
bank transfer, bank cheque, postal cheque, money order or other lawful means of monetary
payment, with the consent of the worker concerned.
2. National laws, regulations, collective agreements or arbitration awards may provide for the
payment of a limited proportion of the remuneration of domestic workers in the form of
payments in kind that are not less favourable than those generally applicable to other categories
of workers, provided that measures are taken to ensure that such payments in kind are agreed to
by the worker, are for the personal use and benefit of the worker, and that the monetary value
attributed to them is fair and reasonable.
Article 13
1. Every domestic worker has the right to a safe and healthy working environment. Each Member
shall take, in accordance with national laws, regulations and practice, effective measures, with
due regard for the specific characteristics of domestic work, to ensure the occupational safety and
health of domestic workers.
2. The measures referred to in the preceding paragraph may be applied progressively, in

consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers and, where
they exist, with organizations representative of domestic workers and those representative of
employers of domestic workers.
Article 14
1. Each Member shall take appropriate measures, in accordance with national laws and
regulations and with due regard for the specific characteristics of domestic work, to ensure that
domestic workers enjoy conditions that are not less favourable than those applicable to workers
generally in respect of social security protection, including with respect to maternity.
2. The measures referred to in the preceding paragraph may be applied progressively, in

consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers and, where
they exist, with organizations representative of domestic workers and those representative of
employers of domestic workers.
Article 15
1. To effectively protect domestic workers, including migrant domestic workers, recruited or

placed by private employment agencies, against abusive practices, each Member shall:
(a) determine the conditions governing the operation of private employment agencies
recruiting or placing domestic workers, in accordance with national laws, regulations and
practice;
(b) ensure that adequate machinery and procedures exist for the investigation of
complaints, alleged abuses and fraudulent practices concerning the activities of private
employment agencies in relation to domestic workers;
(c) adopt all necessary and appropriate measures, within its jurisdiction and, where
appropriate, in collaboration with other Members, to provide adequate protection for and
prevent abuses of domestic workers recruited or placed in its territory by private
employment agencies. These shall include laws or regulations that specify the respective
obligations of the private employment agency and the household towards the domestic
worker and provide for penalties, including prohibition of those private employment
agencies that engage in fraudulent practices and abuses;
(d) consider, where domestic workers are recruited in one country for work in another,
concluding bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements to prevent abuses and
fraudulent practices in recruitment, placement and employment; and
(e) take measures to ensure that fees charged by private employment agencies are not
deducted from the remuneration of domestic workers.
2. In giving effect to each of the provisions of this Article, each Member shall consult with the most
representative organizations of employers and workers and, where they exist, with organizations
representative of domestic workers and those representative of employers of domestic workers.
Article 16
Each Member shall take measures to ensure, in accordance with national laws, regulations and
practice, that all domestic workers, either by themselves or through a representative, have
effective access to courts, tribunals or other dispute resolution mechanisms under conditions that
are not less favourable than those available to workers generally.
Article 17
1. Each Member shall establish effective and accessible complaint mechanisms and means of
ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations for the protection of domestic workers.
2. Each Member shall develop and implement measures for labour inspection, enforcement and
penalties with due regard for the special characteristics of domestic work, in accordance with
national laws and regulations.
3. In so far as compatible with national laws and regulations, such measures shall specify the
conditions under which access to household premises may be granted, having due respect for
privacy.
Article 18
Each Member shall implement the provisions of this Convention, in consultation with the most
representative employers and workers organizations, through laws and regulations, as well as
through collective agreements or additional measures consistent with national practice, by
extending or adapting existing measures to cover domestic workers or by developing specific
measures for them, as appropriate.
Article 19
This Convention does not affect more favourable provisions applicable to domestic workers
under other international labour Conventions.
Article 20
The formal ratifications of this Convention shall be communicated to the Director-General of the
International Labour Office for registration.
Article 21
1. This Convention shall be binding only upon those Members of the International Labour
Organization whose ratifications have been registered with the Director-General of the
International Labour Office.
2. It shall come into force twelve months after the date on which the ratifications of two Members
have been registered with the Director- General.
3. Thereafter, this Convention shall come into force for any Member twelve months after the date
on which its ratification is registered.
Article 22
1. A Member which has ratified this Convention may denounce it after the expiration of ten years
from the date on which the Convention first comes into force, by an act communicated to the
Director-General of the International Labour Office for registration. Such denunciation shall not
take effect until one year after the date on which it is registered.
2. Each Member which has ratified this Convention and which does not, within the year following
the expiration of the period of ten years mentioned in the preceding paragraph, exercise the right
of denunciation provided for in this Article, will be bound for another period of ten years and,
thereafter, may denounce this Convention within the first year of each new period of ten years
under the terms provided for in this Article.
Article 23
1. The Director-General of the International Labour Office shall notify all Members of the
International Labour Organization of the registration of all ratifications and denunciations that
have been communicated by the Members of the Organization.
2. When notifying the Members of the Organization of the registration of the second ratification
that has been communicated, the Director-General shall draw the attention of the Members of the
Organization to the date upon which the Convention will come into force.
Article 24
The Director-General of the International Labour Office shall communicate to the Secretary-
General of the United Nations for registration in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the
United Nations full particulars of all ratifications and denunciations that have been registered.
Article 25
At such times as it may consider necessary, the Governing Body of the International Labour Office
shall present to the General Conference a report on the working of this Convention and shall
examine the desirability of placing on the agenda of the Conference the question of its revision in
whole or in part.
Article 26
1. Should the Conference adopt a new Convention revising this Convention, then, unless the new
Convention otherwise provides:
(a) the ratification by a Member of the new revising Convention shall ipso jure involve the
immediate denunciation of this Convention, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 22,
if and when the new revising Convention shall have come into force;
(b) as from the date when the new revising Convention comes into force, this Convention
shall cease to be open to ratification by the Members.
2. This Convention shall in any case remain in force in its actual form and content for those
Members which have ratified it but have not ratified the revising Convention.
Article 27
The English and French versions of the text of this Convention are equally authoritative.
PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION:
Reference:
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. (c2016). About POEA. Retrieved July 23, 2019
from http://poea.gov.ph/programs/programs&services.html
About POEA
Vision
Excellence in governance for world-class Filipino migrant workers.
Mission
POEA connects to the world and in partnership with all stakeholders, facilitates the generation
and preservation of decent jobs for Filipino migrant workers, promotes their protection and
advocates their smooth reintegration into Philippine society.
Quality Statement
We pursue excellence in governance to satisfy our customers.
We achieve this by:
Providing effective and efficient services.
Operating within the requirement and standards governing overseas employment
Empowering our human resources
Assuring continual improvement using ISO 9001:2008
Program Thrusts
Industry Regulation
• Continuing Agency Education and Agency Performance Evaluation/Ranking and

Classification System
- Pre-application orientation seminar
- Labor market fora
- Seminar on best recruitment practices
• Implementation of comprehensive case management program

- Conciliation
- Adjudication
- Monitoring of appeals
- Enforcement of decisions
Employment Facilitation
• Facilitation of 1 million OFW deployment

- Dispatch of technical marketing missions
- Intensify marketing intelligence work
- Pursue bilateral/multi-lateral agreements
- Encourage visit of foreign gov’ts and employers
- Strengthen linkages with education and training sector
- Enhance coordination with host governments
- Enforce policy on skills competencies
Workers Protection
• Global OFW mapping and profiling

- Fast track information on OFWs worldwide, their work sites, skills, and gender.
• Intensification of AIR campaign

PREVENTIVE
- Pre-employment orientation seminars
- Illegal recruitment free-LGUs
- Multi-media information and education program
REMEDIAL
- Legal assistance to IR victims
- Surveillance/Entrapment operations
- Arrests
- Prosecution
- Closure of establishments
• Implementation of incentive program for victims and witnesses of illegal recruitment

- Payment of docket fees and other court or legal fees
- Employment without placement fees
• Provision of on-site remedies to OFWs to file complaints against employer or agency

- OFWs may file complaints for violations of POEA rules against principal, employer,
and/or Philippine recruitment agency at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office s (POLOs)
Core Functions
Industry Regulation
• Issues license to engage in overseas recruitment and manning to private recruitment

agencies and ship manning companies
• Hears and arbitrates complaints and cases filed against recruitment and manning
agencies, foreign principals and employers, and overseas workers for reported violation
of POEA rules and regulations, except for money claims
• Implements a system of incentives and penalty for private sector participants
• Sets minimum labor standards
• Monitors overseas job advertisements on print, broadcast and television
• Supervises the government’s program on anti-illegal recruitment
• Imposes disciplinary actions on erring employers and workers and seafarers
Employment Facilitation
• Accredits/ registers foreign principals and employers hiring Filipino workers

• Approves manpower requests of foreign principals and employers
• Evaluates and processes employment contracts
• Assists departing workers at the ports of exit
• Develops and monitors markets and conducts market research
• Conducts marketing missions
• Enters into a memorandum of understanding on the hiring of Filipino workers with labor–
receiving countries
• Facilitates the deployment of workers hired through government-to-government
arrangement
• Provides a system of worker’s registry
Worker’s Protection
• Intensifies public education and information campaign

• Conducts pre-employment orientation and anti-illegal recruitment seminars nationwide
• Conduct Pre-Deployment Orientation Seminars (PDOS) to workers hired through the
government-to-government arrangement and name hires
• Provides technical assistance in the drafting of bilateral and multilateral agreements
• Provides legal assistance to victims of illegal recruitment
• OFW global mapping and profiling
• Implements gender-sensitive programs
• Networks with non-government organizations, workers’ organizations, etc.
• Provides repatriation assistance
• Provides a system of worker’s registry
General Administration and Support Services
• Human Resources Development

• Property and Supplies Management
• Financial Management
• Information and Communication Technology
• Plans and Policy Development
• Quality Management System
Reference:
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. (c2016). Services for OFWs. Retrieved July 23,
2019 from http://poea.gov.ph/services/workers.html
Services for OFWs
1. Registration of Land Based Applicants

