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

‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _3679

Introduced by sa
OFW Family Party-List Representative ROY V. SENERES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill is in furtherance of relevant provisions of the 1987
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, to wit:

1. Section 10, Article II, states: "The State shall promote social
justice in all phases of national development.”

2. Section 18, Article II, states: “The State affirms labor as a
primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of
workers and promote their welfare.”

3. Section 3, (first paragraph), Article XIII, which states: “The
State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas,
organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and
equality of employment opportunities for all.”

It is a known fact that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) daringly
venture outside our shores to countries many of us do not have the
courage to go into. They took great risks and hazards of exposing
themselves to unfamiliar surroundings, different cultures, customs,
traditions, and idiosyncracies of peoples of the host countries, simply
because they wanted to provide their families, dependents and loved ones
financial sustenance for their daily needs.

Every year, our OFWs are increasing in number as we do not have
enough jobs available for them to stay with higher pay. In the process,
the foreign exchange remittances of our OFWs to their families and
dependents have increased tremendously. The continuous influx of foreign
exchange remittances of our OFWs to their families and dependents have
further strengthened the Philippine economy and sustained our economic
growth and economic development.


For this reason, it is only appropriate that the State should be
considered as the surrogate employer of the more than ten (10) million
OFWs who are considered to be the economic soldiers of the country. As
surrogate employer, it shall be State's duty and obligation to contribute
and share in the payment of SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth premium
payments or contributions of OFWs.

The passage of this social legislation is a tribute and in recognition
of the valuable contribution of the OFWs, the sfodeln-day heroes of our
time.

In view of the foregoing, the infmediate fassage of this bill is

earnestly sought.


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3679

HOUSE BILL NO. _

Introduced by

OFW Family Party-List Representative ROY V. SENERES

AN ACT
GRANTING SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO
WORKERS (OFWs) IN THE PAYMENT OF SSS, PAG-IBIG AND
PHILHEALTH PREMIUMS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1, Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs) Premium Benefits Act of 2014."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of
the State to protect the interest, promote, and enhance the well-being of
OFWs by granting them special privileges in the payment of SSS, Pag-Ibig
and Philhealth premiums.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following
terms shall be defined to mean as:

(a) “Overseas Filipino Worker” shall refer to a person who is to

be engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in a
remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a
legal resident. A person “to be engaged in a remunerated
activity” refers to an applicant worker who has been
promised or assured employment overseas and acting on
such promise or assurance sustains damage and/or injury.
The term “Overseas Filipino Worker” shall be used
interchangeable with "Migrant worker"

(b) “Overseas Filipinos" shall refer to migrant workers, other

Filipino nationals and their dependents abroad.


SEC. 4. Special Privilege in the Payment of SSS, Pag-Ibig and
Philhealth Premiums. - As the surrogate employer of the more than ten
(10) million OFWs, the government is obliged to contribute and pay Fifty
percent (50%) of the SSS, Pag-Ibig and Philhealth premium payments or
contributions of the covered OFW and the latter shall be entitled to all the
benefits in accordance with the pertinent provisions provided under
existing laws.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary
of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby tasked to
implement this Act and shall, in coordination with the Social Security
System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig), and Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), formulate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions
of this Act.

SEC.6, Appropriations. ~The amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act
is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions
not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,