OFW close to Go’s heart


By
 Alvin Murcia
 -
60
Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.
Migrant workers are close to the heart of former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
That is why the ex-Cabinet official said he will prioritize the establishment of a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DoFW) should he win in this year’s senatorial race.
In a media interview in Manila, Go said President Rodrigo Duterte wants him to solve the problems that affect the OFW if he becomes a senator.
“The department is like a one-stop shop for renewing passports, getting birth certificates, complaints about breach of contracts, repatriations and even remittance issues,” Go said.
Migrant workers, he pointed out, waste so much time renewing their passports and obtaining other documents because they still have to go to different agencies instead of having bonding time with their families.
Aside from these, the DoFW will also focus on solving other OFW problems like remittance, medical, dental benefits and retirement pay.

That is why the ex-Cabinet official said he will prioritize the establishment of a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DoFW) should he win in this year’s senatorial race.
In a media interview in Manila, Go said President Rodrigo Duterte wants him to solve the problems that affect the OFW if he becomes a senator.
“The department is like a one-stop shop for renewing passports, getting birth certificates, complaints about breach of contracts, repatriations and even remittance issues,” Go said.
Migrant workers, he pointed out, waste so much time renewing their passports and obtaining other documents because they still have to go to different agencies instead of having bonding time with their families.
Go added the idea of establishing a DoFW came from the President, but he mentioned it again to him after the ACT-CIS partylist endorsed to him the problem of a son whose mother died due to illness while working in Saudi Arabia October last year.
Until now, the body of the said OFW still awaits repatriation.
“These are the kinds of problem that the DoFW hopes to solve since our countrymen don’t know where to run to. Is it the DFA, OWWA or POEA?” Go asked.
Aside from these, the DoFW will also focus on solving other OFW problems like remittance, medical, dental benefits and retirement pay.
“This way, the OFW will no longer need to go to Malacañang and ask help from the President through the Presidential Action Center,” Go said.
Over the weekend, the former SAP attended several events, including one in Aklan, where he met with Capiz-based leaders from various organizations and political parties which he said expressed solidarity to welcome him despite coming from diverse political backgrounds.

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