2. Registration of Seafarers
3. Documentation of Direct Hire Professionals
4. Documentation of Direct Hire Household Service Workers
5. Documentation of Government Hired Workers
6. Documentation of Workers-On-Leave
7. Verification/ Certification of OFW Records
8. Verification of License of Agencies and Job orders
9. Legal Assistance
10. Filing/Docketing of Cases
Reference:
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. (c2016). Recruiters. Retrieved July 23, 2019
from http://poea.gov.ph/services/recruiters.html
Recruiters
Services for Recruitment Agencies
1. Issuance of New License of Recruitment Agencies
2. Renewal of License of Recruitment Agencies
3. Registration/ Accreditation of Landbased Principals/Employers
4. Registration/ Accreditation of Seabased Principals/ Employers and Enrollment of Ships
5. Documentation of Landbased Agency-Hired Workers
6. Documentation of Agency-Hired Seafarers
7. Issuance of Job Fair Authority (JFA)
8. Issuance of Special Recruitment Authority (SRA) and Letter of Acknowledgment (LOA)
PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PIDS) RESOURCES:
PN 2012-05 (Policy Brief)
Protecting Vulnerable OFWs: the Case of Filipino Household Service Workers (HSWs)
The long experience of deploying large numbers of workers has earned accolade for the
Philippines as a global model for managing the deployment of workers. In an attempt to
improve protection of household service workers (HSWs), the Governing Board of the
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) promulgated a series of issuances
in 2006 stipulating specific conditions before deployment is allowed. This Policy Brief
provides a summary of the reform package, its indicative impacts and implications for policy.
Authors: Orbeta, Aniceto Jr. C.
Keywords: labor migration Philippines Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) HSW reform package
household service worker (HSW)
Download Link: https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidspn1205.pdf
EID 2008 Vol. VIII Nos. 4&5
Diaspora: Explaining a Modern Filipino Phenomenon
The term "Filipino diaspora" has recently become a familiar buzzword in publications and public
discussions. But what does "diaspora" really mean? And what recent Philippine phenomenon
does it characterize? This Economic Issue of the Day focuses on this...
Authors: Siar, Sheila V.
Keywords: Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) diaspora Filipino diaspora international migration
Focus Area: Migration and development
Download Link: https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidseid0804-05.pdf
DRN 2008 Vol. XXVI No. 5
The Philippine Diasporic Dividend: for the OFWs, their Families, and the Country
International migration as a development concern took center stage in this year's observance of
the 6th Development Policy Research Month (DPRM). The DPRM provided the perfect
opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the implications of international migration not only
in the context of economic gains but more importantly, on the social level. How these impacts
are to be assessed and related to the crafting of programs and policies that would help
maximize our gains from the diaspora are also critical points of discussion. This issue takes a
look at the highlights of the conference on "Managing the Development Impact of
International Migration" held recently which capped the DPRM celebration.
Authors: PIDS Research Information Staff
Keywords: remittances Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) diaspora Filipino diaspora
international migration
Download Link: https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdrn08-5.pdf
DRN 2008 Vol. XXVI No. 2
OFW Children: Wanting for More Attention
The Philippine government considers Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as a new breed of
economic investors in the country. Much has been said about the economic contributions of
OFWs but it is also equally important to look into the effects that migration has on their
children left at home. On the positive side, children of migrant workers have better living
conditions than their counterparts from non-OFW families. They experience more monetary
benefits in terms of food, clothing, education, and savings. While some would think children
are satisfied with this, this issue's main article reveals otherwise. OFW children put more
premium on time and attention given to them by their parents. More than their children's
need for a better education, which is the main reason for migration, parents should also be
made aware of the greater need to address the emotional needs of their children. Regular
communication is the key and various institutions such as the government, schools, and social
groups have roles to play in addressing key issues affecting the welfare of OFW children.
Authors: PIDS Research Information Staff
Keywords: children's welfare migrant workers migration Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
children's rights OFW children
Download Link: https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdrn08-2.pdf
News Articles on OFWS / Migrant Workers
NEWS ARTICLES FROM PEOPLE’S JOURNAL
2019
Reference:
Montano, E. (2019, July 15). New office to aid distressed OFWs. People's Journal. Retrieved July
23, 2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/new-office-aid-distressed-ofws
New office to aid distressed OFWs

July 15, 2019 / By Efren Montano / People's Journal
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure creating the Office for Social Welfare
Attache to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially those who are victims of illegal
recruitment.
Republic Act no. 11299, released by Malacanang on Monday, amended Republic Act no. 8042 or
the “Migrant Workers Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995” to include the new office.
The new law requires the Department of Social Welfare and development (DSWD) to deploy
social welfare attaches in countries where there are many OFWs.
The social attache is expected to manage cases of distressed overseas Filipinos, undertake
surveys on the situation of OFWs, establish a network of overseas-based social welfare agencies,
and monitor the complaints or queries of OFWs and their families.
According to the new law, the new office will prioritize OFWs needing psychosocial services,
especially those who are victims of illegal recruitment or trafficking, rape or sexual abuse,
maltreatment and other forms of abuse.
The budget for the office will be appropriated under the DSWD while the implementing rules and
regulations will be crafted by the same agency, in consultation with the Department of Foreign
Affairs, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Health, the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and other
stakeholders.
Reference:
Lee-Pisco, C. (2019, July 15). Consul advises illegal Pinoys. People's Journal. Retrieved July 23,
2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/consul-advises-illegal-pinoys
Consul advises illegal Pinoys

July 15, 2019 / By Cristina Lee-Pisco / People's Journal
THE Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles has advised Filipinos about their rights and
what to do in case US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appear at their
doorsteps.
It said “the Consulate General reminds all Filipinos to be vigilant and read up on the given
resources so that you would know your rights when confronted by an ICE officer.”
The ICE started on Sunday its crackdown on illegal immigrants in 10 major cities including Los
Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, New Orleans, New York and San
Francisco.
Reports have said that about 2,000 illegal immigrants are the prime targets of the crackdown.
They are the ones that have criminal records and were issued removal orders but failed to appear
in court and are still in the US illegally.
But reports said that other illegal immigrants who are found along with the person of interest will
also be arrested by the ICE as part of the “collateral” fallout.
In preparation for the immigration sweeps, the County of Los Angeles and its Office of Immigrant
Affairs came out with the list of rights to protect oneself and provided a number of legal resources
where illegal immigrants can get legal immigration advices if ICE agents appear at their
doorsteps. This can be found at http://oia.lacounty.gov.
Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti has reaffirmed the City of Los Angeles law enforcement will
never participate in or assist in ICE enforcement actions.
The Mayor’s City of Immigrant Affairs has created a Community Resource Guide for Immigrant
Angelenos, providing people with comprehensive information about their rights and available
resources, including contact information for legal service providers and community
organizations that can be found on the Mayor’s website at
https://www.lamayor.org/Immigration.
There are also non-profit organizations, referral services and private attorneys across California
that provides pro bono legal services. The list can be downloaded from the US Justice Department
website at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/probonofulllist/download or www.justice.gov.
For emergency assistance, the Consulate General can be contacted through its hotline: +1(213)
587-0758 or +1(213) 268-9990.
Reference:
Balasa, W. M. (2019, July 14). 17 displaced OFWs arrive from Haiti. People's Journal. Retrieved
July 23, 2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/17-displaced-ofws-arrive-haiti
17 displaced OFWs arrive from Haiti

July 14, 2019 / By Willy M. Balasa / People's Journal
SEVENTEEN displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including 11 children arrived at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Haiti yesterday.
Ivy Joy Cruz, a warehouse manager in Port Au Prince, said due to public discontentment, the
repatriates and their children living near the business area of New Delma were traumatized of
continuous firing of guns and burning of vehicles crossing the protest lines.
Cruz said most of the protesters are young people who used trees and large rocks to block the
roads as piles of old tires were set on fire to create clouds of black smoke.
It was learned that some were killed and vehicles were burned while some gangs looted the
groceries nearby as oppositions allegedly blocked the main streets of the capital and other cities.
The civil unrest is expected to continue the upcoming days.
“We decided to repatriate mostly kids back to Manila while the rest especially men stayed to
monitor the situation. If the situation gets worst in the coming weeks, we will leave and repatriate
the remaining OFWs in Haiti,” Cruz said.
A socio-economic crisis, the devaluation of the local currency against the US dollar and price
increases have fueled Haiti’s public discontent. The protests involved high degree of violence,
including attacks on public buildings and private companies, burning of gas stations, banks, and
markets.
Reference:
Lee-Pisco, C. (2019, July 13). Distressed OFWs brought home. People's Journal. Retrieved July 23,
2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/distressed-ofws-brought-home
Distressed OFWs brought home

July 13, 2019 / By Cristina Lee-Pisco / People's Journal
THE Philippine Embassy in Kuwait repatriated a group of 45 undocumented and distressed

overseas Filipino workers, the fourth batch helped under the Embassy Assisted Repatriation
Program (EARP).
This brought to 201 the number of OFWs who were brought back home by the Embassy this year.
“I am very thankful to the Illegal Residency Monitoring and Immigration Departments of Kuwait’s
Ministry of Interior for the invaluable assistance they have provided the Embassy. I would also
like to thank the dynamic and resilient officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy for their
commitment and dedication in making EARP successful,” Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Mohd. Noordin
Pendosina N. Lomondot said in a statement.
At the same time, Lomondot said that the EARP with the Kuwaiti government “will continue all
year round, as long as there are undocumented and distressed Filipinos who want to be
repatriated back home.”
The EARP is a joint program of the Embassy and the Kuwaiti government, through the Illegal
Residency Monitoring and Immigration Departments of the Ministry of Interior. It aims to
repatriate overseas Filipinos who were charged with absconding or had expired visa cases at the
Immigration Department, without having to be detained.
Funding for the EARP is sourced from the P1 billion Assistance to Nationals Fund of the
Department of Foreign Affairs for 2019.
Apart from the all-expense-paid one-way air ticket from Kuwait to Manila, 23 out of the 45 EARP
beneficiaries were also provided with one-way air tickets from Ninoy Aquino International
Airport in Manila to their respective provinces.
Other forms of welfare assistance were given to the repatriates, such as land transportation from
the Embassy to Kuwait International Airport, and food provisions.
Forty-four undocumented and distressed OFWs were repatriated to the Philippines under the
EARP last February 13, 2019, followed by another 44 on March 7 and a batch of 68 last April 11.
In another repatriation-related news, the Medical Response Team of the Embassy’s Assistance to
National’s Unit assisted last June 2019 in the medical repatriation of OFW Eva Parmis, who had
been aided and monitored while she was being treated in the hospital.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng mga taga-Philippine Embassy dito sa Kuwait na mula sa

simula ay tinulungan at inalalayan ako sa mga check-up ko, pati ng maospital ako, para gumaling
sa aking karamdaman at makauwi ako sa Pilipinas. Maraming salamat din po sa Gobyerno ng
Pilipinas sa tulong na ibinigay nyo sa akin. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi ako makakauwi sa Pinas
para makasama ang aking pamilya,” said Parmis.
Reference:
Montano, E. (2019, July 13). Duterte vows creation of new department catering to OFWs. People's
Journal. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/duterte-vows-
creation-new-department-catering-ofws
Duterte vows creation of new department catering to OFWs

July 13, 2019 / By Efren Montano / People's Journal
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has pledged to establish a separate executive department to handle
matters concerning Filipino migrant workers by December this year.
Duterte said he would rush the formation of the department, and vowed to place recruitment of
migrant workers under government supervision.
“Apurahin ko ‘yang Department of OFW (overseas Filipino workers),” he said in a speech at the
Araw ng Pasasalamat for OFWs at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“Bawal na ‘yang recruitment diyan sa labas (outside recruitment will no longer be allowed)... that
kind of mechanism of recruiting Filipino workers abroad has been abused and abused and
abused. Mga kababayan ko puro biktima, puro kawawa (my countrymen are the poor victims),”
he said.
The President said a framework for the new government office would be available by the second
week of August.
Duterte’s former aide Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who submitted a bill for the formation of the
new department, said the President was expected to certify the proposed measure as urgent.
“Possible naman po na matapos ito agad sa December,” Go told reporters.
Currently, separate government agencies handle OFW affairs, among them the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and the
Department of Foreign Affairs’ Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs.
Aside from the new department, Duterte said he would also build hospitals specifically for
Filipino migrant workers.
Problems of migrant workers will also be addressed by police attachés, which could connect them
to offices in the Philippines for help, Duterte said.
“So you will have a Department of OFW para sa inyo lang (just for you). ‘Yung hospital pati lagyan
ko ng police attaché sa lahat ng binanggit ninyo na lugar,” he said.
“The police attaché will connect you dito sa Pilipinas kung ano ang problema (here in the
Philippines to address the problem). And they will be trained to help you in legal matters of how
to do it in the meantime that you are not here to solve the problem,” he said.
Over 10 million Filipinos are abroad, and the remittances of those who work in other countries
and territories are a lifeline to the Philippine economy.
Filipino migrants often grapple with labor issues and recruitment woes while some need legal
assistance for alleged involvement in criminal activity.
Reference:
People's Journal. (2019, July 13). Duterte, Go push for Dep’t of OFW. People's Journal. Retrieved
July 23, 2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/duterte-go-push-dept-ofw
Duterte, Go push for Dep’t of OFW

