Senator Cynthia Villar on Thursday pushed for the creation of a separate government agency that would look after the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Villar, in filing Senate Bill No. 146 or the “Department of Migration and Development Act of 2016,” said it is only timely and appropriate to create a single agency under the Executive department whose exclusive function is to enforce programs and protect the welfare and rights of Filipinos overseas.
“We need an empowered agency that will adequately support and give assistance to them,” Villar said.
The senator said the bill specifically seeks to create a department that would recommend and implement the government’s policies, plans and programs for the promotion of protection, safety, development, support, of and for Filipinos overseas and their families left behind. (Hannah L. Torregoza)