Relax tight COA rules on OWWA funds so distressed OFWs may be helped - Marcos


By: Karl John C. Reyes, InterAksyon.com
January 8, 2013 12:06 PM

Overseas Filipino workers from Libya. FILE PHOTO

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday proposed to introduce measures that will liberalize the rules of Commission on Audit (COA) to remove clogs preventing the release of funds from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) providing assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in trouble abroad.

“Tight rules of Commission on Audit restrict the government from helping OFWs in distress abroad who need financial assistance,” Marcos said in a news release.

The senator said OWWA’s huge funds remain largely untapped because of COA rules and regulations on their use.

“If necessary, I am ready to introduce the proper legislation to remedy the situation,” Marcos said.
OWWA is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment. It is a lead membership welfare institution that serves the interest and welfare of member-OFWs. It collects $25 membership contributions from every OFW going abroad.

An OWWA member is entitled to insurance health care benefits, loan guaranteed fund, education and training, social services and family welfare assistance, and workers assistance and on-site services.

Under-served OFWs
According to www.pinoy-ofw.com, OWWA covered a total of 1,087,657 OFWs with welfare protection in 2007, and of which 10 percent or 105,738 were enrolled for overseas renewal and voluntary membership. The total contribution amounted to P1,390,532.365.03.

However, Marcos said that due to the COA rules instituted by various administrations, OWWA could not address the needs of distressed OFWs - ironically the reason why the OWWA trust fund was established in the first place.
 “That is why there is a need to relax the rules and regulations of COA so that these funds can be used to help our workers abroad,” he said.

“Ang laging nagiging problema ng ating mga OFW ay nagkakaproblema ng legal, nagkakakaso, iyung hindi makauwi, iyung nag-overstaying na at nadedeport, may namatayan, kailangan iuwi (The common problem of our OFWs is legal. They have a case, they cannot leave for home, they overstay and are deported, they die and they cannot come home),” he added.

The senator pointed out that while the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is trying its best to help OFWs in trouble, its efforts are hindered by insufficient funds.

“What we need to do is to provide the necessary funds to the DFA because problematic OFWs run to our embassies and consulates for assistance. The DFA is willing and ready to help but they don’t have enough funds for example to hire lawyers to defend OFWs who have pending cases in court,” Marcos said. 

He stressed that the COA should now revisit its policy and rules to make them responsive to the requirements of OFWs facing problems abroad by removing restrictions in using OWWA funds. 

In 2011, a special audit team conducted by DOLE to account more than P1 billion of its funds collected from OFWs. 

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