July 13, 2019 / People's Journal
AT the celebration of Araw ng Pasasalamat sa OFW Summit in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on
Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his support for the proposal to establish a separate
executive department for Overseas Filipinos particularly OFWs to protect Filipino migrant
workers from abusive illegal recruiters.
“Bawal na ang recruitment sa labas. Kung gusto nila, under the supervision of government and
walang horrendous charges, hindi ako papayag nang ganoon,” said the President during the
thanksgiving event for OFWs.
“Apurahin ko ’yang Department of OFW,” he added. “By December. Buong Pilipinas ito. Bawal na
‘yang recruitment diyan sa labas na punta ka doon. Doon ka makipag-deal, may listahan doon.
Mamili ka na lang kung sino ang gusto mo at ’yan regulated and I have the power to do that
because that kind of mechanism of recruiting Filipino workers abroad has been abused and
abused and abused,” said the President.
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go echoed the President’s sentiments, citing
that many OFWs continue to seek assistance after being victimized by illegal recruiters.
“Nais po ng Presidente na maiwasan ang illegal recruitment ng mga OFW. Marami pong mga
biktima na lumalapit sa kanya at lumalapit sa akin na nabibiktima ng mga ito. Dapat na itong
matigil,” Go said in an interview.
According to Go, many Filipinos continue to fall prey to exploitative illegal recruiters who impose
excessive fees over false promises of employment abroad, sometimes resulting in victims
becoming trapped as dues payers, and even the confiscation of their passports while employed
abroad.
To address this issue, Go cited that one of the first Senate Bills he filed was SB 202 or the
Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of 2019.
This legislative measure proposes the establishment of a Department of Overseas Filipinos to

serve as the umbrella agency to specifically address all the issues and concerns of Filipinos abroad
and their families, to afford them full protection, promote their full and just employment, mitigate
the social costs back home, and serve as a channel to address OFW issues and grievances.
“Masakit makitang iniiwan ng mga kababayan natin ang mga pamilya at mahal nila sa buhay
upang makapagtrabaho lamang sa mga malalayong lugar. Suklian natin ang kanilang sakripisyo
ng mas maayos na serbisyo para sa kanila at kanilang mga pamilya” he added.
Once passed into law, the functions of POEA, OWWA, DFA-OUMWA, Commission on Filipino
Overseas and International Labor Affairs Bureau will be transferred to this Department.
The measure further creates an Overseas Filipinos Assistance Fund to provide financial support
to Filipino migrants in distress, inclusive of repatriation and provisions for life-saving funds in
times of great emergency or distress, and provides training and livelihood loans for OFWs
returning to the Philippines for good.
The bill also mandates the creation of “OFW Malasakit Centers” in all provinces and major cities
to ensure prompt and efficient provision of services to OFWs and their families such as acquisition
of government permits, validation of overseas job offers, grievance and complaints desks and
reintegration services.
Go emphasized the need to streamline services for migrant workers. “Hindi na po dapat sila
ipagpasa pasa ng ahensya. Hindi na po dapat nakakalito proseso na dadaanan nila sa gobyerno.
Iisang department na lamang ang tutugon sa lahat ng kanilang pangangailangan.”
Currently, OFWs need to go to different government agencies to secure their needed documents
and present their other concerns such as employment and technical education.
When asked about the likelihood of the proposed measure passing, Go has high hopes that
President Rodrigo Duterte will certify the OFW Department Bill as “urgent” to get it passed into
law before the year ends.
Reference:
Lee-Pisco, C. (2019, June 21). Israel urged to treat humanely Filipinos facing deportation. People's
Journal. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/israel-urged-treat-
humanely-filipinos-facing-deportation
Israel urged to treat humanely Filipinos facing deportation

June 21, 2019 / By Cristina Lee-Pisco / People's Journal
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) appealed to the Israeli government to treat the
overstaying Filipinos humanely even as the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv is coordinating with
the Population and Border Authority (PIBA) to facilitate the repatriation of overstaying Filipinos
and their families.
This developed following reports received by the DFA on the scheduled deportation of Filipino
workers and their children from Israel.
PIBA will provide repatriation tickets to those who are endorsed by the Embassy.
While the Philippines respects Israeli laws, the DFA reiterated its request for the Israeli
government to treat overstaying Filipinos in a humane and sensitive manner, since children may
be involved.
Likewise, the DFA calls on Filipinos in Israel to observe the host country’s laws.
The DFA stands ready to provide the necessary assistance to affected Filipinos, and is working
with other government agencies on reintegration programs for those who will be repatriated.
Affected Filipinos are requested to proceed to the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to receive
orientation on the repatriation program as well as government reintegration services.
Reference:
Pacpaco, R. P. (2019, June 16). High bank charges burden OFWs. People's Journal. Retrieved July
23, 2019 from https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/high-bank-charges-burden-ofws
High bank charges burden OFWs

June 16, 2019 / By Ryan Ponce Pacpaco / People's Journal
‘Modern heroes’ seen coughing up $3.2B in bank remittance charges this year.
OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) are projected to pay up to $3.2 billion in bank remittance
charges this year to send home $29.8 billion in cash, ACTS-OFW party-list said on Sunday.
“Philippine banks and their foreign correspondents are taking unreasonably high cuts out of the
cash wired home by migrant Filipino workers,” said ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III.
Citing the World Bank’s periodic Remittance Prices Worldwide Report, Bertiz said that in the first
quarter of 2019, banks remained the most expensive type of service provider, charging an
average of 10.90 percent of the amount sent.
“We expect OFWs to send home an aggregate of $29.8 billion in cash via the banking system this
year, up three percent from $28.9 billion in 2018,” said Bertiz.
“To transfer the entire $29.8 billion home, OFWs will be forking out 10.90 percent, or some $3.2
billion, to pay for bank fees,” said Bertiz.
Remittances represent a huge source of income for millions of Filipino families, and a key driver
of national economic growth, according to Bertiz.
“If we can get banks to slash their remittance prices by one-half, this would mean an extra $1.6
billion (P83.2 billion) flowing into low- and middle-income Filipino households and into the
economy,” Bertiz said.
The additional P83.2 billion every year would go a long way in enabling millions of remittance-
dependent Filipino families to acquire new homes, send their children to college, buy health and
life insurance protection, or to start small enterprises, Bertiz pointed out.
The United Nations has a social development goal to reduce the global average price of a
remittance to just three percent of the amount sent, while the G20 has committed to help lower
the cost to five percent.
Banks capture up to 85 percent of the remittances from OFWs. The rest is picked up by postal
offices, money transfer operators (MTOs) and mobile money service providers, said Bertiz.
Bertiz said postal offices charged an average of 7.26 percent in remittance fees in the first quarter,
while MTOs such as The Western Union Co. and MoneyGram International Inc. collected an
average of 6.06 percent.
“Mobile money” service providers remained the cheapest, charging an average of only 2.92
percent, Bertiz said.
The Philippines ranks No. 4 among the world’s top five remittance recipients, receiving an
estimated $34 billion in 2018, according to the World Bank. The amount includes some $5 billion
coursed through non-bank channels.
The other top remittance recipients in 2018 were India ($79 billion), China ($67 billion), Mexico
($36 billion) and Egypt ($29 billion).
Reference:
Pacpaco, R. P. (2019, June 15). Department of Labor and Employment, Russia discuss labor
protection for OFWs. People's Journal. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://journal.com.ph/news/ofw/department-labor-and-employment-russia-discuss-
labor-protection-ofws
Department of Labor and Employment, Russia discuss labor protection for OFWs
June 15, 2019 / By Lee Ann Ducusin / People's Journal
THE Department of Labor and Employment is negotiating with the Russian government
regarding a possible deal to protect Filipinos in the host country, most of them household service
workers and nannies.
Earlier, OFWs in Russia had expressed their support for the move of Speaker Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo to forge a labor agreement between the two countries, which she raised during the St.
Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“The proposed labor agreement between the Philippines and Russia for the protection of
overseas Filipino workers is an ongoing process. Talks are continuing. We are looking at a simple
but an implementable instrument that observes the migration regime of both countries,” the
DoLE said.
That solution is a “migration regime,” it pointed out adding: “Migration regime would mean our
laws and regulations as well as that of Russia. We have ways of documenting our overseas Filipino
workers while Russia has its existing regulations for admission of foreign nationals.”
NEWS ARTICLES FROM MANILA BULLETIN
2018
Reference:
Casayuran, M. (2018, July 07). De Lima urges HR attaches to protect OFWs vs abuses. Manila
Bulletin (mb.com.ph). Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/07/de-lima-urges-hr-attaches-to-protect-ofws-vs-
abuses/
De Lima urges HR attaches to protect OFWs vs abuses

Published July 7, 2018, 3:05 PM
By Mario Casayuran
Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima pressed on Saturday the Executive branch to designate
human rights attaches in selected Philippine embassies and consulates to address the growing
cases of human rights violations committed against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
De Lima reiterated her proposal following increasing reports of harassments and human rights
violations against OFWs, especially among household service workers (HSWs).
The lady lawmaker said it is unfortunate that Philippine overseas workers have always been
subjected to abuses and harassments.
‘’They work night and day, often in difficult and dangerous conditions, just to be able to provide
better opportunities for their families here,” she said.
“Recent reports of harassments on our OFWs should compel our government to consider
designating human rights attaches, especially in countries where our workers are most
vulnerable in the hands of their foreign employers,” she explained.
In December 2016, de Lima filed Senate Bill (SB) 1230 seeking to amend the Charter of the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as the national human rights institution and strengthen its
powers and functions.
Under SB 1230, de Lima proposed that human rights attaches be designated in select Philippine
embassies and consulates in order to address cases of human rights violations committed against
OFWs.
She has also filed SB 1785 amending Section 23 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8042, to highlight the
invaluable role of the CHR in human rights education of OFWs and in providing legal assistance
to them.
De Lima, who now chairs the Senate social justice, welfare and rural development committee,
noted the increasing reports about OFWs who were subjected to violence, sexual harassment, and
maltreatment in the hands of their foreign employers.
“Sexual harassment is one of the most appalling offenses that can be committed against OFWs—
our modern-day heroes who work hard to support their families in the country—because it steps
into their very dignity as individuals,” she said.
Recently, a female OFW from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was reportedly driven to commit suicide to
evade sexual advances by her employer’s son-in-law.
Her husband confirmed that the case already reached the Embassy of the Philippines and
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)–Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs
but the two offices simply asked him to “wait and see.”
Citing a different case of an abused OFW, De Lima noted that the parents of migrant worker
identified as “Andrea” expressed disgust over the government’s failure to bring their daughter
back home, five months after Andrea released a video seeking help because she was allegedly
sexually abused by her employer.
De Lima said she hopes that two Filipino women who suffered abuses in the hands of their foreign
employers in Saudi Arabia would not become again mere “figures and anecdotes” of the many
incidents of harassment committed against OFWs.
Among the earlier reported incidences of abuses involving OFWs include the cases of Joanna
Demafelis whose body was found in a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait in February
2018, and Mary Jane Veloso, a human trafficking victim convicted for carrying 2.6 kilograms of
heroin at the Yogyakarta Airport in 2010.
De Lima maintained that the safety and welfare of OFWs should always be the government’s top
priority saying, “if saving some of them from abusive employers means getting them back to the
country, then the government must do it as soon as possible.”
“Many of our OFWs have endured physical and sexual abuses so they can support their families
here. Our government and the private recruitment agencies should ensure that our OFWs are safe
and do not fall victims to abusive employers,” she said.
Despite her continued detention on illegal drug charges, t he senator from Bicol reiterated that
she would keep on working hard in promoting a just society not only for the OFWs and their
families but also for other less privileged and marginalized sectors.
Tags: De Lima, Department of Foreign Affairs, Employers, human rights, overseas Filipino
workers, Philippine overseas workers, Senator Leila De Lima, Senator Leila M. de Lima
Reference:
Casayuran, M. (2018, March 05). Only where our OFWs are effectively protected. Manila Bulletin
(mb.com.ph). Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/05/only-
where-our-ofws-are-effectively-protected/
Only where our OFWs are effectively protected

