TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 1224
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25 AUG 20 P3 35
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A DIGITALIZED OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) 
WELFARE AND MONITORING SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The welfare and protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are paramount 
concerns of the Philippine government. OFWs contribute significantly to the national 
economy through their remittances, yet they often face various challenges, including 
illegal recruitment, contract violations, abuse, exploitation, and difficulties in accessing 
government services while abroad. The current systems for monitoring and assisting 
OFWs are often fragmented, manual, and reactive, leading to delays in intervention 
and inadequate support.
This proposed "Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring System Act" seeks to 
address these challenges by establishing a comprehensive, centralized, and accessible 
digital platform. This system will leverage modern technology to streamline the 
registration, monitoring, and provision of welfare services to OFWs from their pre­
departure to their reintegration. It aims to provide real-time data on OFW locations, 
employment status, and welfare concerns, enabling proactive intervention and 
efficient delivery of assistance.
Key features of the proposed system include:
1. Centralized Database: A secure and integrated database containing essential
information about OFWs, accessible to relevant government agencies.


2. Real-time Monitoring: Mechanisms for OFWs to report their status, location, 
and any issues, allowing for immediate government response.
3. Emergency Assistance Module: A dedicated feature for OFWs to easily request 
emergency assistance, which will trigger immediate alerts to relevant 
authorities.
4. Service Access: A platform for OFWs to access government services, such as 
welfare assistance, legal aid, and reintegration programs, remotely.
5. Information Dissemination: A channel for the government to disseminate vital 
information, advisories, and alerts to OFWs.
6. Data Privacy and Security: Robust measures to ensure the privacy and security 
of OFW data, in compliance with existing data privacy laws.
7. Inter-Agency Coordination: Facilitation of seamless data sharing and 
collaboration among government agencies involved in OFW welfare.
By digitalizing and centralizing OFW welfare and monitoring, this Act aims to 
enhance the government's capacity to protect and promote the well-being of OFWs, 
ensure their rights are upheld, and provide timely and effective assistance, ultimately 
fostering a more secure and supportive environment for our modern-day heroes.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAFFY T. TULFO


Senate
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
25 AUG 20 P3 35
SENATE 
S. No. 12?A
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A DIGITALIZED OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFW) 
WELFARE AND MONITORING SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "DigitalizedOFW Welfare
2 
and Monitoring System Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
protect the rights and promote the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as
5 
vital contributors to national development. Toward this end, the State shall establish
6 
a comprehensive, accessible, and secure digitalized system for the registration,
7 
monitoring, and provision of welfare services to OFWs, ensuring timely intervention,
8 
efficient service delivery, and enhanced protection against exploitation and abuse.
9 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
10 
mean:
11 
a. Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring System (DOWNS): Refers to the
12 
integrated digital platform established under this Act for the registration,
13 
monitoring, and provision of welfare services to OFWs.
14 
b. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW): Refers to a person who is to be
15 
engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in
16 
a country of which he or she is not a citizen or permanent resident or is
17 
not seeking permanent residence. This term shall include documented
18 
and undocumented OFWs, seafarers, and those in irregular situations.


1 
c. Personal Information: Refers to any information, whether recorded in a
2 
material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent
3 
or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the
4 
information, or when put together with other information would directly
5 
and certainly identify an individual.
6 
d. Sensitive Personal Information: Refers to personal information:
7 
1. About an individual's race, ethnic origin, marital status, age, color,
8 
and religious, philosophical, or political affiliations;
9 
2. About an individual's health, education, genetic or sexual life, or
10 
to any proceeding for any offense committed or alleged to have
11 
been committed by such person, the disposal of such
12 
proceedings, or the sentence of any court in such proceedings;
13 
3. Issued by government agencies peculiar to an individual, which
14 
includes, but is not limited to, social security numbers, previous
15 
or current health records, licenses or their denials, suspension or
16 
revocation, and tax returns; and
17 
4. Specifically established by an executive order or an act of
18 
Congress to be kept classified.
19 
e. Welfare Services: Refer to the programs and assistance provided by the
20 
government to OFWs, including but not limited to legal assistance,
21 
repatriation, medical assistance, financial aid, psychosocial support, and
22 
reintegration programs.
23 
Sec. 4. Establishment of the Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring System
24 
(DOWNS).-Ih&ce is hereby established a Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring
25 
System (DOWNS) under the direct supervision and control of the Department of
26 
Migrant Workers (DMW). The DMW shall be the primary agency responsible for the
27 
development, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the DOWNS.
28 
Sec. 5. Functions of the DOWNS.- The DOWNS shall have the following
29 
functions:
30 
a) Centralized Registration and Database: To serve as a comprehensive
31 
and centralized digital repository of all OFWs, including their personal
32 
information, employment details, contract information, travel history,


