Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5696 <<

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Kimi S. Cojuangco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, there are 807
Filipinos jailed in various countries due to drug smuggling as of July
2014. International drug smuggling has continued to plague our
country for years. Syndicates prey on our OFWs and those desperate
to make a living to support their family. It is our duty to protect our
citizens from these situations.

This proposed measure seeks to improve the standard module of the
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) that is required by the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs). The PDOS was implemented by the OWWA
as a means to educate and ready OFWs for their employment abroad.
The seminar educates them on their rights as migrant workers,
councils them on how to deal with the first few months away from
home, provides guideline on health and safety, gives. a general
orientation of the country they were going to, and provides information
on government programs and support services available to them.

This bill aims to include topics that tackle drug syndicates, their
modes of operation in targeting OFWs, general reminders and safety
guidelines to avoid being victimized. To that end, different agencies
will be consulted to provide the most updated and relevant
information to ensure a comprehensive discussion is achieved.

The goal of this measure is to prevent our OFWs from being victimized
by educating them on how these syndicates operate. If they are
properly educated on the issue, they can take the necessary measures
to safeguard themselves during their travels. As long as these
syndicates are around, our citizens are in constant danger of being
targeted. The PDOS is one way we can prepare and protect our OFWs.


As representatives of our people, we must do all we can to prevent
them from falling victim to drug smuggling. We cannot allow any more
of our countrymen to be imprisoned and executed as innocent victims.
For the safety of our OFWs, the passage of this measure is sought.

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ON. (MIS. JUANGCO


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5696

Introduced by Honorable Kimi 8S. Cojuangco

AN ACT
INTEGRATING IN THE STANDARD MODULE FOR PRE-
DEPARTURE ORIENTATION SEMINAR GIVEN TO OVERSEAS
FILIPINO WORKERS THE TOPIC CONCERNING THE MODUS
OPERANDI OF ILLEGAL DRUG SYNDICATES AS A STEP TO
INSULATE FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS AGAINST THEIR
NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES

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

SECTION 1. There shall be integrated in the standard module
for Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) given to Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
and OWWA-Accredited PDOS Providers a topic concerning the modus
operandi of illegal drug syndicates as a measure to protect Filipino migrant
workers against the criminal activities of these criminal groups.

Such topic shall cover an extensive discussion about the mode of
operations, methods and systems being employed by drug syndicates to lure
unwitting migrant workers to become drug mules; practical tips on how to
safeguard oneself from being victimized and what to do when under
suspicion of being compromised; updates regarding cases of Filipinos
involved in drug smuggling abroad; the existing laws of the country of
destination governing illegal drugs and the penalties imposed therefor; and,
such other related matters as would elicit a comprehensive orientation on
illicit drug trafficking.

SEC.2. The OWWA or its partner for the training of OWWA-
PDOS Trainers shall include in its training program such instruction as
would prepare and enable PDOS trainers to be competent speakers ot
lecturers of the said topic.

The OWWA may coordinate and consult with other appropriate
agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug


Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation in order to
secure the necessary knowledge, inputs, data, materials and information
relative to the operations of illegal drug syndicates and drug smuggling.

SEC. 3. The orientation of OFWs about the subject shall be
conducted up to such a duration as would provide the PDOS Trainer
sufficient or reasonable time to competently and exhaustively lecture on the
subject, and an in-depth discussion thereof to achieve the desired service
outcome.

SEC. 4. The OWWA shall continue to formulate and undertake a
parallel program for undocumented or irregular migrant workers. It shall
also endeavor to find the appropriate mechanism to protect them from drug
syndicates and other criminal organizations preying on this class of migrant
workers,

SEC.5. All laws, decrees, board resolutions, administrative
orders, memoranda of instructions, special orders, and other issuances, or
part/s thereof, contrary to or are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. If any provision or part hereof is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the provisions not affected
thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC.7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,