VILLAR BATS TO PROTECT OFWS AS PH OBSERVES MIGRANT WORKERS DAY

SENATOR- elect Cynthia Villar renewed her call to the Philippine government to always protect and promote the welfare of over 10 million Filipino migrant workers as the nation commemorates Migrant Workers Day.

“It is fitting to celebrate the day of our Overseas Filipino Workers to remember and acknowledge their significant contributions to nation-building,” said Villar.

She said OFWs are worthy of being called our ‘modern day heroes’ because of their immense assistance in saving our economy through their remittances.

“We draw a lifeline from their remittances being sent to the country. The dollar remittances provide a big boost to our economy,” said Villar.

“We should address all the concerns of our OFWs, starting from their recruitment until the time they are already working in a foreign country,” she added.

To ensure the that the rights and well-being of Filipino migrant workers are safeguarded, Villar vows to continue the fight for the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW)   when  the 16^th Congress resumes in July.

The former Las Pinas congresswoman said she will re-file the measure on DOFW initially filed by her husband, outgoing Senator Manny Villar, but was not passed in the previous Congress.

“This will be one way of recognizing the importance of our OFWs,” said Villar, also managing director of the Villar Foundation which has been helping distressed OFWs for over two decades.

She believes there is a need to   centralize all the services and functions of concerned government agencies or bureaus for OFWs to effectively attend to their concerns in all aspects.

“The creation of a department dedicated solely to OFWs would simplify and harmonize efforts to look after them when there is a crisis and secure their welfare and rights during normal times,” she said.

She said this would also put an end to finger-pointing among government agencies involved in the evacuation and repatriation of our distressed OFWs, especially those who ran away from their abusive employers, and those in conflict areas. (Ref: Nini Rubia-Enrique - Telefax: 727-4223)