ACT-CIS party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo said he plans to file a bill aimed at improving the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) should he secure a seat in the Senate.
In a GMA News Online report, Tulfo stressed the need to strengthen the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) and improve coordination among the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Philippine embassies to address cases of abuse against OFWs more efficiently.
“We cannot rely solely on the compliance of foreign employers with pre-deployment requirements. The DMW and other related agencies must triple their efforts in ensuring that employment contracts are strictly followed—whatever it takes,” Tulfo said.
He emphasized the urgency of the matter, adding, “We can no longer settle for the bare minimum when it comes to the rights and welfare of OFWs. This is not just about their livelihood—it is a matter of life and death.”
Tulfo is running under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate.
Meanwhile, fellow Alyansa senatorial candidate Senator Lito Lapid expressed support for halting the reimplementation of cashless toll collection across expressways, citing ongoing issues with RFID systems.
“Sa ating obserbasyon, hindi nagtutugma ang nakakabit na RFID kaya madalas din hindi nababasa ng mga sensor sa toll gates. Marami rin ang insufficient o nauubusan ng load dahil hindi alam kung may balanse pa kapag nag e-exit sa tollways,” Lapid said.
He also called for a unified RFID system to avoid further inconvenience for motorists. “Kaya, napapanahon na maging mas moderno at iisa na lang ang RFID na gagamitin ng mga motorista upang mas episyente at maiwasan na ang aberya sa mga toll gate,” he added.
