Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2527

House Bill No. “~~

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARISSA “DEL MAR” P. MAGSINO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE INSURANCES FOR COVERED APPLICANTS OF
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We have over two (2) million modern day heroes whose tears water the fertile
grounds of their dreams and whose sacrifices nurture our economy. Overseas Filipino
Workers make up a sector in society who serve as big contributors in boosting our
economy and in lining our coffers.

However, not all of them are documented. According to the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA), of the aforementioned number, around one (1) million
are unaccounted for. When they leave undocumented, the government could not monitor
them.

What better way to encourage Filipinos to register with OWWA than to incentivize
all those who respect the rules and follow the procedures. We must let them know the
importance of having themselves documented, not only for government monitoring, but
due to the benefits they will or will not receive depending on whether they correctly follow
the procedures.

The first step to solving a problem is to admit that there is a problem. Truly, the
issue of undocumented OFWs have resulted in various abuses because the fact that they
are unaccounted for by the government exposes them to threats of being taken advantage
of. Many of them fall prey to abusive employers ~ some more unfortunate ones pay the


ultimate price of death at the hands of employers who utilize their lack of proper

documentation in perpetrating violence against them.

This proposed measure now seeks to ensure that many more OFWs will comply
with the rules and follow the procedures by giving free insurance coverage to covered
OFWs that apply for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). A salient feature of the
bill is the grant of free one (1) year insurance with the same or similar coverage under
Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, otherwise known as the “Migrant Workers and
Overseas Filipinos Act”. By incentivizing the application for OEC, OFWs would now think
twice before refusing to go through the correct procedure in securing their employment
overseas. It would be a win-win situation for OFWs and the government alike — both
gaining from a simple legislation

Foregoing disquisitions considered, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly

sought.
"Be aa

ISSA “DEL MAR” P. \GSIN'



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2527

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARISSA “DEL MAR” P. MAGSINO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE INSURANCES FOR COVERED APPLICANTS OF
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policies.— The State shall afford full protection to labor,
local and overseas, organized, and unorganized. Towards this end, the State shall provide
adequate and timely social, legal, and economic services to overseas Filipinos workers.
Pursuant to this, the State shall ensure that all overseas Filipino workers are properly
monitored and accounted for with due regard for their protection and welfare, and that
overseas Filipino workers are incentivized to make themselves known to Philippine
authorities abroad.

Sec. 2. Coverage.— The benefits under this Act shall apply to applicants of overseas
employment certificates (OECs); Provided, That the applicant-migrant worker is abroad;
Provided further, That he/she has no prior record with the Philippine Overseas
Employment Authority (POEA), or if he/she has a prior record, is working in a vulnerable
sector, as may be determined by the POEA, in consultation with relevant government

agencies and other stakeholders.

Sec. 3. Benefits. Covered migrant workers shall, upon securing an overseas
employment certificate from the POEA or the Philippine Embassy or consular offices
abroad shall be given a free one-year insurance with the same or similar coverage as


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required under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, otherwise known as the “Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act.”

SEC. 4. Funding. - The payment for the premium of the insurance provided under
this Act shall be funded partly by the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
earmarked for the Assistance to Nationals and partly by the appropriations in the General
Appropriations Act as included in the budget of the POEA. For the first year of the
implementation of this Act, an initial amount of Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000.000.00)
is hereby appropriated. Thereafter, such amount necessary for its continued

implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), DFA, POEA, OWWA, Insurance Commission and other relevant
stakeholders shall issue the implementing rule and regulations of this Act within sixty
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

To ensure the proper implementation of this Act, DOLE, POEA and DFA shall
establish a system that shall facilitate the processing and issuance of OECs abroad.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provision hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules
and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with any provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,