DFA chief wants reforms in halfway houses abroad to protect OFWs


To further protect distressed overseas Filipino workers, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday said there is a need to reform halfway houses abroad.

During a Senate inquiry on the alleged sex-for-flight scheme, del Rosario noted how most alleged victims of sexual abuse are wards of Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRC) or commonly known as "Bahay Kalinga."

"The FWRCs need to be upgraded to be more responsive to the needs of the OFWs," the Cabinet official said during the probe.

The Senate blue ribbon committee is conducting an inquiry on how OFWs in the Middle East were sexually abused by some labor and embassy officials abroad.

Del Rosario however said that so far, no OFW has come forward with a complaint against any foreign affairs personnel.

He added however that three personnel from his department may have committed "infractions" that merit administrative sanctions.

The DFA is partially in-charge of halfway houses for distressed OFWs. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has direct supervision over the FWRCs. — Andreo Calonzo /LBG, GMA News

Tags: Albert Del Rosario

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