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

NINETEENTH (19") CONGRESS
1* Regular Session

* House silt wo. 2065

Introduced by Hon. WILTER YAP PALMA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Statistics Authority (2023) states that there is a total number of 2.3
Million OFWs deployed abroad, 97% of which are those with existing work contract
while according to the International Labor Organization (2022) there are about a
11 million Filipinos living abroad who are also sending remittances back to the
Philippines. Since their advent in the 1980's, these workers are now often hailed as
our “Modern Day Heroes” due to their gargantuan contribution to the rapid rise of
the Philippine Economy through their remittances. In fact, according to the Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas (2021), a total of $34.9 billion remittances was recorded which
accounts to 8.9% of our gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021. By entering various
jobs overseas, OFWs have greatly contributed to the reduction of poverty within
the country and have played an integral part in transforming our once-struggling
financial sector into a blossoming one today.

However, despite being viewed as heroes, they are still being accosted by a number
of issues within various international airports in the country. To put things into
perspective, due to their lack of personal funds for hotel accommodation and the
like, a lot of OFWs are forced to sleep on the benches of Ninoy Aquino International
Airport and other similar international airports just so they won't miss their flight
while others would have to forego their meals while at the airport just so they
would have enough money to get to their destination.


Itis clear that this treatment is not befitting for our so called “Modern Day Heroes”,
as key economic pillars of the country they deserve to be treated with the utmost
respect and admiration due to the sacrifices that they have made just to provide a
better life for them and their families. Thus, this bill aims to provide such respect
and treatment that they so deserve by establishing an OFW Resting Lounge within
every airport charting international flights in the country with the sole purpose of
catering to the welfare of every active OFW by providing them with the necessary
facilities and amenities that would be of help to them as they embark towards their
next destination, a proper send-off that is befitting for a “hero”.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Hon. WILTER YAP PALMA

boanga Sibugay


eyvauee

10
u
12
13

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

NINETEENTH (19"") CONGRESS
First Regular Session

7065

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. WILTER YAP PALMA.

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWs) RESTING LOUNGE IN ALL AIRPORTS CHARTERING INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS IN THE COUNTRY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be referred to as the “OFW Resting Lounge
Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared the policy of the State to
bolster the importance of the Overseas Filipino Workers as a driving force in the
nation’s economy and nation building. Towards this end, the State shall adopt
measures that would protect the well-being of the Overseas Filipino Workers by
providing adequate and timely services that would safeguard their rights and
promote their welfare.

SECTION 3. Establishment of an OFW Resting Lounge. — The National Government
through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall establish an OFW Resting Lounge in all
airports chartering international flights in the country which would primarily cater


14
15

16
7

18
19
20
2
22
23
24
25

26
27
28

29
30
31
32
33

34
35
36
37
38
39

a
42

to the welfare of all active Overseas Filipino Workers with existing contracts in the
country.

SECTION 4. Purposes and Objectives. — This Act shall have the following purposes
and objectives:

a. Establish, operate and maintain an OFW Resting Lounge situated in every
airport within the country chartering international flights equipped with
the necessary amenities and facilities that could be used by all active
Overseas Filipino Workers with existing contracts, free of charge.

b. These OFW Resting Lounges shall serve as the primary resting area for all
active Overseas Filipino Workers with existing contracts flying out or
within the country where they are able to relax while waiting for their
respective flights.

SECTION 5. Facilities and Amenities. — For the purpose of this Act, all OFW Resting
Lounges in every airport chartering international flights in the country shall have
the following facilities and amenities, including but not limited to:

. Gadget charging stations;

. Complementary snacks and drinks area;

Shower and Comfort rooms;

. Sleeping quarters; and

. Monitors and/or speakers to track boarding and departure times.

eans®e

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW),
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall cover the
necessary appropriations for the implementation of this Act through a cost-sharing
scheme. The said funds for the construction and maintenance of the lounges shall
be included within the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Migrant
Workers (DMW), in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),


43

45

a7

49
50

51
52

53

54

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,