Senator Bong Go has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to strengthen its support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by ensuring round-the-clock services and providing emotional assurance to their families.
During a recent Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing, Go emphasized the importance of accessible assistance for Filipinos working abroad, urging the DFA to maintain a constant line of communication and readiness.
“Your office must be open to our fellowmen overseas and you must be ready to serve them 24/7,” Go said in Filipino during the confirmation hearing for 24 senior and mid-level DFA officials.
Among those confirmed was former DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, who was appointed as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.
Go stressed that beyond physical safety, it is equally vital to address the emotional well-being of OFW families. “They should have peace of mind. There must be an office they can readily call,” he added.
As part of his ongoing advocacy for migrant workers, Go highlighted two key legislative proposals. Senate Bill 414 aims to institutionalize the OFW Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga, originally built under the Duterte administration. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1290, known as the “OFW Ward Act,” seeks to require all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals to allocate specific wards for OFWs and their families.