Updated March 5, 2018, 5:33 PM
It took the Joanna Demafelis case to make the Kuwait and the Philippine governments act decisively
on the problems of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in that country. Demafelis had disappeared
over a year ago with no one outside her family apparently concerned about her — until last February
9 when President Duterte said her battered body had been discovered in a freezer in the abandoned
apartment of her former employers, a Lebanese and his Syrian wife.
The President ordered a stop to further deployment of OFWs in Kuwait and offered transportation
assistance to all OFWs wishing to return home from Kuwait. Thousands of Filipina OFWs who had
been working as house helpers like Joanna returned home. The Kuwait government assured it would
find those responsible for her death and a few days later announced the arrest in Syria of Joanna’s
former employers.
There are about 180,000 OFWs in Kuwait – mostly house helpers like Joanna but also professionals
like doctors, engineers, teachers, and seamen. A much bigger group of Filipino workers are in Saudi
Arabia – 1.2 million – many in its oil fields, medicine, and service industries, but also as household
helpers. This week, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Strategic Communication
and Research Ernesto Abella said the DFA is now conducting an inventory of Filipina household
helpers in Saudi Arabia in the wake of reports of a “maid trade” in that country.
“We received reports that certain families and employees are in the habit of trading their household
helpers among families,” Labor Secretary Bello III said. “Under the kafala or sponsorship system, the
Arab sponsor-employee has control over the mobility of the migrant worker who is thus placed at the
mercy of his employer.”
The findings of government teams now in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East will be
a reliable basis for amending existing labor agreements, Secretary Bello said. “The minimum demand
of our President is that we will only deploy in countries where our workers are properly and
effectively protected.”
We welcome this systematic effort to look into the conditions of work of our OFWs in various
countries. For too long, our OFWs have been left largely on their own, submitting to degrading
conditions in their desperate search for work.
All this, we hope, is about to change. The case of Joanna Demafelis whose body was found in a freezer
over a year after she was reported missing by her family, has so angered our people and our officials
that President Duterte has now called for a country-by-country study to look into our OFWs’
conditions of work.
When the killings in Kuwait first came to light, President Duterte told Kuwait and other Middle East
countries: “We are poor, we may need your help, but we will not do it at the expense of the dignity of
the Filipino.” He has now similarly declared to Saudi Arabia and to other nations that the Philippines
will now send workers only where they are effectively protected.
Tags: Department of Foreign Affairs, Ernesto Abella, household helpers, Joanna Demafelis, Kuwait,
Kuwait government, Labor Secretary Bello, Only where our OFWs are effectively protected, overseas
Filipino workers, President Duterte, Saudi Arabia
Reference:
Torregoza, H. L. (2018, March 05). De Lima alarmed over ‘maid auctions’ in KSA. Manila Bulletin
(mb.com.ph). Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/01/de-lima-
alarmed-over-maid-auctions-in-ksa/
De Lima alarmed over ‘maid auctions’ in KSA

Published March 1, 2018, 10:00 PM / By Hannah L. Torregoza
Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Thursday urged the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to look into reports that Filipino household
service workers (HSWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are being auctioned to families
bidding the most money for a maid.
De Lima, a known anti-human trafficking advocate, said she is alarmed over allegations that illegal
“maid auctions” of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are being done in KSA.
“The Filipino workers abroad, notably the most vulnerable household service workers, should be
given guaranteed protection — especially from degrading practice and abusive employers —
while they work hard to support their families here,” De Lima said in a statement.
The senator said OFWs based in Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah have raised an alarm over the
practice of some employers in Saudi Arabia.
According to them, De Lima said these employers have been trading their Filipino household
workers to highest-bidding foreign employers for several years now.
De Lima cited a news report of a Riyadh-based OFW who was quoted as saying that she escaped
from her Saudi employer after learning that she had been sold to another employer in Damman
for 24,000 riyals. She said there are many other victims of such a practice.
The report cited by De Lima came on the heels of the Duterte government’s move to impose a
labor deployment ban to Kuwait amid reports of OFWs being maltreated and abused by their
employers.
The senator said the DFA and DOLE must verify the reported auction of Filipino HSWs and test
the effectivity of the 2013 bilateral labor agreement with Saudi Arabia, which reinforces the
Standard Employment Contract providing enough protection for HSWs.
“We may need to review the agreement which we entered with Saudi Arabia five years ago to
check whether Filipino HSWs are properly accorded their rights and are not subjected to modern-
day auctions, as if they are mere commodities?” she asked.
She said the agreement entails, among others, that Saudi Arabia be responsible for the
authenticity of the employment contract of HRWs and the settlement of labor contract violation
cases.
The labor agreement also recognizes the right of workers to paid vacation, non-withholding of
passports and work permits, free communication, and humane treatment.
Tags: De Lima alarmed over ‘maid auctions’ in KSA, Department of Foreign Affairs, household
workers, Leila de Lima, overseas Filipino workers, Saudi Arabia, Standard Employment Contract
Reference:
Aquino, L. A. (2018, February 24). 24/7 OFW Command Center set up. Manila Bulletin
(mb.com.ph). Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/24/247-ofw-
command-center-set-up/
24/7 OFW Command Center set up

Updated February 24, 2018, 7:55 AM / By Leslie Ann Aquino
A 24/7 OFW Command Center that will serve as the central referral and action hub for all requests
for assistance or immediate action of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has been established by
the Department of Labor and Employment.
“The operation of the Command Center will help ensure that all the concerns of our OFWs are
attended to, especially if the incident involving them needs immediate action and assistance,”
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a statement.
The center has been established by Administrative Order No.73, signed by the labor secretary,
constituting the 24/7 OFW Command Center for all requests for assistance made through walk-
in, email, text and telephone call.
The DOLE said the center will also attend to the requests of OFWs which were made through news
reports and referrals.
The center will also be accessible through the social media and online messaging platforms. It
shall promptly respond to the OFWs’ employment concerns, welfare cases, repatriation and other
related concerns, the DOLE said.
The implementing guidelines for the effective operation of the Command Center will be jointly
formulated by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA), and International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) within 30 days
upon signing of the administrative order.
The command center is under the direct supervision of the head of International Labor Affairs
Bureau and is temporarily housed at the ILAB Office, 2nd Floor, DOLE Building, Intramuros,
Manila.
Tags: 24/7 OFW Command Center set up, Department of Labor, International Labor Affairs
Bureau, OFW Command Center, overseas Filipino workers, Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Silvestre Bello III
Reference:
Aquino, L. A. (2018, February 23). DOLE pushes web-based alert system. Manila Bulletin
(mb.com.ph). Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/22/dole-
pushes-web-based-alert-system/
DOLE pushes web-based alert system

Updated February 23, 2018, 5:29 PM / By Leslie Ann G. Aquino
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to come out with a web-based alert
system which overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can download.
“We will be coming out with a web-based alert system, which OFWs can easily download. With
just one push of the alert button, help will immediately come to them,” DOLE Undersecretary
Ciriaco Lagunzad said in a press briefing Wednesday.
He said they intend to introduce the alert system in Kuwait.
Lagunzad and a team of senior government officials were set to leave yesterday to go to Kuwait,
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to assess the situation of Filipino workers there and to recommend
actions to deal with their situation.
“Kami po ay pupunta sa Kuwait, Saudi Arabia at Qatar bukas upang siguraduhin na ang ating mga
OFW ay may sapat na proteksyon (We are going to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar tomorrow
[Thursday] to ensure that our OFWs have enough protection),” he said.
Tags: alert system, Department of Labor and Employment, DOLE pushes web-based alert system,
DOLE Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad, Kuwait, overseas Filipino workers
Reference:
Aquino, L. A. (2018, February 22). Kuwait extends amnesty to OFWs : Largest batch of repatriated
Filipino workers arrive Wednesday. Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph). Retrieved July 23, 2019
from https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/22/kuwait-extends-amnesty-to-ofws/
Kuwait extends amnesty to OFWs

Largest batch of repatriated Filipino workers arrive Wednesday
Published February 22, 2018, 12:10 AM / By Roy C. Mabasa
The Kuwaiti government has extended its amnesty program for overstaying overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs) by two months to give them more time to prepare to return home.
The order for the extension of the amnesty was signed Tuesday by Kuwait Interior Minister
Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, the Department of Foreign Affiars (DFA) said.
The amnesty program was supposed to end today, February 22, if not for the two-month
extension or until April 22.
The decision came less than a week after the DFA formally conveyed the extension request to
Kuwaiti Ambassador to Manila Mousaed Al-Thwaikh.
The request for an extension was made to allow the Philippine government to accommodate more
of the 10,800 Filipinos believed to have overstayed their visas or ran away from their employers
as only close to 3,000 of those qualified have applied so far.
Largest batch
On Wednesday morning, 580 OFWs who availed themselves of the amnesty program arrived
safely in Manila from Kuwait.
The DFA considers this batch as one of the largest repatriations it has carried out in a single day.
The 580 Filipino workers flown out of Kuwait is also the biggest number to be flown home since
the DFA began its repatriation efforts nine days ago.
According to the DFA, the amnesty grantees arrived on board Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.
The latest batch brought to 1,796 the total number of Filipino workers who have asked to be
repatriated after availing themselves of an almost month-long amnesty program declared by the
Kuwaiti government.
The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait said it has so far processed 3,801 travel documents for workers
since the amnesty period began. It expects 2,000 more OFWs to be repatriated in the next few
days after the Kuwaiti government decided to extend its amnesty program by two months.
Cancelled licenses
Due to various violations, the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) has
cancelled the license of a number of Philippine recruitment agencies (PRAs).
“Pursuant to the directive of the Secretary of Labor to expedite cases of recruitment agencies
guilty for deploying OFWs to Kuwait, the POEA has finally resolved pending cases and we have
here an initial list of PRAs found guilty of recruitment violations with their corresponding
penalties,” POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said in a press briefing in Manila, Wednesday.
The agencies, he said, either violated provisions of employment contract, substitution of contract,
non-payment of wages, among others.
Agencies in the list and their corresponding penalty are:
Al Bayan International Manpower Services Co. –cancellation of license and 8months suspension
of license;
Bumiputra Gulf Company, Inc. – cancellation of license;
Gold Fortune Human Resources Corp. –cancellation of license and 4months suspension of license.
LFC International Human Resources – cancellation of license and reprimand;
Aisis International Manpower, Inc. – cancellation of license;
GreatWorld International Management, Inc. – cancellation of license;
GlobalGate International Manpower Services, Inc. – cancellation of license and 4 months

suspension of license;
MMML Placement, Inc. – cancellation of license;
NRS Placement, Inc. – 4 months suspension of license and reprimand;
SML Human Resources, Inc. – cancellation of license;
Best Migrant Workers International Manpower Services, Inc. – cancellation of licenseand 8

months suspension of license.
“These are the initial list of pending cases involving PRAs who are deploying workers bound to
Kuwait. In the days to come we will be resolving other pending cases,” said Olalia.
“Yung mga napatawan ng cancellation of license sanction, meronsila karapatang mag-file ng

appeal 15 days upon receipt of the resolution. In the meantime pending appeal, hindi po sila
makapag process ng papers nila,” he added.
Olalia also clarified the cases of the agencies were already pending even before the total
deployment of OFWs to Kuwait took effect.
Aside from the PRAs, Olalia also named five of their personnel who will be charged with
appropriate cases.
The five are:
Florence Medina, LEO III and evaluator assigned at BMPD Main and BM SM Manila;
Jerome Sousa, administrative aide BM cum evaluator (service contractual) assigned at BM SM

Manila;
Gretchen C. Casilang, LEO II and evaluator assigned at BM SM Pampanga;
Renegold Macarulay, supervising labor and employment officer assigned at POEA Zamboanga;
Rosalina Rosales, LEO III/evaluator assigned at BM Trinoma. (With a report from Leslie Ann G.
Aquino)
Tags: amnesty program, DFA, International Manpower Services, Kuwait, Kuwait extends amnesty
to OFWs, overseas Filipino workers, Philippine Airlines, Philippine government, Philippine
recruitment agencies, POEA
Reference:
Aquino, L. A. (2018, February 15). A closer look at our OFW program. Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph).
Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/15/a-closer-look-at-our-
ofw-program/
A closer look at our OFW program

