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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3430

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR
IMMEDIATE DEPENDENTS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OF Ws),
BOTH SEA-BASED AND LAND-BASED, WHO DIED OR SUFFERED
PERMANENT DISABILITIES WHILE WORKING ABROAD OR OVERSEAS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have long been regarded as modern-day heroes.
They play a vital role in sustaining the country’s economy through their hard-eamed
remittances. Their commitment to working in foreign lands, often under challenging and
hazardous conditions, reflects their deep sacrifice for the welfare of their families and the
nation. Unfortunately, many OFWs encounter life-threatening situations abroad, resulting in

untimely deaths or permanent disabilities.

This proposed measure aims to establish an educational scholarship program for the
immediate dependents of OFWs who have lost their lives or become permanently disabled
while working overseas. By providing access to quality education, this measure secks to
‘empower the families of these OFWs, enabling the dependents to pursue opportunities for a
brighter and more secure future. Through this, we are also honoring the sacrifices of OFWs by

investing in the education and future of their children.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPI iG” D. REMULLA


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No3430

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR
IMMEDIATE DEPENDENTS OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs),
BOTH SEA-BASED AND LAND-BASED, WHO DIED OR SUFFERED
PERMANENT DISABILITIES WHILE WORKING ABROAD OR OVERSEAS, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “OFW Dependents

Scholarship Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — This Act is in furtherance of the State policies of the
Constitution, to wit:

a) Section 12, Article II, of the Constitution, states that the State recognizes the
sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution, It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the
life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of
parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral
character shall receive the support of the government;

b) Section 1, Article XV, of the Constitution, provides that the State recognizes the

Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its
solidarity and actively promote its total development;
Section 3, (2) of the same article states that the State shall defend the right of

children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition and special protection

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from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions
prejudicial to their development;

Section 2, (3) Article XIV of the Constitution provides that the State shall establish
and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and
other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and
private schools, especially to the underprivileged;

Article 149 of the Family Code refers to the family as a basic social institution
which public policy cherishes and protects; and

Section 18, Article II of the Labor Code states that the State affirms labor as a
primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote

their welfare.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a) Overseas Filipino Workers (OF Ws) shall refer to a person, whether documented or

undocumented, who is to be engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in a
renumerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a citizen, or on board a
vessel navigating the foreign seas other than a government ship used for military or
non-commercial purposes, or an installation located offshore or on the high seas; to
be used interchangeably with migrant worker;

Immediate dependent refers to the legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted,
unmarried, and not gainfully employed child of an Overseas Filipino Worker;
Total and permanent disability is if as a result of the injury or sickness, the person
is unable to perform any gainful occupation for a continuous period exceeding 120

days;

d) Documented Overseas Filipino Workers (OF W) or Migrant Workers refer to those:

i, Who possess valid passports and visas, or permits to stay in the host country
and whose contracts of employment have been processed by the Department
of Migrant Workers; or
Registered by the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipino Resource
Center or by the Embassy.

Those who do not fall under the preceding paragraph are considered

undocumented OFWs or Migrant Workers; and

©) Undocumented Filipinos refer to those:

i. Who acquired their passports through fraud or misrepresentation;

ii. Who possess expired visas or permits to stay;


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iii, Who have no travel documents whatsoever;

iv. Who have valid but inappropriate visas;

v. Who leave the country to work abroad without any documentation from the
POEA; and

vi. Who initially have papers from the POEA but whose validity expired.

SEC. 4, Coverage. — This Act shall cover immediate dependents of Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs), whether documented or undocumented, who died or suffered total and
permanent disabilities while working abroad. The said immediate dependents are interested
and qualified to pursue an educational course or training.

SEC. 5. Objective. - The paramount objective of this Act is to provide assistance to
immediate dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers who died or suffered a total and
permanent disability while working abroad or overseas by providing educational scholarship
programs as a form of recognition by the State of the OFW’s significant contribution to the
national economy.

SEC. 6. Annual Reporting. - The DMW shall submit to Congress an annual report

detailing the number of beneficiaries, allocated funds, disbursements, success rates, and any
implementation issues encountered.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8, Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the Department of
Migrant Workers is hereby tasked to implement this Act, and shall, in coordination with the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Education (DepEd), the
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA), and other concerned agencies, formulate the necessary
implementing rules and regulation to effectively implement the provisions of this Act within
ninety (90) days after its effectivity.

SEC. 9, Non-Impairment Clause. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to
diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or made available to disadvantaged,
marginalized, or specific sectors under existing laws.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts,
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.


SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its