TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
262
25
JIJL -8
P5 32
BKL.' ;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABUSHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 
FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY MIGRANT WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Hailed as modern-day heroes, migrant workers are the testament of sacrifice 
and tenacity, as they continue to navigate towards unfamiliar territory, arduous
working conditions, and long-term separation from the family.
While they are able to financially contribute to their families, migrant workers 
are often separated from their children during the most formative years of growth,
which threatens healthy development.1
A study reveals that children of migrant workers experienced a vast range of
poor physical and mental health outcomes due to separation from their parents.2 
Children who are left behind are also more vulnerable to risks that could affect their 
growth and general well-being. Emotional neglect and social isolation may be 
experienced by them. These may increase their vulnerabilities to mentai heaith 
problems, as well as to abuse and exploitation.3 Ruptures in the family that started in 
early childhood may result in long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional outcomes.4
1 Dominguez, G. B„ & Hall, B. J. (2022). The health status and related interventions 
dU610 P3""13'
migration in the Philippines: A scoping review. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pac.f.c, 28, 
https://doi.Org/l 0.1016/j .lanwpc.2022.100566
3 ARCrETcTOHNovember 7). Children Affected by Migration https://arcsea/org/children-affected-by^migration/
. 0,... rltion M.„i„i.8R.portTe™Mi8™.i«».Displ.rrrE^a,,on
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris2018
t^ps7/iinesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/ofD000265866 as cited in Dominguez, supra notel


Migrant workers aim to fulfill the basic needs of the family, especially those 
related to food and financial security. However, the psychological needs of 
belongingness and intimacy are inadequate because of physical separation.5
To address such, this bill seeks to establish Migrant Workers Family Centers 
nationwide to provide welfare assistance and counselling services for the families of 
migrant workers; to serve as coordinating offices to non-government organizations 
(NGOs) and associations that cater to the plight of migrant workers; and to serve as 
links of left behind households to various services and/or agencies of the government 
on overseas employment. These family centers will help the left behind family 
members to sustain harmony in their relationships and to prepare them for future 
reintegration with the migrant worker.
In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR
5 Parrenas RS. Children of Global Migration: Transnational Families and Gendered Woes Stanford. 
Stanford University Press, 2005 as mentioned in Dominguez, supra note 1


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25
-8 P5 32
SENATE
S. No. 262
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR 
FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY MIGRANT WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Left Behind Household
2 
of Migrant Workers Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
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strengthen the solidarity of the family and actively promote its total development. The
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state recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.
6 
Towards this end, the State shall take such actions as are necessary to the
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maximum extent practicable, to sustain harmony of the family and prepare families
8 
for future reintegration of Migrant Workers.
9 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:
10 
a) Center means the Migrant Workers Family Center;
11 
b) Left-Behind Household means families left behind by migrant workers to
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work abroad; and
13 
c) Migrant Workers means any Filipino citizen who works in any country
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outside the Philippines.
15 
Sec. 4. Migrant Workers Family Centers. -
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a) Centers. - The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shall establish
17 
Migrant Workers Family Centers nationwide. The purpose of the Centers are
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the following:


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i) To provide welfare assistance and counselling services to the families 
of migrant workers;
ii) To serve as coordinating office to non-government organizations and 
associations that cater to the plight of migrant workers; and
iii) To serve as a link of left-behind households to various services and/or 
agencies of the government on overseas employment.
b) Location of Centers. - Each center shall be strategically located in every city 
or municipality where there is a large population of families who have 
relatives working abroad.
c) Jurisdiction. - The responsibilities of each center shall be centered on the 
welfare of left-behind families of migrant workers.
Sec. 5. Left-Behind Household Organizations. - DMW shall facilitate the 
establishment of organizations or support groups of families left behind by migrant 
workers. It shall also provide a venue for the interaction of members of families of 
migrant workers.
Sec. 6. Report to Congress. - Three years from the passage of the provisions 
of this Act, the DMW shall report to Congress the number of cases brought to the 
various centers and the intervention provided.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations 
of the DMW.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or the provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. —This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette ox in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,