Published February 15, 2018, 12:05 AM
Last January 19, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) suspended the deployment of
overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait in the wake of the death of seven migrant workers.
There were no details about their deaths, only reports of maltreatment of many Filipino workers
by their employers.
On January 25, President Duterte, informed that a Filipina had been raped and had then
committed suicide, called on Kuwait and other Middle East countries to treat their Filipino
workers as human beings. “We are poor, we may need your help, but we will not do it at the
expense of the dignity of the Filipino,” he said.
Then last February 9, President Duterte disclosed that another Filipina worker in Kuwait had
been found dead and in the most unusual circumstances. Her body was found half-naked inside a
freezer in an abandoned apartment. As in the previous cases, there were no details from
government investigations.
Now this latest victim has a name – Joanna Demafelis – and she came from Barangay Ferraris,
Sara, Iloilo. She has a picture – she was a pretty 28-year-old – and she had a family who supplied
the details of her going to Kuwait in 2014 to work for a Lebanese and his Syrian wife. She last
called her sister in Manila in late 2016.
When the family checked with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in 2017,
the OWWA said they were investigating many similar cases. Soon afterwards, the OWWA
informed the family of its findings that Joanna had been found dead and half-naked inside a
freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait.
What had she suffered through in the months and weeks and days before she was killed and her
body placed in that freezer? According to reports, the body may have been stored there for more
than a year. That could not possibly happen in our country without being discovered by the police.
How could it have happened in Kuwait?
So now we have a name – Joanna Demafelis – an Ilonga who wanted to earn money as an OFW to
raise enough money to build a house for her family in Iloilo and help her youngest sister finish
school. Earlier, there were seven migrant workers killed in Kuwait and one rape victim who
committed suicide. Their cases moved President Duterte to suspend further deployment of OFWs
to Kuwait.
The killing of Joanna is specially condemnable and inhuman. The President has now ordered a
total ban on sending Filipino workers to Kuwait. He has also ordered the DOLE to assist all Filipino
workers who want to leave Kuwait in the next 72 hours. They could be retrained for employment
in construction projects which will soon begin in the country under “Build, Build, Build.”
This project for OFWs desiring to leave Kuwait could be expanded to include other OFWs in the
world. The brutal death of Joanna should serve to make our officials take a closer look at our
program of sending Filipino workers overseas. There are countries like Kuwait and there are
kinds of workers like housemaids from which we can gradually withdraw because of cases like
that of Joanna Demafelis of Barangay Ferraris of Sara, Iloilo.
NEWS ARTICLES FROM INQUIRER.net
2019
Reference:
Salaverria, L. B. & Aurelio, J. M. (2019, June 22). Duterte to push for OFW rights in Asean
summit. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/176800/duterte-to-push-for-ofw-rights-in-asean-summit
Duterte to push for OFW rights in Asean summit

By: Leila B. Salaverria and Julie M. Aurelio - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:10 AM June 22, 2019
BANGKOK — President Duterte was expected to continue promoting migrant workers’ rights
before his peers during the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit this
weekend, Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon said on Friday.
The summit, hosted by Thailand this year, focuses on “Advancing Partnership for sustainability,”
and will formally open on Sunday. It will be followed by the 13th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-
Philippines East Asean Growth Area Summit.
“The President is very strong in protecting the welfare and interest of our Filipino migrant
workers not only here in the Asean region, but wherever we can find Filipinos employed in
different countries,” Aragon said, referring to the close to 30,000 Filipino migrants in Thailand.
Issues
During the summit, Asean leaders were expected to discuss issues concerning the South China
Sea, the bloc’s Indo-Pacific outlook, the implications of the trade war between the United States
and China, terrorism and extremism, climate change, transnational crimes and marine protection,
among other concerns.
Duterte, who was expected to fly to Bangkok on Friday, has appointed Justice Secretary Menardo
Guevarra to oversee the executive branch’s day-to-day operations and its general administration
during his absence from June 21 to 23.
Duterte was also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and
Thai Premier Prayuth Chan-ocha.
He will discuss with Asean leaders ways to deepen cooperation on inclusive, equitable and
sustainable economic development, and promote the Philippines as an investment destination.
Duterte is also set to meet with top business leaders involved in banking, food manufacturing,
agriculture, agribusiness and real estate, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
This year’s summit was expected to adopt the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris
in the Asean region. The declaration seeks to reaffirm the regional bloc’s commitment to conserve
the marine environment by addressing such issues as wastes thrown in the region’s oceans.
Ban trash imports
Environmental activists have been urging the 10-member regional bloc to ban trash imports from
developed countries, particularly plastic and electronic waste that often end up in oceans and kill
marine life.
Lopez said the Philippines would back any initiative that would get the Asean to ban waste
imports, as this mirrored the country’s own policy on the matter.
“That’s a unilaterally set policy, so if there will be such a move in Asean, obviously it is something
we will support,” Lopez said.
‘Stiffer penalties’
He said the government backed “stiffer penalties” against those who imported foreign trash. The
Bureau of Customs, he added, was expected to enhance technology to be able to detect illegal
trash imports into the country.
The trade official said Asean economic ministers were also set to meet on Friday afternoon to
discuss the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement that, he said, was
being fast-tracked because of the trade tensions between the United States and China.
Lopez said the major issues hindering the completion of the agreement could be resolved by
September, and the deal concluded by the end of the year.
The RCEP is a free trade deal between the 10 member states of the Asean and six free trade
agreement partners—China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand—that seeks to
level market access among the participating countries.
The completion of the RCEP will also benefit China as it is part of the deal, Lopez said.
TAGS: Asean Summit, OFW rights, Rodrigo Duterte
Reference:
Ramos, C. M. (2019, June 17). Gov’t urged: Give OFWs a break, put moratorium on SSS, PhilHealth
premium hikes. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1131104/govt-urged-give-ofws-a-break-put-moratorium-
on-sss-philhealth-premium-hikes
Gov’t urged: Give OFWs a break, put moratorium on SSS, PhilHealth premium hikes
By: Christia Marie Ramos - Reporter / @CMRamosINQ
INQUIRER.net / 04:20 PM June 17, 2019
MANILA, Philippines — A non-government organization (NGO) on labor migration called for the
moratorium on all premium hikes to be collected from Filipino migrant workers as it warned that
this would likely push workers away from seeking employment legally.
“The outlook for our overseas workers is not at its brightest, with tensions rising throughout the
Middle East and ongoing protests in Hong Kong over a hotly contested legislation, among other
challenges,” Susan Ople, former labor undersecretary and head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center,
said in a joint press conference in Manila on Monday.
“Any imposition of additional financial burdens would push our workers away from existing legal
deployment channels and make them less competitive against their rivals,” she added.
She also urged both the executive and legislative branches of government to slow down the
imposition of mandatory contributions for all overseas workers.
Aside from the Ople Center, the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc (PASEI) and the
Joint Manning Group representing the sea-based sector as well as NGOs namely the Kabalikat ng
Migranteng Pilipino, Incorporated and Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-anak ng Migranteng
Manggagawang Pilipino, Inc. also urged the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
(POEA) to reject the provision in the published Implementing Rules and Regulations of the SSS
that would tie-up OFW collections with the issuance of an Overseas Employment Certificate
(OEC).
“This will be a bleak Christmas if the SSS (Social Security System) succeeds in its intention to
collect three months in advance collection from every vacationing OFW as a condition for the
release of their OECs (Overseas Employment Certificate). The POEA should not play the role of
Scrooge since the law itself does not specify such a lopsided arrangement,” the policy center said.
The center cited the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) published recently by the SSS,
which states that a returning OFW including those coming home for an emergency and/or
vacation leaves will pay three months contribution to the SSS.
This provision, the center noted, would entail a payment of P2,880 for each vacationing OFW
based on the minimum rate of contributions.
The amount would be higher for skilled and professional workers including seafarers, it added.
The policy center further said that in addition to the increase in SSS premiums for OFWs, the
migrant workers would also need to shell out more money to pay to PhilHealth, from the current
fixed rate of P2,400 a year to a salary-based P6,864 by September of this year, for overseas
domestic workers.
“The salaries of our domestic workers abroad have been stagnant for more than a decade. Asking
them to pay that much considering that they will be away from the country for at least two years,
would cause undue burden given their vulnerable status and work conditions,” Ople said.
Under the draft IRR presented by PhilHealth officials to various OFW groups, the minimum
contributions of an overseas domestic worker will reach up to P12,480 per year in 2024.
Don't miss out on the latest news and information.
TAGS: Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Hong Kong protest, overseas employment certificate, SSS
premium increase
Reference:
Roxas, P. A. V. (2019, June 03). OFW hospital bill gets House nod. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 23,
2019 from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1126207/ofw-hospital-bill-gets-house-nod
OFW hospital bill gets House nod

By: Pathricia Ann V. Roxas - Reporter / @PathRoxasINQ
INQUIRER.net / 04:15 PM June 03, 2019
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved on

third and final reading a bill establishing a hospital that would provide health care services to
overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents.
The chamber approved House Bill No. 9202 with 180 affirmative votes, and no negative vote or
abstention. HB 9202 was approved at the committee level and on second reading last May 28.
Principally authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the bill seeks the creation of an OFW
Hospital with at least tertiary level care and under the full administrative and technical
supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).
The proposed law also specifically states that the facility should provide comprehensive and total
health care services to all migrant workers, including Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA) contributors, whether active or inactive and their legal dependents, and conduct
medical examinations of would-be overseas contract workers duly covered by an approved job
order.
The measure also mandates that the hospital will serve as the primary referral hospital for
repatriated OFWs needing medical assistance and support and set up systems that would
effectively monitor the condition of patients and generate relevant health information and data
for policy formulation.
The hospital should also participate in the health care provider networks and arrangements
relative to the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act.”
Under the bill, the Secretary of Labor and Employment, as chair of the OWWA Board, is tasked to
ensure that existing health benefits and medical assistance programs are strengthened to include,
among others, subsidies on hospitalization and medical procedures for OFWs and their qualified
dependents.
It also provides for the creation of a Joint Executive Oversight Committee on OFW Hospital to
review and recommend hospital development plans and ensure implementation of the measure.
The funding, according to the bill, would come from the DOH budget under the annual General
Appropriations Act.
Arroyo earlier lamented that despite improvements in occupational health and safety worldwide,
OFWs suffer from a growing list of physical and mental health problems due to risks associated
with the nature of their employment.
In 2017, the DOH provided assistance to 101 medically repatriated overseas Filipinos. Neurologic,
cardiovascular and cancer problems were the top cases for medical repatriation, according to the
Pampanga 2nd district congresswoman.
She added that claims from OFWs and their dependents from the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth) amounted to P1.7 million, including those who were confined in
hospitals abroad.
“The establishment of a national hospital facility with departmentalized clinical services and
select specialty care for OFWs and their families is being proposed to fill in these gaps,” Arroyo
said in a statement.
HB 9202 substituted HB 9194 authored by Arroyo and Rep. Angelina Tan, HB 1672 by Rep. Strike
Revilla, HB 2187 by Rep. Florida Robes, and HB 4621 by Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (Editor: Eden
Estopace)
Reference:
Mercado, N. A. (2019, May 05). We can’t withhold OFW passports for forced repatriation —
Locsin. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/175124/we-cant-withhold-ofw-passports-for-forced-
repatriation-locsin
We can’t withhold OFW passports for forced repatriation — Locsin

