Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday urged fellow lawmakers to increase the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) proposed 2026 budget, stressing that the current allocation fails to reflect the immense contributions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the national economy.
During the Senate’s budget deliberations, Tulfo said the P10.2 billion being sought by the DMW is far too small compared to the P2.2 trillion in remittances sent by OFWs in 2024—an amount equivalent to 8.3% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Parang hindi naman ata ito tama. Napakaliit ng P10.2 billion na hinihingi ng DMW kumpara sa trilyong pinapasok ng ating mga OFWs,” he said, adding that OFWs are among the key drivers of the country’s economic growth.
He vowed full support for the budgets of both the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), saying he would advocate for higher funding if needed to ensure that OFWs receive proper protection and assistance.
“Kung kinakailangan pang taasan ang budget upang maibigay ang nararapat para sa kanila, ipaglalaban natin at dadagdagan natin ‘yan,” Tulfo said. “Nandito rin ako para siguraduhin na ang pondo ay nagagamit ng wasto at naaayon sa batas.”
Tulfo also commended the DMW and OWWA for their recent reforms through Advisory No. 25 issued on August 22, 2025. The measure introduced initiatives such as the “Know Your Employer” program, a wage hike for domestic workers from $400 to $500, free annual medical check-ups, employer-paid hospitalization, and the “Kumusta Kabayan” welfare monitoring app. It also strengthened accommodation standards, established a whitelisting system for agencies, and reaffirmed OFWs’ right to keep their passports.
The senator further lauded advisories protecting seafarers by allowing rerouting away from conflict zones like the Red Sea and the Gulf of Yemen, and ensuring their right to refuse unsafe voyages without losing pay. He also welcomed the new Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) rules prohibiting agencies from charging OFWs for mandatory medical tests—a reform he personally pushed for.
“I will continue to encourage you to serve our OFWs with utmost dignity,” Tulfo said. “Katuwang ninyo po ako sa pagbibigay ng kaukulang serbisyo, proteksyon at pagkalinga para sa ating mga Bagong Bayani.”
