A measure seeking to shield overseas Filipino workers from shrinking remittance values is set to take center stage in the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs this week, as lawmakers prepare to tackle House Bill No. 275 in a scheduled hearing on Feb. 24.
Committee chair and AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla signaled strong backing for the proposed OFW Remittance Protection Act, citing growing international charges that could reduce the amount families receive from abroad. He pointed to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data showing that 95 percent of remittances are allocated to food and other essential household expenses, underscoring their role as a financial backbone for millions of Filipino households.
“Hindi na dapat mabawasan pa bawat remittance ipinapadala ng ating mga OFWs sa kanilang pamilya. Literal na dugo’t pawis ang kanilang puhunan dito. Kahit mukhang maliit ang isang porsyento, ramdam pa rin ito sa bulsa mga Bagong Bayani – lalo na sa patuloy na pagtaas ng mga serbisyo’t bilihin,” Revilla said.
The lawmaker raised the issue following the rollout of a one percent federal tax in the United States on certain international remittances funded through cash, money orders, and cashier’s checks, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Although electronic and bank-based transfers are excluded, he noted that workers without reliable access to digital financial services could still feel the impact.
With the United States contributing around 40 percent of total remittance inflows to the Philippines, Revilla warned that even marginal deductions can carry significant consequences. “OFW remittances are more than economic statistics. Ito ay pagkain sa mesa, matrikula ng mga anak, at panggastos sa araw-araw. Kapag may bawas, kabuhayan agad ang tinatamaan,” he added.
House Bill No. 275 outlines measures aimed at curbing excessive service charges, requiring full disclosure of exchange rates and related fees, penalizing exploitative practices by financial entities, and providing mandatory financial education to overseas workers and their families.
Revilla maintained that protecting migrant workers’ earnings is a pressing obligation while longer-term strategies for domestic employment generation remain under development.
“Habang wala pa ang pangmatagalang solusyon sa labor migration, tungkulin nating tiyakin na napoprotektahan ang kita ng ating mga OFWs,” he said.