By: Neil Arwin Mercado - Reporter / @NAMercadoINQ
INQUIRER.net / 12:19 PM May 05, 2019
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has slammed the idea of
threatening overseas Filipinos of having their passports withheld to force them to participate in
government programs.
Locsin made the statement after Alert Level IV was raised in Tripoli and nearby districts amid the
escalating violence in and around the Libyan capital.
While Alert Level IV entails mandatory repatriation, Locsin has been vocal that the final decision
to return home is still in the hands of the Filipinos themselves.
“Any suggestion to COMPEL OFWs to join any government program by threatening to withhold
their passports (which is my exclusive authority) is illegal and I will stop it. Period,” Locsin said
in a tweet Saturday.
“I will do worse than fornicate dry the official’s ears. Do not even approach me,” he added.
Any suggestion to COMPEL OFWs to join any government program by threatening to withhold
their passports (which is my exclusive authority) is illegal and I will stop it. Period. I will do worse
than fornicate dry the official’s ears. Do not even approach me.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised the alert level in Tripoli and nearby areas “due
to increased threats to the safety and security of the more than 1,000 Filipinos who are still there.”
Chargé d’Affaires Elmer Cato said the number of Filipinos repatriated from the strife-torn country
has come to 40.
The latest batch of repatriated Filipinos arrived in Manila on Saturday with the assistance of DFA’s
rapid response team.
The latest repatriates from Libya have just landed in Manila. The six Filipinos, who were
evacuated from Tripoli by @PhinLibya a few days ago, arrived with members of the Rapid
Response Teams from @DFAPHL. @teddyboylocsin pic.twitter.com/ndijSiGLig
— Elmer G Cato (@elmer_cato) May 3, 2019
Cato said two Filipinos in Libya had sustained injuries due to rocket attacks in Tripoli. /cbb
TAGS: DFA, Libya, News, OFW, Passport, repatriation, Teodoro Locsin Jr., Tripoli
Reference:
Marquez, C. (2019, March 02). Duterte signs into law Handbook for OFWs Act. INQUIRER.net.
Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1091355/duterte-signs-into-
law-handbook-for-ofws-act
Knowing the rights and benefits of overseas Filipino workers

Duterte signs into law Handbook for OFWs Act
By: Consuelo Marquez - Reporter / @CMarquezINQ
INQUIRER.net / 03:03 PM March 02, 2019
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the bill that offers handbooks
for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) containing their rights and benefits.
Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11227 or “Handbook for OFWs Act of 2018” on Feb. 22, 2019,
which was only issued to media on Saturday.
The new law seeks to “publish, disseminate and update a handbook on the rights and
responsibilities of migrant workers” which also amended Republic Act No. 8042 or the “Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.”
It also aims to empower OFWs by making them fully aware of their benefits and drawbacks of
working overseas.
The law will also provide a basic information on the labor and living conditions in the country of
the worker’s destination.
The agencies mandated to implement the law are Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) in coordination with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Inter-
Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
The amount needed for continuous publication, distribution and update of the OFW Handbook
will be taken from the appropriations of POEA. /jpv
2018
Reference:
Nawal, A. (2018, April 26). Duterte: Gov’t to take every opportunity to uphold, protect OFWs’
rights. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/166190/duterte-ofw-rights-protect-asean-government-
overseas-filipino-worker
Duterte: Gov’t to take every opportunity to uphold, protect OFWs’ rights

By: Allan Nawal - Correspondent / @inqmindanao
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:49 PM April 26, 2018
DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said the government was ready to seize
every opportunity it can for the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
In his pre-departure speech for Singapore for the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(Asean) Summit, Duterte said the Filipino people can be confident the government was working
for the protection of OFWs.
“Rest assured that your government will take every opportunity [and] use every available venue
to uphold and protect the rights of our countrymen working abroad,” he said.
He said that at the Asean Summit, he was expected to “discuss with my fellow Asean Leaders
regional and global threats on peace, security, especially terrorism in our area.”
“What would interest me really there is articulate the plight of migrant workers. We are among
the (countries) with many (workers in foreign lands),” the President said.
Singapore is among Asean countries that host OFWs. The others include Malaysia and Thailand.
“We shall promote the further implementation [and operationalization] of outcome documents,
particularly the Asean Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant
Workers and the Asean Declaration [on] the Role of the Civil Service as Catalyst to Realize Asean
Vision 2025,” Duterte said.
He said he was also slated to meet OFWs in Singapore to know their situation and condition there.
“Upon my return, as usual, I shall report what we have achieved as we continue to stay true to our
mandate of serving the best interests of our nation and people,” Duterte added.
The President said the 32nd Asean Summit in Singapore would also become a venue for Asean
leaders to “continue working closely to further strengthen community-building and advance
greater peace, security and stability in the region.”
“As a responsible state, the Philippines remains committed to engage our partners to achieve the
change that we want and need,” Duterte said.
“Singapore’s theme of a Resilient and Innovative Asean helps push forward the thematic priorities
pursued during the Philippines’ Asean Chairmanship,” he added.
Duterte said Asean nations were also hoped to enhance regional interconnectivity and “address
traditional and emerging threats” with the technology and innovation.
“We will continue to work towards the realization of Asean Vision 2025 by identifying and
prioritizing initiatives that will move forward [action] lines in the Asean’s political-security,
economic, and socio-cultural communities,” Duterte added.
The President did not take questions from the media, saying he was in hurry.
The President left for Singapore aboard what he described as a borrowed jet.
He said he would have to “to pay for the fuel” and the pilots and the “stewardesses.” /je
TAGS: ASEAN, Duterte, Government, OFW, overseas Filipino worker, protect, rights
NEWS ARTICLES FROM PHILIPPINE STAR
2019
Reference:
The Freeman. (2019, July 17). EDITORIAL - Department of Overseas Filipinos. The Freeman.
Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://www.philstar.com/the-
freeman/opinion/2019/07/17/1935382/editorial-department-overseas-filipinos
Opinion
EDITORIAL - Department of Overseas Filipinos
(The Freeman) - July 17, 2019 - 12:00am
Before the year will end, a separate department that will focus on the concerns of hundreds of
thousands of Filipinos working overseas will start to operate as proposed by no less than
President Rodrigo Duterte.
Acting on the president’s proposal, neophyte senator Bong Go filed Senate Bill 202, or the
Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of 2019, seeking the establishment of a department that
will oversee all issues regarding Filipinos working abroad.
Once the Department of Overseas Filipinos takes effect, it will handle all the functions of the
Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration,
Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, the
Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and the International Labor Affairs Bureau.
It will also be the third department created in less than five years following the establishment of
the Department of Transportation and the Department of Information and Communications
Technology, which used to be the Department of Transportation and Communication.
Lawmakers should rally behind Go’s bill and make it an urgent priority for the sake of millions of
Filipinos now working in other countries who had to endure homesickness and all the risks just
to provide for their families.
By creating a department that fully assists them, it is time for the government to truly honor our
OFWs whom it brands as modern-day heroes and whose remittances have kept the wheels of the
national economy turning.
In order for Congress to prioritize the proposed measure, OFWs and their families and other
stakeholders should lobby for Duterte to certify the OFW Department Bill as urgent for it to be
immediately passed into law.
The Department of Overseas Filipinos should have been established a long time ago. Amid the
abuses of Filipinos doing menial jobs abroad by their employers and against applicants by
unscrupulous recruiters, it’s unfortunate that the government has never been religious in looking
after their welfare.
Reference:
Escudero, M. (2019, July 16). Social welfare attaché sa mga OFW itatalaga. Pilipino Star Ngayon.
Retrieved July 23, 2019 from https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-
ngayon/bansa/2019/07/16/1935163/social-welfare-attach-sa-mga-ofw-itatalaga
Social welfare attaché sa mga OFW itatalaga

Malou Escudero (Pilipino Star Ngayon) - July 16, 2019 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Nilagdaan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kahapon ang isang batas na
lumilikha sa Office for Social Welfare Attache na tutulong sa mga overseas Filipino workers
(OFWs) lalo na sa mga biktima ng illegal recruitment.
Ang Republic Act no. 11299 na ipinalabas kahapon ng Malakanyang ay nag-aamyenda sa Republic
Act no. 8042 o “Migrant Workers Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995” para ibilang ang naturang
tanggapan.
Itinatadhana ng batas sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na magtalaga

ng social welfare attaches sa mga bansa na may maraming OFW.
Inaasahang panga-ngasiwaan ng social attaché ang mga kaso ng distressed OFW, mag-survey sa
sitwasyon ng mga OFW, magtatag ng network ng overseas-based social welfare agencies, at
imonitor ang mga reklamo o mga tanong ng mga OFW at ng kanilang pamilya.
Magiging prayoridad ng bagong tanggapan ang mga OFW na na-ngangailangan ng psychosocial

services lalo na yaong biktima ng illegal recruitment o trafficking, panggagahasa, abusong
seksuwal, pagmamaltrato at iba pang pang-aabuso.
Reference:
Romero, P. (2019, July 15). ‘OFWs department to lessen illegal recruitment, abuse’. The Philippine
Star. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/15/1934791/ofws-department-lessen-
illegal-recruitment-abuse
‘OFWs department to lessen illegal recruitment, abuse’

Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) - July 15, 2019 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The creation of a department that will look after the welfare of overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families would help lessen illegal recruitment and abuse while
hastening the delivery of services, senators said yesterday.
Senators Cynthia Villar and Christopher Go filed separate bills to ensure the welfare of Filipino
migrant workers, whom they credit for propping up the economy for decades through their
remittances.
Their bills seek to consolidate and streamline the functions of various concerned agencies,
including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration, Commission on Filipino Overseas, International Labor Affairs Bureau of the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs.
President Duterte on Saturday asked Congress to pass the bill creating a Department of OFWs by
December to put Philippine-based recruitment agencies under strict supervision of the
government.
“It is appropriate to create a government agency in the executive department, which shall have
the exclusive function of protecting and enforcing the welfare and rights of Filipinos overseas. We
need an empowered agency that will adequately support and give assistance to them,” Villar said.
Villar’s Senate Bill 141 seeks to create the Department of Migration and Development that is
meant to address the problem of redundant and difficult procedures and unnecessary fees that
government agencies impose on OFWs.
The proposed department is envisioned to develop, implement and improve coordination with
other countries with the presence of Filipinos, monitor foreign developments to ensure the most
reasonable working conditions for OFWs, and create a proactive approach in providing assistance
to them, especially in times of war and civil unrest, whether potential or apparent.
It will also promote, develop and monitor the continuing education, training and qualification,
availability and deployment of OFWs and coordinate with concerned agencies in the training of
overseas Filipinos to improve their competitiveness globally.
Meanwhile, Go’s SB 202 seeks to create the Department of Overseas Filipinos that will serve as a
one-stop shop in providing legal assistance to OFWs in distress; arrange a full migration cycle
approach in promoting migrant’s rights from pre-employment as well as onsite and reintegration
services.
The proposed department is also mandated to launch a shared database system that contains
important information of all OFWs to aid in tracking their status and fast-track the delivery of
assistance, especially to distressed workers.
Go said Duterte would like to put an end to manpower agencies that demand excessive fees from
Filipinos seeking jobs abroad and to protect Filipino migrant workers from abusive illegal
recruiters. This will be one of the primary functions of the department of OFWs once it is
established, according to the neophyte senator.
He said the bill seeks to address various issues, such as the need to improve coordination among
concerned offices, hence, the proposal to put them together under one roof to avoid
fingerpointing among agencies concerned with OFW affairs.
Go also assured OFWs they will not pay anything in excess to avail themselves of the services of
the proposed department once in place. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Rudy Santos
2014
Reference:
Orosa, R. L. (2014, July 06). News Analysis: Thai authorities urged to help Cambodian migrant
workers. The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://www.philstar.com/world/2014/07/06/1343144/news-analysis-thai-authorities-
urged-help-cambodian-migrant-workers
News Analysis: Thai authorities urged to help Cambodian migrant workers

