CITY OF SAN JOSE DELMONTE, Bulacan — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here are no longer needed to go several offices to complete their requirements, after more than 20 government agencies gathered under one roof Friday (Sept. 18) for the first-ever OWWA Serbisyo Caravan in Central Luzon.
Senator Joel Villanueva recounted the ordeal experienced by many OFWs, especially those coming outside Metro Manila who needed to shuttle from different buildings and locations just to get their respective documents cleared by relevant government agencies.
Despite efforts to simplify or streamline the otherwise cumbersome processes, significant reforms came in 2021 when the law creating the Department of Migrant Workers was enacted, the passage of it facilitated by Villanueva in the Senate.
“Noon, ang mga OFWs dito sa Pilipinas, pagdating sa Maynila, turo dito at doon para magpunta sa tanggapan ng gobyerno para makumpleto ang mga requirements nila,” said Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee, before hundreds of OFWs and their families taking part at the caravan at held at the San Jose del Monte Sports Complex.
“Ngayon, ang gobyerno na po mismo ang lumalapit sa ating mga mamamayan. Hindi na po mahihirapan ang ating mga OFWs para kumpletuhin ang kanilang mga requirements. Ito po ang isa sa mga programang isinulong natin sa Senado, at siyang ipinapatupad na ng ating mga katuwang sa OWWA,” he continued.
Villanueva graced the caravan where OFWs and their families register or renew OWWA membership, apply for welfare assistance and social benefits, and access livelihood, education, and reintegration programs, including Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay and Tulong PUSO, with agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Social Security System, and DMW on site.
Joining Villanueva at the caravan are OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, San Jose del Monte Mayor Rida Robes and Congressman Arthur Robes.
Caunan credited Villanueva for spearheading legislative reforms for the labor sector, particularly the charter of the DMW in the 18th Congress that paved the way for streamlined processes and policies for OFWs. (UnliNews Online)
