The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers as it marked three decades since the passage of Republic Act 8042, better known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.
During the kickoff ceremony in Mandaluyong City on Monday, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia underscored the importance of the law in institutionalizing support and protection for OFWs. “This is the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the most important piece of legislation in 1995… a framework of our protection, for our OFWs,” Olalia said in a speech.
He emphasized the agency’s unwavering commitment to serve OFWs in return for their sacrifices. “Bawat buhay, bawat sakripisyo, bawat paghihirap ng OFW ay aming pong kinikilala at bilang kapalit, ibibigay po namin yung buong tibay… para po sa ating mga OFWs,” he added.
Olalia recalled that before the enactment of the law, the government lacked a unified approach to addressing OFW concerns. Today, through mechanisms such as the “one-country team approach,” Filipino workers abroad are assured of coordinated government assistance in cases of repatriation, reintegration, or rescue.
As celebrations unfold, the DMW also faces pressure from an ongoing controversy surrounding the purchase of land by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Olalia said the department is actively conducting an internal investigation to determine who authorized the transaction, whether proper procedures were followed, and why the deal reportedly bypassed approval from the OWWA Board of Trustees.
“We are gathering all the important documents so that we can know who gave the order, who is responsible… and we are finding out the reason why it did not go through the OWWA Board of Trustees,” he said.
Olalia also noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the new OWWA administrator to restore integrity within the agency. Despite the scrutiny facing former officials, Olalia said services for OFWs must remain uninterrupted.
