OFW department IRR in the works, says labor exec

By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS, GMA News Published January 5, 2022 7:03pm Philippine labor agencies are now gearing to establish the implementing rules and regulations of the newly signed Department of Migrant Workers, which is set to be implemented upon the approval of the 2023 General Appropriations Act. According to Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia, the agency is set to have a meeting on Thursday, January 6, to discuss the transition into the new department. Officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), where most of the agencies of the new department will be coming from, are also set to meet and establish its own transition committee. “Ang ito pong batas na ito ay inaasahan natin na ma-i-implement ayon sa probisyon niya, pagkatapos ma-approve ‘yung kaniyang 2023 budget doon sa General Appropriations Act,” he said in a virtual briefing on Wednesday afternoon. [We expect this law to be implemented after the approval of the 2023 General Appropriations Act.] President Rodrigo Duterte last week signed Republic Act 11641, which mandates the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers. Olalia said there will be a two-year transition period for a body to set the department’s organization structure and staffing patterns, budget and resources for its offices. It is set to be headed by one secretary, to be assisted by four undersecretaries and six assistant secretaries. “Unang una, meron nang matatawag na sariling bahay ang ating minamahal na [First of all, we will establish a department that will cater solely to our beloved] OFWs, to be headed by no less than a department secretary,” Olalia said. At present, the Labor Secretary takes control of affairs for labor concerns of Filipino workers both local and foreign. This will be the major change moving forward. The new department is tasked to formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, and implement policies, and undertake systems for regulating, managing, and monitoring the overseas employment of Filipino workers and reintegration of OFWs and other overseas Filipinos, while taking into consideration the national development programs formulated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).—LDF, GMA News

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