OFW advocates renew calls for creation of Department of OFWs


By RONALDO Z. CONCHA
OFW advocates renewed their call for the passage of House Bill 192 or the bill for the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOPW), one of President Rodrigo Duterte's promises during the campaign period.
Advocates made the call to push for the bill's passage with lawmakers before the end of the 17th Congress at the Mitra Building of the House of Representatives.
“Marami pong nakakarating sa amin na maraming tumututol at inuupuan lamang ang aming adhikain na magkaroon ng sarili naming departamento sa pamahalaan," said Dr. Cris Fernandez, FILIPINAS U chairperson.

Leaders of different groups of OFW advocates from the US, Middle East, and Asia met recently to discuss the proposed creation of a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers. Ronaldo Z. Concha

Engineer Madrigal Dimnang of the Union of Muslim Association in Riyadh said the continued suspension of the bill continues to cause suffering for OFWs waiting for the creation of the department, as promised by Duterte during the campaign.
HB 192 author Representative John Bertiz said he will do what he can to push for the passage of the bill.
“Hindi po kami tumitigil. Ang aksyon na inyong gagawin ay malaking bagay para gumulong na ang panukalang batas na ito na ipinangako ng ating Presidente Rodrigo Duterte para sa mga OFW," Bertiz said. —With Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News

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