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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1698

Introduced by Representatives
HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR. and MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING

AN ACT
PROVIDING A LUMP SUM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO
OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS IN DISTRESS,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the recent statistical data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), it is
estimated that there are 1.77 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) for the year 2020.!
However, itis to be noted that the number of OFWs being deployed in 2020 plummeted due to
the pandemic. In 2021, with the gradual reopening of economies, the deployment rate showed
improvement with 35% increase or about 745,000 Filipino workers deployed overseas
Notwithstanding the widespread loss of jobs and livelihood during the pandemic, our OFWs
still managed to contribute to the economic recovery of the country, with a record-breaking
remittance of $34 billion last year. This accounts for 8.9% of the country's gross domestic
product (GDP). It is expected that this growth will continue to accelerate and further propel
local consumer spending. The inflow of remittances from OFWs, brought forth by a myriad of
sacrifices in working in foreign lands, is one of the many reasons why they are hailed as
modern-day heroes. Sy

But beyond this social recognition are the tragic stories of our kababayans who hive
been victims of abuse, exploitation, and other forms of inhumane acts, perpetuated by their
employers, co-workers and others. These cases have been a persistent social and cultural
concern since the 1970s, and the numbers continue to rise. These injustices were only further
magnified during this pandemic. According to Blas Ople Policy Center, a| non-profit
organization which champions migrant workers’ rights and welfare, there has been an influx
of reports of human rights abuses among OFWs since the pandemic broke,’ Gabriela
Philippines also noted that in 2020, there were 5,000 documented cases of women migrant
workers experiencing abuse abroad, and it is likely that these figures are underreported since
victims may not feel confident that the government could do anything for them given the public

+ 2020 Overseas Filipino Workers (Final Results). Retrieved from: hiis:/nsa.20v nh/content2020-overseas-filipino-worker-final-tesults
2" Total umber of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) deployed from 2019 to 2021. Retrieved from:
www. 4 1

‘bups/ww, statist com/statstics/124368 /philippines-deploved-overseas-workers/
* OFW remitances hi econ breaking Si in 2021- BSP. Retired os: hv anaes ns 202202/ ante
‘Repo of othe ih abuses. act OFWs ssa i id pane,



health crisis.5 These painful experiences are further exacerbated by inadequate and oftentimes
tedious application for government assistance.

‘Asa result, returning or repatriated OFWs do not only suffer physical pain, mental and
emotional stress but also mounting debts, as well as medical and legal expenses. Without
adequate and immediate respite from the government, these modern-day heroes become OF Ws
in distress. A title not befitting these brave Filipinos, who, despite the inherent risks and
vulnerabilities of being a migrant worker, still choose to put their lives in harm’s way in
exchange for a better future for their families.

As such, this bill seeks to provide a lump sum financial assistance of PhP 50,000 to
each OFW in distress upon application. It also aims to streamline the release of the said amount
by imposing a period by which the application shall be acted upon, and prescribing
administrative penalties for non-compliance.

While no amount of money can ever recompense the physical and psychological
damage these unfortunate events may have caused to our OF Ws, an immediate and substantial
amount will somehow ease their financial woes and provide reassurance that the government
cares for them especially during their most difficult times.

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

HORACI UANSING, JR.
2"! Di of Sultan Kudarat

+21 years sine Flr Contemplacon, OFWs til isk of sme and maletmentReticwd fm
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"HIB No. 1036 th sbstt bl as ben approved y the Hous andar on ansed the Senate on 24 Janay 2022 rng the 18°
Congress.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

|ETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.1698

Introduced by Representatives
HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR. and MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING

AN ACT
PROVIDING A LUMP SUM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS IN DISTRESS,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Cash Assistance for Repatriated
OFWs (CARE) Act of 2022”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to afford full
protection to labor, particularly to migrant workers who are compelled to seek employment
abroad in order to provide for their families at home. It shall ensure that that the dignity and
fundamental human rights and freedoms of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), shall not, at
any time, be compromised or violated. Towards this end, the State shall provide a lump sum
financial assistance to OFWs in distress, to help them recover from the hardships they have
endured in foreign land, and eventually assist them in finding new and better employment and
livelihood opportunities in the country.

SECTION 3. Coverage. — The lump sum financial assistance shall cover both documented and
undocumented OF Ws in distress.

For purposes of this Act, OFWs in distress shall refer to all Filipino nationals, whether
documented or not, who lost their jobs and were forced by circumstances to return to the
country. The term shall include, but is not limited to those who have been victims of human
trafficking and/or illegal recruitment; those who have been sexually abused; those who have
been maltreated or undergone slave-like conditions or involuntary servitude; those who have
run away from their employers; those who have been repatriated from host countries hit by
natural and man-made calamities, including civil disorders; those who have sought refuge at
Welfare Centers; and those who have been found stranded anywhere in host countries where
they intended to seek employment.

SECTION 4. Financial Assistance to OFWs in Distress. - A Lump Sum Financial Assistance
for OFWs in Distress shall be provided in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP
50,000.00), which shall be released to each OFW in distress, upon submission of documentary
requirements within such period as determined by the implementing agency. Provided, that


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such period shall not be more than fourteen (14) days from the date of application, Provided,
further, that the minimum requirement for the filing of application shall be the OF W’s passport
or any travel document, as proof of his/her country of origin and date of arrival.

‘The amount of assistance shall be reviewed and, when necessary, adjusted or increased
by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) every three (3) years after the
effectivity of this Act, in consultation with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and other relevant stakeholders, taking into
account the national inflation rate, and other relevant economic indicators, as reported and
published by the pertinent government agencies or authorities: provided, that the financial
assistance shall not be less than the amount initially specified in this Act.

SECTION 5. Implementing Agencies, and Rules and Regulations. - The OWWA is hereby
tasked to implement this Act, and shall coordinate with, and be supported by the DMW,
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The abovementioned agencies, in consultation with the DBM and representatives from the
private sector, and recognized overseas labor organizations, shall issue the rules and regulations
necessary to implement the provisions of this Act, within ninety (90) days after its effectivity.

SECTION 6. Penalties. — Any employee of the government found to have caused the delay in
the release of the Financial Assistance to OFWs in distress, within the prescribed period as
provided under Section 4 of this Act, shall be subject to the following penalties:
‘a. If the employee who caused the delay is a supervisor or head or any person in
equivalent capacity, he/she shall be proceeded against in accordance with Section
11 (a) of the Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and Employees; and
b. Inall other cases, the penalties shall be:
First Offense — 90 day-suspension
Second Offense — 120 day-suspension
Third Offense — Dismissal from service.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The funds needed to initially implement the provisions of this
‘Act shall be sourced from the budget of OWWA and DMW. Thereafter, it shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). The annual appropriation shall be sourced from
the earnings of the Bureau of Immigration, Duty Free Philippines, passport processing fees of
the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO),
Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and other relevant offices or agencies as may be
recommended and identified in the implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, presidential
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,