Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

507

H.BINo.

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The assistance that we can give to these modern day heroes as we call the Overseas
Filipino Workers, and their families are only but signs of the gratitude that we can extend to
them in return for their sacrifice for their country and ultimately, their families especially in their
time of need

There is a saying that whenever you are down, there is no way to go but up. We may
never be able to assure these modern day heroes that when they are down, we can bring them
up, but one thing is for sure — we can allow them to build themselves up again by giving them
assistance in their time of need so that ultimately, they can once again have their day in the sun.

During the last two years, nothing but bad news plagued our broadsheets as news of a
possible global recession, if not depression hit the streets, with the collapse of major financial
institutions the world over. It is a tact that our Overseas Filipino Workers were hit in the crisis,
and it is our duty to cushion them and their families, if and when they fall, For this reason, the

passage of this legislation is earnestly sought
JUAN EARS “OWN,
Representativ

Lone District, Province of Aurora



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. )
First Regular Session )

: —
HB.N 50?

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF ASSISTANCE AND INCENTIVES TO FAMILIES
OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO IN TIMES OF NEED AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "Assistance to OFW Family Act of
2010."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. It is the policy of the State to protect the families of

OFWs whenever, for any of the reasons stated herein below, assistance may be required by
them.

SEC. 3. Instances when assistance may be given. The following instances, which are

not exclusive in character, shall be the instances when assistance may be given to families of
OFWs or to the OFW:

a) Whenever the OFW has deprived the legitimate family or the common-law wife of
any form of financial assistance for any reason;

b) Whenever the OFW has left the legitimate family or the common-law wife without
any form of financial assistance for any reason;

©) Whenever the OFW has deprived the legitimate children of any form of financial
assistance for any reason;

d) In the absence of any of the following, the illegitimate children shall be entitled to
avail of the assistance granted by the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. Qualifications for assistance to be given. The following qualifications shall be
imposed upon the applicants for assistance granted by this Act:

a) Families - for the legitimate family or the common-law wife of the OFW, there shall be
required the following:

Status as legitimate family or common-law wife without any impediment to
marry,


ii, The total household income shall not exceed sixty thousand pesos
(P60,000.00) per annum subject to verification from the Bureau of Internal

Revenue of such fact and the appropriate clearances from the employer;

b) Children - for the legitimate or illegitimate child, the assistance shall be limited to the
following qualified individuals:

i. The child shall not exceed the age of majority provided for by law;
ii, No sufficient means of income to support himself.

SEC. 5. Form of assistance. The assistance shall be in the following form:

4) livelihood opportunities for the families;
2) scholarship grants to the children;
3) such other forms of assistance as may be provided for by law

Provided, that the number of children entitled to tine assistance herein shall not exceed
four (4)

SEC. 6. Livelihood assistance. The livelihood assistance as defined herein shall mean
such assistance as may be sufficient to support the basic needs of the family herein, such
assistance to be extended primarily to the family in most need of support. The livelihood
assistance shall be provided for by the Department of Trade and Industry through the creation
of a new division, the OFW Livelihood Assistance Division. Provided, that the implementing
rules and regulations of this act shall be formulated by the Department of Trade and Industry.

SEC. 7. Scholarship grants. The scholarship grants shall be extended to children
qualified according, to the provisions of this Act. Provided, that the scholarship grant shall
extend to the tertiary level of education but not to post-graduate studies. Provided further, that
the Department of Education shall be responsible for the grant of such benefits accordingly,
Provided, finally, that even upon reaching the age of majority, the child previously entitled to the
benefits of this Act shall be extended assistance until the completion of the education, subject to
the Implementing Rules and Regulations to be formulated by the Department of Education.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. The sum of fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) necessary for
the initial operating expenses of the assistance is hereby charged to the appropriations
authorized for the OFW Assistance Fund. Thereafter, the sum necessary for the continued
operation and maintenance shall be included in the annual budget of the Office of the President.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act or any part hereof be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
remain in force and effect.


SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or
part thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,