1 
and other relevant data, subject to data privacy regulations.
2 
b) Real-time Monitoring and Status Updates: To enable OFWs to
3 
regularly update their status, location, and employment conditions,
4 
and to report any concerns, issues, or emergencies through a user-
5 
friendly interface.
6 
c) Emergency Assistance Module: To provide a dedicated module for
7 
OFWs to request immediate emergency assistance, which shall
8 
trigger real-time alerts to the DMW, Philippine Foreign Service Posts
9 
(PFSPs), and other relevant agencies for prompt action.
10 
d) Access to Welfare Services: To serve as a portal for OFWs to access
11 
information on and apply for various government welfare services,
12 
including legal assistance, repatriation, medical aid, financial
13 
assistance, and psychosocial support.
14 
e) Information Dissemination: To disseminate timely and relevant
15 
information, advisories, alerts, and government programs to OFWs
16 
through various digital channels.
17 
f) Grievance Mechanism: To provide a streamlined mechanism for
18 
OFWs to file complaints and grievances related to their employment
19 
or welfare, and to track the status of their concerns.
20 
g) Reintegration Program Management: To facilitate the enrollment and
21 
monitoring of OFWs in reintegration programs upon their return 
to
22 
the Philippines.
23 
h) Data Analytics and Reporting: To generate comprehensive reports
24 
and analytics on OFW demographics, employment trends, welfare
25 
cases, and other relevant data to inform policy formulation and
26 
program development.
27 
Sec. 6. Interoperability and Inter-Agency Coordination. - The DOWMS shall be
28 
designed to be interoperable with existing and future digital systems of other
29 
government agencies involved in OFW welfare, including but not limited to the
30 
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
31 
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment


1 
Administration (POEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine
2 
National Police (PNP). The DMW shall establish protocols for secure data sharing and
3 
coordination among these agencies to ensure a holistic approach to OFW welfare.
4 
Sec. 7. Data Privacy and Security. - The DMW, in coordination with the National
5 
Privacy Commission (NPC), shall ensure the highest standards of data privacy and
6 
security in the development, implementation, and operation of the DOWNS. All
7 
personal and sensitive personal information collected, stored, and processed through
8 
the DOWNS shall be handled in strict compliance with Republic Act No. 10173,
9 
otherwise known as the "Data Privacy Act of 2012," and its Implementing Rules and
10 
Regulations.
11 
Sec. 8. Access to Information.- Access to information within the DOWNS shall
12 
be strictly limited to authorized personnel of the DNW and other relevant government
13 
agencies, on a need-to-know basis, and for legitimate purposes directly related to
14 
OFW welfare and protection. Unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse of
15 
information shall be subject to penalties under existing laws.
16 
Sec. 9. Funding. -The initial funding for the development, implementation, and
17 
operation of the DOWNS shall be charged against the current appropriations of
18 
the Department of Migrant Workers. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for
19 
its continued operation and maintenance shall be included in the annual General
20 
Appropriations Act.
21 
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).- Within ninety (90)
22 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Migrant Workers, in
23 
consultation with relevant government agencies, OFWs, and civil society
24 
organizations, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
25 
implementation of this Act.
26 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause.- If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
27 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
28 
remain valid and subsisting.
29 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
30 
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
31 
amended, or modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 13. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
3 
general circulation.
Approved,