TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
o( tljf 3»n\ttnvj>
25 AUG 20 P5M
RECEIVED BY;
SENATE
S. No. 1 2 .S
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
PROVIDING FREE INSURANCE FOR COVERED APPLICANTS OF OVERSEAS 
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) play a significant role in boosting our 
economy and increasing our financial resources. Inflo\A/s from the OFWs have become 
a crucial driver of our economic growth. In December 2022, the total remittances from 
OFWs reached a new monthly record of USD 3.49 billion, resulting in an annual total 
of USD 36.14 billion, up by 3.6% and the highest figure recorded.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that about 1.83 million Filipinos 
were employed overseas from April to September 2021. It must be noted that this 
figure does not include undocumented workers. The presence of undocumented OFWs 
has resulted to numerous abuses and instances of being taken advantage of, as their 
lack of government recognition exposes them to exploitation and vulnerability.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA) issues an Overseas 
Employment Certificate (OEC) to Filipino workers leaving the country for employment 
abroad. The OEC acts as a travel exit pass for OFWs at airports, exempting them from 
payment of travel tax and airport terminal fees, and assuring government protection 
for the OFWs.


However, many OFWs perceive the acquisition of the same as a burdensome 
step that serves only to impede their efforts in pursuing overseas employment.
To promote the application for an OEC among Filipinos, an effective approach 
would be to educate them about the advantages and protections they can get and 
enjoy by possessing the appropriate documentation.
Thus, this bill aims to enhance compliance among OFWs by providing free 
insurance coverage to eligible individuals who apply for an OEC. This bill offers 
incentives for undocumented Filipino workers to obtain the necessary documentation, 
enabling them to access the benefits and protections guaranteed by the State. This 
bill will be mutually beneficial for both OFWs and the government.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator 
^


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
1235
25 AUG 20 P5:06
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
2 
PROVIDING FREE INSURANCE FOR COVERED APPLICANTS OF OVERSEAS
3 
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
4 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
5 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Protektadong OFW
6 
Act."
7 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall afford full protection to
8 
labor, local and overseas, organized, and unorganized. The State shall also recognize
9 
the rights and contributions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
10 
Towards these ends, the State shall provide adequate and timely social, legal,
11 
and economic services to OFWs. Pursuant thereto, the State shall ensure that all
12 
overseas Filipino workers are properly monitored and accounted for with due regard
13 
for their protection and welfare, and that overseas Filipino workers are incentivized to
14 
make themselves known to Philippine authorities abroad.
15 
SECTION 3. Coverage. - The benefits under this Act shall apply to applicants
16 
of overseas employment certificates (OECs); Provided, That the applicant-migrant
17 
worker is abroad; Provided further. That he/she has no prior record with the Philippine
18 
Overseas Employment Authority (POEA), or if he/she has a prior record, is working in


1 
a vulnerable sector, as may be determined by the POEA, in consultation with relevant
2 
government agencies and other stakeholders.
3 
SECTION 4. Benefits. - Covered migrant workers shall, upon securing an
4 
overseas employment certificate from the POEA or the Philippine Embassy or consular
5 
offices abroad shall be given a free one-year insurance with the same or similar
6 
coverage as required under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, otherwise known as
7 
the "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act."
8 
SECTION 5. Funding. - The payment for the premium of the insurance
9 
provided under this Act shall be funded partly by the budget of the Department of
10 
Foreign Affairs (DFA) earmarked for the Assistance to Nationals and partly by the
11 
appropriations in the General Appropriations Act as included in the budget of the
12 
POEA. For the first year of the implementation of this Act, an initial amount of Thirty
13 
Million Pesos (P30,000.000.00) is hereby appropriated. Thereafter, such amount
14 
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General
15 
Appropriations Act.
16 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Labor
17 
and Employment (DOLE), DFA, POEA, OWWA, Insurance Commission and other
18 
relevant stakeholders shall issue the implementing rule and regulations of this Act
19 
within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.
20 
To ensure the proper implementation of this Act, DOLE, POEA and DFA shall
21 
establish a system that shall facilitate the processing and issuance of OECs abroad.
22 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
23 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provision hereof which are not affected
24 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
25 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
26 
decrees, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with any
27 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.


1 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
3 
circulation.
4 
Approved,