EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 
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•19 
AUG 28 
A 9 :1 5
RECE. »:DS-
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO 
FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:
"The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the 
nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively 
promote its total development."
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are known as the nation's modern day heroes. 
They work abroad in order to provide a better life for the families at home. 
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), an estimated 2.3 million 
OFWs worked abroad during the period of April to September 2018.
In spite of profitable employment overseas, there are costs in terms of family 
relations for OFWs. Social problems arise within their families due to long 
separations between spouses and children.
The proposed bill seeks to protect and strengthen the Filipino family by 
establishing OFW Family Centers that shall provide welfare assistance and 
counseling to the families of OFWS. It also seeks to direct the OWWA to develop


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a comprehensive reunification, reintegration and replacement plan for returning 
OFWS.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
MARIA LOURDES NANCY S. BINAY 
Senator


Senate
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
ol tl)r femftaip
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
•19 
AUG 28 
A9-.15
SENATE _
S.B. NO. 975
RECEi
Introduced by Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO 
FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
Section 1. Short Tide. -  This Act shall be known as the "Left-Behind 
Household of OFWs Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f State Policy. -  It is declared policy of the State to 
strengthen the solidarity of the family and actively promote its total 
development. The State recognizes the Filipino Family as the foundation of the 
nation.
Towards this end, the Administrator shall take such actions as are 
necessary to the maximum extent practicable, to sustain harmony of the family
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and prepare families for future reintegration of OFWs.
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Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the term:
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(A)"Administration" means the Overseas Workers and 
Welfare
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Administration or "OWWA";
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(B)"Administrator" means the Administrator of OWWA;
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(C)"Center" means the Overseas Filipino Workers Family Center;


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(D) "Left-Behind Household" means families left behind by Overseas 
Filipino Workers to work abroad; and
(E) "Overseas Filipino Worker" or "OFW" means any Filipino citizen who 
is temporarily working in any country outside the Philippines.
Sec, 4. OFW Family Centers. -
(A) Centers. -  The Administrator shall establish OFW Family Centers 
nationwide, using the facilities of its regional offices, or any of the 
regional 
offices 
of 
the 
Philippine 
Overseas 
Employment 
Administration 
and 
the 
Department of Social 
and 
Welfare 
Development. The purpose of each Center are -
(1 ) To provide welfare assistance and counseling serves to the 
families of OFWs;
(2) To 
serve 
as 
coordinating 
office 
to 
non-government 
organizations and associations that cater to the plight of 
OFWs; and
(3) To serve as a link of left-behind households to various 
services and/or agencies of the government on overseas 
employment.
{'S) Location o f Centers. -  Each Center shall be strategically located in 
every municipality where there is a large population of families who 
have relative working abroad.
{C) Jurisdiction. -  The responsibilities of each Center shall be centered 
on the welfare of left-behind families of OFWs.
Sec. 5. Left-Behind Household Organizations. -  OWWA 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.


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Sec. 6. Report to Congress. -  Three years from the passage of the 
provisions of this Act, the 0\Ny\IA shall report to Congress the number of cases 
brought to the various Centers and the intervention provided. A yearly statistical 
report shall be submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment and other 
concerned agencies.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. -  To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sums 
as may be necessary are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National 
Treasury.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,