Monday, July 29, 2013

A department for OFWs?

By Belarmino Dabalos Saguing, Rome, Italy 29.07.2013 0925ICT

In the news : OWWA, POEA bubuwagin : Ni Gemma Garcia  (Pilipino Star Ngayon) http://www.philstar.com/bansa/2013/07/29/1024771/owwa-poea-bubuwagin | Updated July 29, 2013 - 12:00am  2  128 googleplus0  1 


The news said that a bill is being forwarded for consideration creating Department of Overseas Workers.



If true, it could be a welcome news for the long suffering OFWs if passed. But before we indulge ourselves with joy, it will be prudent to ask some questions.

1.       Since this will become part of the excecutive cabinet, what are the chances that it will not be handled by another trapo?
2.      Not forgetting the vast funds of the OWWA, what guarantee are there that it will not get the same fate of the Medicare and other services where the funds was lost after the transfer. How can we prevent it from falling into rthe hands of corrupt officials?
3.      Since this will be a department for overseas workers, will the be given more voice in the running of the department by appointment of some of  the leaders of the biggest OFW organizations with the widest membership around the world, to guarantee the active participation of the sector of migrant workers and their families?
4.      The OFWs are clamoring for the creation of industries that will generate stable jobs for the workers and genuine land reforms to improve the livelihood of the peasants and farm workers, as measures to arrest the outward migration of Filipinos, can this department help in realizing it?



Ass an OFW, I would like to see how this questions are answered thru inserting provisions in the bill to this effect.


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