Rosalinda L. Orosa (The Philippine Star) - July 6, 2014 - 1:10pm
BANGKOK (Xinhua) - Thailand should extend all necessary assistance to foreign migrant workers,
including Cambodians who earlier fled in panic, regardless of the recent release from Phnom Penh
prison of a convicted Thai spy, according to a human rights activist.
Over the weekend, Surapong Kongchanthuek, an independent human rights activist, called on the
ruling Thai military to take stringent measures against criminal syndicates believed to be
responsible in human trafficking victimizing a large number of Cambodian migrant workers in
Thailand.
Of a total of about 220,000 Cambodians who had scrambled to leave Thailand for fears of being
arrested as illegal aliens last month, only "thousands" have come back to Thai territory so far,
Surapong said.
He said the release by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni of Veera Somkwamkid, who had
served three and a half years in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar prison for espionage and illegal entry
charges, should by no means be considered an obstacle to the improvement of Thai- Cambodian
relations following the exodus of the Cambodian migrants from Thailand.
"The release of Veera may have been done merely based on Cambodian judicial process and
should not be related to a possible disruption of relationship between the two countries,"
Surapong said.
He said that the Thai military leaders may have intended to help him out, given the ruling powers
they attained by staging a coup in the name of the National Council for Peace and Order.
"And that should not have anything to do with bilateral relationship as a whole," said Surapong
who has specialized in the handling of exile-seeking migrants from Myanmar.
Veera, a former Yellow Shirt activist, was arrested with six other Thais for allegedly invading
Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province from across the eastern Thai border province
of Sakeow in 2010.
He and a woman colleague, Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, were detained and finally sentenced by a
Phnom Penh court to eight years and six years in jail on espionage and illegal entry charges.
Ratree was freed after she had served two years in jail.
Thai Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Sihasak Puangketkeow, who had visited the Cambodian
capital and met with Prime Minister Hun Sen, brought the freed Veera back to Bangkok last week.
The ruling Thai military is yet to find ways and means to bring back to Thailand Cambodian
migrant workers who had fled the country in panic after news spread out that they will be
arrested for illegal entry, Surapong added.
He said that the country could benefit from the Cambodian migrant workers, especially in
propping up the Thai economy.
"Without the Cambodian migrant workers, who are known to be hard workers, the Thai economy
would suffer," Surapong said, adding that the Thai authorities should provide them with
humanitarian aid as soon as they return.
Most of the Cambodians had been hired as unskilled workers at construction sites, fruit orchards
and manufacturing factories in Thailand.
Surapong's comments followed the reported support of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to
Thai ruler Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha's ongoing efforts in fighting human trafficking and in legalizing
the stay of all foreign workers in Thailand.
Gen Prayuth earlier instructed Thai diplomats and other officials to ask Cambodian authorities to
convince the migrant workers to return to their jobs in Thailand.
Thailand has migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia; some of them are documented
but some are illegal.
Labor officials said that there are now an estimated 2.5 million foreign workers throughout
Thailand and about half of them are said to have been hired illegally.
Reference:
Orosa, R. L. (2014, June 28). News Analysis: Rights group calls for human treatment of migrant
workers in Thailand. The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
https://www.philstar.com/world/2014/06/28/1340455/news-analysis-rights-group-
calls-human-treatment-migrant-workers-thailand
News Analysis: Rights group calls for human treatment of migrant workers in
Thailand
Rosalinda L. Orosa (The Philippine Star) - June 28, 2014 - 11:00pm
BANGKOK (Xinhua) - Thai authorities should treat migrant workers humanely and with
compassion even as they pursue their relentless campaign against human traffickers in the
country, a human rights activist has said here.
Sunai Pasuk, the Bangkok-based coordinator for the Human Rights Watch, has called on the Thai
authorities to treat migrant workers from any foreign country as victims of human trafficking
syndicates and therefore should be given assistance instead of being subjected to indignities.
Instead of being arrested for illegal entry charges, those migrants should be given humanitarian
aid and eventually legalized as foreign workers, he said.
There is an estimated 2.5 million migrants employed for varied jobs in Thailand ranging from
unskilled construction workers, factory employees, fishermen, restaurant waitresses and house
servants.
These include some 430,000 Cambodians, about half of whom had recently scrambled out across
the Thai-Cambodian border in the wake of unconfirmed rumors of a sweeping crackdown on
illegal aliens.
However many have begun to return to their former jobs after the military government assured
them of their safety.
"Instead of arresting the migrant workers, the authorities should help them for humanitarian
reasons and see to it that they will be no longer abused.
Measures should be seriously taken to combat human trafficking in which some abusive
employers and corrupt officials may have been involved," he said.
The National Council for Peace and Order, the official name of the military junta that staged the
May 22 coup to depose a civilian government, said to have developed close and cordial
relationship with Phnom Penh, had dismissed such hearsay about crackdown on illegal foreign
workers and recommended that the Cambodian authorities persuade their migrant workers to
return to their jobs in Thailand.
According to the Human Rights Watch coordinator, the Thai authorities should also treat
Rohingya migrants who may have fled sectarian unrests in Myanmar as asylum seekers, instead
of being considered as aliens to be arrested for illegal entry charges and finally sent off to a third
country.
The Rohingya migrants were known to have paid large sums of money to human traffickers in
exchange for their being smuggled into Thai territory but only to end up working in Thai
sweatshops.
Sunai suggested that the authorities plug up legal loopholes to prevent the unscrupulous human
traffickers from taking advantage of the hapless migrant workers, including Rohingya migrants.
"The authorities have largely failed to clamp down on those law- evading traffickers and colluding
officials many of whom were said to have remained at large and even strived to make undue gains
by ways of labor abuses," he said.
He disclosed that Thailand used to be second in the United States government's list of countries
engaged in trafficking in persons for the past years.
Thailand has been relegated to the third tier due to reported failure to effectually combat human
trafficking, which in some cases had culminated in the "slavery" of migrant workers as alleged by
USSecretary of State John Kerry.
However, given the stringent measures taken by the ruling military, the country's human
trafficking report might be moved up from the lowest tier, Sunai commented.In order to stop the
illegal activities of human traffickers, top Thai ruler Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who currently heads
the military council, has assured the country that the authorities will legalize and regulate the
employment of foreign workers.
The army chief called on the employers at varied workplaces throughout the country to cooperate
by having all their foreign employees documented and kept under control of the law so that they
will no longer fall prey to human traffickers.
On orders of the ruling military, a few high-ranking labor officials have been removed from their
posts, including the heads of the Department of Employment and the Office of Foreign Workers
Administration.
NEWS ARTICLES FROM MANILA STANDARD
2019
Reference:
Ramos-Araneta, M. (2019, July 21). Senators seek creation of OFW department.
manilastandard.net. Retrieved July 23, 2019 from
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/300401/senators-seek-creation-of-ofw-
department.html
Senators seek creation of OFW department

posted July 21, 2019 at 11:00 pm by Macon Ramos-Araneta
Following numerous reports of complaints from overseas Filipino workers over the government’s
delayed and inadequate support, Senator Cynthia VIllar over the weekend called for the creation
of a separate department that will ensure the welfare of more than 12-million Filipinos abroad.
Senator Christopher Go said the proposed Department of OFW will focus on the needs and
concerns of Filipino migrant workers.
Go said functions of government agencies must be streamlined to provide fast, accessible and
quality services to OFWs and to aid their families here in the Philippines.
Villar said despite the presence of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, many OFWs
still feel they are neglected by the government.
Villar’s Senate Bill 141 seeks the creation of the Department of Migration and Development to
address the problem of redundant and difficult procedures and unnecessary fees government
agencies impose on OFWs.
“It is appropriate to create a government agency in the executive department which shall have
the exclusive function of protecting and enforcing the welfare and rights of Filipinos overseas,”
she said.
“We need an empowered agency that will adequately support and give assistance to them,” added
Villar, a known advocate of migrant Filipino workers.
The proposed department will also monitor foreign developments to ensure the most reasonable
working conditions for OFWs as well as a proactive approach in providing assistance to them,
especially in times of war and civil unrest, whether potential or apparent.
Villar’s bill also seeks to create the P1-billion Special Assistance Revolving Fund for Filipino
Migrants, including both documented and undocumented.
Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas records in 2018, the Nacionalista Party senator said OFWs’
remittances, which amount to $28.94 billion sent through formal channels and $32.21 billion
through personal remittances, are considered significant contributors to the country’s gross
domestic product that keep the economy buoyant.
Reference:
Cruz, M. (2019, June 12). Returning OFWs urged to avail selves of free school. manilastandard.net.
Retrieved July 23, 2019 from http://manilastandard.net/news/national/297132/returning-
ofws-urged-to-avail-selves-of-free-school.html
Returning OFWs urged to avail selves of free school

posted June 12, 2019 at 10:40 pm by Maricel Cruz
Returning migrant workers who are not college graduates are encouraged to take advantage of
the government’s tuition-free technical vocational education and training programs to enhance
their skills.
Armed with the skills that they will receive from such programs, ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz
III said the workers might seek higher paying jobs or put up their own businesses.
“Congress has set aside P3.9 billion this year so that Filipinos, including OFWs, who are not college
graduates may freely enroll in state-run or accredited private TVET schools without having to pay
for any tuition or miscellaneous fees,” said Bertiz.
Bertiz urged those aspiring to study for free in TVET schools to visit the website of the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority.
“In the TESDA website, returning OFWs can search for a new skill that they want to learn, and
also find online the nearest school that offers the desired program for free,” Bertiz, a former OFW,
said.
Zero tuition in TVET schools forms part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Universal Access to
Quality Tertiary Education, according to Bertiz.
“Actually, tuition and other fees are now free not just in state universities and colleges, but also
in government-run TVET institutions and even TESDA-registered private schools,” Bertiz said.
Bertiz cited some of the “high-value” TVET programs available for free to all Filipinos, including
returning OFWs and their family members:
• Aircraft maintenance and technology;
• Agricultural crops production;
• Animal health care and management;
• Animal production;
• Animation and 3D animation;
• Automotive servicing;
• Bread and pastry production;
• Computer systems servicing;
• Cookery;
• Dressmaking;
• Electrical installation and maintenance;
•Electronic products assembly and servicing;
• Refrigeration and air-conditioning servicing;
• Shielded metal and gas tungsten arc welding; and
• Visual graphic design.
“We say high-value because there is great demand nowadays—both here and abroad—for human
resources that can look after technical equipment or perform practical work—for people skilled
in the technique of a craft or art,” Bertiz said.
“TVET program completers can easily sell their skills to prospective employers or, better yet, use
their proficiencies to establish small tax-exempt shops under the Barangay Micro Business
Enterprises Law,” Bertiz said.
TVET is schooling that provides knowledge and competencies for immediate employment by
combining formal, non-formal and informal learning.
Reference:
Cruz, M. (2019, May 28). Bill creating OFW hospital okayed. manilastandard.net. Retrieved July
23, 2019 from http://manilastandard.net/news/national/295886/bill-creating-ofw-
hospital-okayed.html
Bill creating OFW hospital okayed

posted May 28, 2019 at 10:40 pm by Maricel Cruz
A panel in the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved House Bill 9194 establishing the
Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital which will promote the OFWs’ well-being in recognition of
their importance and contribution to economic development and nation-building.
The House committee on ways and means, chaired by Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija, on
Tuesday approved the bill authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Arroyo, who attended the hearing, explained to the panel that representatives from the
Department of Budget and Management were present during the approval of the bill in the
Committee on Health and they posed no objection, particularly on its tax provision.
Department of Finance Director for Research and Information Office Juvy Danofrata said the tax
provision of the bill embraced the standard exemption under the Tax Code and the Customs
Modernization and Tariff Act.
“Everything here is already provided in the Tax Code and the CMTA,” she said.
Deputy Administrator Josefino Torres of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration agreed
with its passage because the tax provision shall “enjoin donors to come forward to support the
translation of the bill to real terms.”
As Executive Director Donaldo Boo of the National Tax Research Center proposed to reword the
tax provision for uniformity and better implementation, Deputy Speaker Evelina Escudero moved
for its amendment to read as follows:
“All grants, requests, endowments, donations and contributions made to the OFW Hospital to be
used actually, directly and exclusively by the Hospital shall be exempt from donor’s tax and the
same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor, in
accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 as amended, and
the importation of equipment, machineries and spare parts, which are used solely and exclusively
for the operations of the Hospital, and are not available locally, shall be exempt from value-added
tax and Customs Duty.”
The measure recognizes that the State is mandated to protect and promote the right to health of
the Filipino people and to instill health consciousness among them.
To this end, the Philippine government shall adopt integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development, and protect the interest and promote the well-being of OFWs as recognition
of their importance and contribution on economic development and nation building.
“Despite improvements in occupational health and safety worldwide, OFWs suffer from a growing
list of physical and mental health problems due to risks associated with the nature of their
employments…The country needs to do more, especially in paving better access, and in providing
higher quality of healthcare,” said Arroyo.
Through the bill, the hospital shall be established with at least tertiary level of care. It shall be
developed consistent with the health care needs of the OFWs and their dependents.
The Department of Health shall then be directed to undertake the full administrative and
technical supervision of the Hospital.
As provided in the measure, the Hospital shall pursue the following main objectives: (a) provide
comprehensive health care services; (b) conduct medical examinations to ensure the physical and
mental capability of would-be overseas contract workers; (c) serve as primary referral hospital
for repatriated OFWs who need medical assistance; (d) set up systems that will effectively
monitor the condition of patients and to generate relevant health information for policy
formulation; and (e) participate in the health care provider networks and arrangements relative
to the implementation of Republic Act 11223 or the “Universal Health Care Act.”
In addition, the Department of Labor and Employment-OWWA shall also be tasked to strengthen
its existing health care benefits and medical assistance programs to provide subsidies to the
Hospital for qualified OFWs and legal dependent patients.
During the deliberations, Roderick Napulen, Statistician-Development Management Officer of the

