HOUS" “F REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines 30 JUN 2016
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pate 90 JUN 2015

Quezon City, Metro Manila Thr:
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS BY,
First Regular Sessi
308 aa F \TION UNIT
House Bill No.__ il ® NDE X SERVICE

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay — Villar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the year 2015, remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) amounted to
$29.7 billion. These remittances have been one of the vital aspects in sustaining our
economy. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are now 2.4 million OFWs
all over the world whose remittances provide for their families at home and stimulate
domestic spending. For their sacrifices and contributions, they have been rightfully dubbed as
our modern day heroes.

Unfortunately, our so called modern day heroes have been unduly burdened by
various issues that work against their interests. One of these issues is the burden of having to
pay various feés as a pre-condition to travel.

This bill, a re-filing of House Bill No. 4004 filed by Rep. Roy V. Sefieres last 16"
Congress, gives the proper recognition to the sacrifices and contributions of our OF Ws. The
bill also reflect the mandate of Section 6, Article III, of the Philippine Constitution which
states that the right to travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security,
public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.

For these reasons, I earnestly seek the support of my fellow legislators for the
enactment of this bill into law.

Crate 8. Kallen
EMMELINE Y. AGLIPAY - VILLAR
Representative, DIWA Party-list

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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

744

House Bill No.

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Emmeline Y. Aglipay — Villar

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE COLLECTION OF ANY AMOUNT OF
MONEY IN ANY FORM OR FOR ANY PURPOSE FROM A DEPARTING
FILIPINO WORKER AS PRE-CONDITION FOR TRAVEL.

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "OFW Travel Protection
Act”.

SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be unlawful to impose, exact or
collect any sum of money in any form and for any purpose from a departing overseas Filipino
worker (OFW) as a pre-condition for travel except those authorized by law.

SECTION 3. Duty of the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration (POEA). It shall be the duty of the POEA to strictly observe and
implement the provisions of this act pursuant to its mandate to “afford protection to
Filipino workers and their families, promote their interests and safeguard their

SECTION 4. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. — When necessary,
the POEA may enlist the assistance of any law enforcement agency in order 10
effectively implement the provisions of this Act and carry out its mandate of
protecting and promoting the welfare of Filipino workers.

SECTION 5. The POEA to File Appropriate Action. - The POEA shall
initiate the filing of appropriate criminal complaints with the Department of Justice or
any law enforcement agency, against any individual, juridical entity, its officers and
personnel who violate the provisions of this Act. In case of judicial-entities, the
officers thereof are presumed to have consented to the violation.

SECTION 6. implementing Rules and Regulations. - The incumbent POEA
inistrator shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days from date of its effectivity.

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SECTION 7. Penal Clause. - Any violation of Sections 2, 3 and 4 of this Act
shall, after due process, cause the removal from office of the guilty party without
prejudice to the filing of any case, civil or criminal, against them by the POEA or the
offended party

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules and
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act,
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,

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