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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8571
House Bill No.

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

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 fees 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 OFWs. 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.

PERITO M. PICO
Representatlye, DIWA Party-list

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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. bg)

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

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 "OF W 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 welfare."

SECTION 4. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. — When necessary,
the POEA may enlist the assistance of any law enforcement agency in order to
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.

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

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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