Department of Health National Center for Health Facility Development, expressed the DoH’s
appreciation for Arroyo for sponsoring the OFW Hospital.
Reference:
Cruz, M. (2019, March 27). Solon bats for OFW help desks in barangays. manilastandard.net.
Retrieved July 23, 2019 from http://manilastandard.net/news/national/291121/solon-
bats-for-ofw-help-desks-in-barangays.html
Solon bats for OFW help desks in barangays

posted March 27, 2019 at 10:40 pm by Maricel Cruz
A party-list lawmaker on Wednesday vowed to make available overseas Filipino worker

assistance desks in all barangays across the country to address the demands and expectations of
OFWs and their families.
ACTS-OFW Party-list Rep. John Bertiz III said he wants to bring immediate assistance to migrant
workers and their families by putting up assistance desks in every barangays in the country, bring
their programs and services closer especially to barangays located away from the city center.
“Our barangays are the front-liners in delivering basic government services to our people. We
hope we can bring the government closer to our OFWs and their families by setting up OFW
assistance desk in each barangay,” said Bertiz, member of the House minority bloc.
“It is safe to say that most, if not all, of our barangays have families with migrant workers risking
their lives abroad and enduring all hardships to provide for their loved ones in the country. We
want to get our people feel their government,” he added.
Reference:
Ramos-Araneta, M. (2019, February 11). Koko seeks creation of OFW department.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/287583/koko-seeks-creation-of-ofw-
department.html
Koko seeks creation of OFW department

posted February 11, 2019 at 11:00 pm by Macon Ramos-Araneta
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Monday renewed his call for the immediate creation of a
national level Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW).
He said the government cannot ignore a substantial chunk of the population, almost one in every
11 Filipinos, is working and toiling overseas, and their welfare needs to be fully ensured and
protected at all times.
“We’re talking about scale here. Yes, we have the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), but both
these government agencies are already understaffed to meet the growing number and demands
of our OFWs,” he said.
For instance, he said OWWA has already complained in 2018 that it has just 420 staff worldwide,
300 locally and 120 abroad, addressing the concerns of 10 million OFWs.
A dedicated executive department for our foreign workers is the solution,” Pimentel said.
The lawmaker from Mindanao also cited recent reports that the Philippines stands to lose as
much as $1.5 billion worth of remittances due to the projected 10 to 15 percent decrease in the
deployment of overseas Filipino workers particularly to the Middle East due to declining global
oil prices.
The report showed that up to 100,000 jobs for OFWs will be lost due to the precarious financial
situation of Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries due to lower crude oil prices.
“That’s a big number, considering Saudi Arabia is the most preferred country of destination
among OFWs at 25.4%, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Other Middle East
countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait follow suit at 15.3% and 6.7%,
respectively.”
Last year, around 3,000 workers were repatriated through the OWWA. Deployment likewise
declined by 10 percent due to the instability of cr ude oil prices.
“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has lowered the growth targets for both personal and cash
remittances to three percent instead of four percent for 2019. We need a more proactive stance
to stem this decline,” Pimentel noted.
“We need a national level policy, implemented by a separate government department, that
squarely addresses key employment trends and developments abroad because these have direct
economic consequences back home. When foreign countries freeze hiring of skilled and unskilled
workers, or when maritime agencies rationalize the hiring of our seafarers, the economic
consequences are direct and immediately felt.”
“I believe that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) can be tasked to focus
exclusively on domestic employment while a separate department can handle overseas
employment,” Pimentel said.
The creation of a separate department for OFWs was one of the campaign promises of President
Rodrigo Duterte.
The Mindanao-born lawmaker, for his part, filed on May 10, 2017 Senate Bill 1445, “An Act
Creating the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, Defining its Powers and Functions,
Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes.”
“We urgently need this OFW Department. Deployment of workers abroad is not a temporary
phenomenon. I agree that our main goal is still to provide a good employment environment here,
but the fact is there are millions of Filipino workers abroad. There will always be those who will
choose to work abroad, even if their numbers may dwindle or even if they will eventually come
back home to retire. We should offer our modern Filipino heroes greater focus and protection
than we give them at the moment,” Pimentel said.
Reference:
Araja, R. N. (2019, January 09). CHR, Qatar to protect OFW rights. manilastandard.net. Retrieved
July 23, 2019 from http://manilastandard.net/news/national/284960/chr-qatar-to-protect-
ofw-rights.html
CHR, Qatar to protect OFW rights

posted January 09, 2019 at 11:30 pm by Rio N. Araja
The Commission on Human Rights and Qatar government have partnered to protect the rights of
overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Chairperson Jose Luis “Chito” Gascon and Dr. Ali Al Marri, National Human Rights Committee of
Qatar signed a cooperation agreement for the welfare of over 250,00 OFWs in Qatar on work-
related complaints.
Gascon said their partnership was a welcome development to advance the human rights
protection of every a Filipino worker in Qatar.
Under the bilateral agreement, the Philippines and Qatar came up with 10 areas of cooperation
on the improvement of public awareness on human rights principles both for Filipinos and
Qataris.
The partnership will cover a term of three years.
Al Marri gave the OFWs the assurance that they could now bring up their concerns not only to the
Doha Embassy but also to the National Human Rights Committee.
“[Filipino] Migrant workers can come to us directly. We will take actions to help them [OFWs]
resolve their problem,” she said.
CHR was the first national human rights institution established in Southeast Asia in 1987.
2018
Reference:
Zurbano, J. E. (2018, November 06). All OFWs exempt from terminal fees—CAAP.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/279876/all-ofws-exempt-from-terminal-fees-
caap.html
All OFWs exempt from terminal fees—CAAP

posted November 06, 2018 at 11:20 pm by Joel E. Zurbano
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Tuesday clarified a statement from the
Department of Labor and Employment asking the agency to refund the P500-million terminal fees
and travel taxes paid by Overseas Filipino Workers.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said all OFWs registered at the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration are exempt from terminal fees.
He cited Section 22 of RA 10022 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act) which provides
“All laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the migrant workers shall be exempt from the payment
of travel tax and airport fee upon proper showing of proof of entitlement by the POEA.”
However, Apolonio said the OFW must personally claim for the refund because the point of sale
cannot recognize if the purchaser is an OFW or not.
“This is complicated further because it is the airlines that collect terminal fees,” he said.
Apolonio added that CAAP collects Terminal Fees only on its seven international airports namely,
Puerto Princesa, Davao, Gensan, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Kalibo and Laoag, which are seldom, use by
OFWs in leaving for their destination abroad.
The CAAP, is an attached agency of the Department of Transportation, just like separate airport
authorities like the Manila International Airport Authority, Clark, Mactan-Cebu and Lalo.
“These authorities have their own refund procedures as well,” said Apolonio.
Travel taxes are normally included in the ticket fare and are collected by Tourism Infrastructure
and Enterprise Zone Authority, not CAAP, he added.
The Manila International Airport Authority officials said earlier that OFWs are exempted from
paying terminal fee charges by just presenting their Overseas Employment Certificates issued by
the POEA when buying airline tickets.
More than P500 million of unclaimed refund for OFWs are still at the general fund of Ninoy Aquino
International Airport.
MIAA officials, meanwhile, have proposed to raise the terminal fees to cover the cost of service
improvements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal said the terminal fee adjustment would be implemented in
the second quarter next year.
According to Monreal, the NAIA terminal fee is cheapest compared to Mactan Cebu International
Airport which charged international travelers with P850, and P300 for the domestic passengers.
In Subic Bay International Airport, the rate is P650 for international and P150 for domestic while
Clark International Airport charge air travelers with P600 terminal fee for international and P150
for domestic trip, he added.
Under the proposal, NAIA wanted the terminal fee or the International Passenger Service Charge
(IPSC) for international flights to be P750 from the present rate of P550, and for domestic flights,
the proposed rate is P300 from the present rate of P200.
Monreal said the proposal has already been discussed in public hearings and was approved by
the MIAA board, which the management agreed to impose in April 2019.
The terminal fee hike, Monreal said, will also cover the airport operational expenses such as on
infrastructures and service improvements, and other expenses.
The new terminal fees will also be included in the plane tickets and paid by the airlines.

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(HRep-KDC) HD 5856 P6 A8 2007

(HRep-KDC) K 3240 P55 [2014?]

[See pdf/file attachment or click cited link]

(HRep-KDC) HD 5856 P6 R43 2007 [See pdf/file attachment]

(YRC) KPM 2150 A3 1995 P5 2003

Subjects--Topical Terms: Filipinos--Employment--Legal status, laws, etc. ; Foreign workers,

[See pdf/file attachment or click cited link]

[See pdf/file attachment or click cited link]

ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of

HEREBY DECLARE AS FOLLOWS:

OBLIGATIONS OF RECEIVING STATES

OBLIGATIONS OF SENDING STATES

For Brunei Darussalam:

HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH

For the Kingdom of Cambodia:

SAMDECH HUN SEN

For the Republic of Indonesia:

DR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO

DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI

For the Union of Myanmar:

GENERAL SOE WIN

For the Republic of the Philippines:

For the Republic of Singapore:

LEE HSIEN LOONG

For the Kingdom of Thailand:

GENERAL SURAYUD CHULANONT (RET.)

For the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam:

NGUYEN TAN DUNG

Philippines Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and

12. Letter of Instructions No. 527

16. Recruitment for Overseas Work Law

17. Foreign Investments Act of 1991

ASEAN intensifies campaign efforts for migrant workers’ rights

Recognising the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation and cross-sectoral collaboration,

The next ACMW Meeting will be held in 2020 in Vietnam.

Cambodia Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and Practices

Singapore Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and Practices

Indonesia Policy Repository on Migrant Workers’ Legislation and Practices

1. Law of The Republic of Indonesia No. 18 of 2017 on Protection of Indonesian Migrant

BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 185

Be it enacted by the Batasang Pambansa in session assembled:

SECTION 1. In implementation of Section fifteen of Article XIV of the Constitution, a

SEC. 4. As used in this Act—

(b) Urban areas shall include:

a. Street pattern, i.e., network of streets in either at parallel or right angle

4. A public building like a school, hospital, pueri-culture and health center or

Approved, March 16, 1982.

WHEREAS, it is necessary to protect the welfare of families, dependents and beneficiaries of

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the

a) Seamen or mariners: Seventy (70) percent of basic salary;

b) Workers of Filipino contractors and construction companies: Seventy (70) percent of

a. Confirmed bank (foreign) remittance form;

d. Receipt of International Postal Money Order.

SECTION 6. Remittances of foreign exchange earnings may be undertaken individually by the

SECTION 7. As a prerequisite for accreditation by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, an

(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS

(Sgd.) JUAN C. TUVERA

Source: Malacañang Records Office