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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. 1825

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines, without doubt, is one of the top sending countries when it comes
to migrant workers. Time and again, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have proven to
be at par with international standards in terms of employment skills, behavior and
attitude, According to the latest data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number
of OFWs who work abroad, at anytime during the period April to September 2016, is
estimated at 2.2 million.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is the government
agency given the mandate to promote and protect the welfare and interest of the OFWs,
in general, and its members in particular. OWWA is committed to the continual
improvement in its programs and services, systems and procedures as well as the
continuous build-up of the fund to ensure its viability for OFW needs.

However, the presence of OWWA offices especially in the provinces where OFWs
and OFW-families are found is wanting. In the Province of Bohol, OFWs rely on the
OWWA Regional Office stationed in Cebu City. Being a multiple island region, delivery
of services can, at times, be a challenge especially to OFWs in distress.

‘The establishment of an OWWA satellite office to be situated in the capital city of
‘Tagbilaran in Bohol would ensure the best promotion and protection of growing OFW-
members and OFW-families in the province; expedite communication and delivery of
services; decongest the loads in the OWWA regional office in Cebu and the central office
in Manila; and boost the President's program of improving government services in the
countryside.

Considered as modern-day heroes, our OFWs deserve the services that give value
to the sacrifices they make for their families and the country.

For the above considerations, the passage of this law is earnestly sought.

4

REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. _1825

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION
(OWWA) SATELLITE OFFICE IN THE CITY OF TAGBILARAN, PROVINCE
OF BOHOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

SECTION 1. Establishment. — There shall be a satellite office of the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in the City of Tagbilaran, Province of Bohol,
for the purpose of protecting the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and
their families.

SECTION 2. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall initially come from the savings of the OWWA. Thereafter,

such sum as may be necessary for the effective operation and maintenance of said office
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Administrator of OWWA shall formulate and issue
the necessary guidelines for the proper implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette.

Approved,