Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

16" Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5662

Introduced by Representative WESLIE T. GATCHALIAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

An estimated number of 10.5 million Filipinos work abroad and earn the
compliment of being the “bagong bayani” for their great sacrifices of being
away and supporting their families back home and keeping the Philippine
economy soaring. Yearly, the number is still growing with a pace of almost one
million OFWs per year.

Even as we hear success stories, there are also disturbing stories and even
complaints that pose dangers and threat to our OFWs.

It is for this reason that this bill is being proposed to reduce, if not eradicate,
the vulnerability of our OFWs to abuses and for them to be fairly competitive
by institutionalizing and strengthening Pre-Departure programs for OFWs as
proactive tools of protection and empowerment to our migrant workers.


It may be recalled that our existing Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar is dated
way back in 1983, through POEA Memorandum Circular No. 3, with a PDOS
curriculum almost unchanged except for health, safety and financial literacy.

It is now time for us to revisit the curriculum of the Pre-Departure Orientation
Seminar and to institutionalize this policy by enacting the same into law

This bill also provides OFWs with reliable and dependable pieces of
information of their destination countries on arrival and on site assistance,
cultural, religious and economic situations and reintegration mind set in the
event our OFWs settle for good in the country.

Also, another novel feature of the bill is the teaching of basic language on
vocabulary, common words, and listening skills of destination countries to our
OFWs for them to easily communicate, adapt and integrate with the
destination countries. This is aside from the fact that learning basic language of
the destination country will certainly add value to the services of our OFWs to
their foreign employers that will make them more internationally and globally
competitive.

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

LIE T. GATGHALIAN
Representative
Alay Buhayartylist



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

16" Congress
Second Regular Session

5662

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative WESLIE T. GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE MIGRANT WORKERS AND
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS AMENDED,
FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE PRE-DEPARTURE
ORIENTATION PROGRAM OF THE OVERSEAS
FILIPINO WORKERS.

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

SECTION 1. Second paragraph of Subparagraph (b.1) of paragraph (b) of
Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“in addition to its powers and functions, the Administration shall inform migrant
workers not only of their rights as workers but also of their rights as human
beings, instruct and guide the workers how to assert their rights and provide the
available mechanism to redress violation of their rights. It shall also be
responsible for the implementation, in partnership with other law-enforcement


agencies, of an intensified program against illegal recruitment activities. For this
purpose, the POEA shall provide free comprehensive Pre-Employment Orientation
Seminars (PEOS) and Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) with the
following curriculum:

«. Terms of deployment and employment contracts including rights
and obligations of labor migrants and their employers

+. Criminal laws and regulations of destination countries;

c Arrival_and departure procedures for country of ori
destination countries;

d. Role of the Philippine diplomatic missions and procedures on how

in_and

to access assistance;
« Basic language course of destination countries;
f \ssue on human rights and drug trafficking;
gy Cultural and religious awareness of destination countries;
4. Insurance claims and financi: racy;

i Banking and remittance channels;
j. Social security benefits;

xk Occupational safety and health;

4 Human rights and ivity;
m. Mental and Li 4

n Reintegration for returning and deported OFWs;”

Provided that an OFW who has been hired in a_foreign country for at least ten

10) years and whose contract was renewed or rehired in the same country shall
no longer be required to attend the seminar unless a new curriculum is
introduced for which the said OFW shall attend for the new course.

Provided further, that the seminar shall be conducted by professionals and
accredited instructors for specific occupation, experience and destinations.

SECTION 2. Rules and Regulations. - The POEA and DOLE shall, within
ninety days (90) days after the approval of this bill shall issue the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION. 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved,