The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the protection and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it commemorates the 30th anniversary of Republic Act (RA) 8042, also known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

In an interview during the kick-off ceremony of the celebration on Monday at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia cited the significance of the law as a cornerstone in safeguarding the rights and well-being of OFWs.

“Ikatatlumpung anibersaryo po ng pagsasabatas ng pinakamahalagang piece of legislation noong 1995, ito po yung (This is the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the most important piece of legislation in 1995, the) Republic Act 8042, Migrant Workers and Filipinos Overseas Act. This is a framework of our protection, for our OFWs,” he said.

“As the agency with the mandate of clear protection of our OFWs, ang pinaka-importante po dito, bawat buhay, bawat sakripisyo, bawat paghihirap ng OFW ay aming pong kinikilala at bilang kapalit, ibibigay po namin yung buong tibay, yung buong lahat po ng pagbibigay na programa para po sa ating mga (The most important thing here is that we recognize every life, every sacrifice, every hardship of our OFWs and in return, we will give our full strength, our entire service for our) OFWs,” he added.

Olalia highlighted how the law laid the foundation for the government’s structured and unified approach in responding to OFW concerns.

He said that before RA 8042, there was no single framework guiding the government in responding to problems faced by OFWs abroad.

Now, Olalia said there is a one-country team approach that ensures that the government is ready to rescue, repatriate, and reintegrate OFWs.

OWWA integrity

Amidst the controversy in the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Olalia assured the DMW is conducting a thorough internal investigation to determine accountability and whether proper procedures, such as Board approval, were followed.

“Lahat po ng mga dokumentong importante ay kinakalap po namin para malaman po natin kung sino-sino yung mga nagbigay ng utos, kung sino-sino ang may responsibilidad doon sa mga problema na kinasangkutan po ng pagbibili ng lupang ito, at inaalam po natin ang dahilan kung bakit hindi dumaan sa Board of Trustees ng OWWA at kung bakit hindi po nakakuha ng tinatawag na (We are gathering all the important documents so that we can know who gave the order, who is responsible for the problems involved in the purchase of this land, and we are finding out the reason why it did not go through the OWWA Board of Trustees and why it did not obtain the) Board Resolution,” he said.

He added President Marcos has directed the new OWWA administrator to uphold integrity within the agency, stressing that service to OFWs must continue even as officials undergo scrutiny following their courtesy resignations. (PNA)