Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __ 
Introduced by Representatives JOCELYN P. TULFO, RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO, and 
EDVIC G. YAP 
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.
July 31, 2025
3:24 pm
2829




Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.____ 
Introduced by Representatives JOCELYN P. TULFO, RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO, and 
EDVIC G. YAP 
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:
SECTION 1. Short Title. 
1 
This Act shall be known as the "Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring System 
2 
Act." 
3 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. 
4 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect the rights and promote the 
5 
welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as vital contributors to national 
6 
development. Toward this end, the State shall establish a comprehensive, 
7 
accessible, and secure digitalized system for the registration, monitoring, and 
8 
provision of welfare services to OFWs, ensuring timely intervention, efficient service 
9 
delivery, and enhanced protection against exploitation and abuse. 
10 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. 
11 
For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
12 
a. Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring System (DOWMS): Refers to
13 
the integrated digital platform established under this Act for the registration,
14 
monitoring, and provision of welfare services to OFWs.
15 
b. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW): Refers to a person who is to be
16 
engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a
17 
country of which he or she is not a citizen or permanent resident or is not
18 
seeking permanent residence. This term shall include documented and
19 
undocumented OFWs, seafarers, and those in irregular situations.
20 
c. Personal Information: Refers to any information, whether recorded in a
21 
material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent or
22 
2829


can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the 
1 
information, or when put together with other information would directly and 
2 
certainly identify an individual. 
3 
d. Sensitive Personal Information: Refers to personal information: 
4 
1. About an individual's race, ethnic origin, marital status, age, color, and 
5 
religious, philosophical, or political affiliations; 
6 
2. About an individual's health, education, genetic or sexual life, or to 
7 
any proceeding for any offense committed or alleged to have been 
8 
committed by such person, the disposal of such proceedings, or the 
9 
sentence of any court in such proceedings; 
10 
3. Issued by government agencies peculiar to an individual, which 
11 
includes, but is not limited to, social security numbers, previous or 
12 
current health records, licenses or their denials, suspension or 
13 
revocation, and tax returns; and 
14 
4. Specifically established by an executive order or an act of Congress 
15 
to be kept classified. 
16 
e. Welfare Services: Refer to the programs and assistance provided by the 
17 
government to OFWs, including but not limited to legal assistance, 
18 
repatriation, medical assistance, financial aid, psychosocial support, and 
19 
reintegration programs. 
20 
SECTION 4. Establishment of the Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring 
21 
System (DOWMS). 
22 
There is hereby established a Digitalized OFW Welfare and Monitoring System 
23 
(DOWMS) under the direct supervision and control of the Department of Migrant 
24 
Workers (DMW). The DMW shall be the primary agency responsible for the 
25 
development, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the DOWMS. 
26 
SECTION 5. Functions of the DOWMS. 
27 
The DOWMS shall have the following functions: 
28 
a) Centralized Registration and Database: To serve as a comprehensive 
29 
and centralized digital repository of all OFWs, including their personal 
30 
information, employment details, contract information, travel history, and 
31 
other relevant data, subject to data privacy regulations. 
32 
b) Real-time Monitoring and Status Updates: To enable OFWs to 
33 
regularly update their status, location, and employment conditions, and 
34 
to report any concerns, issues, or emergencies through a user-friendly 
35 
interface. 
36 
c) Emergency Assistance Module: To provide a dedicated module for 
37 
OFWs to request immediate emergency assistance, which shall trigger 
38 
real-time alerts to the DMW, Philippine Foreign Service Posts (PFSPs), 
39 
and other relevant agencies for prompt action. 
40 
d) Access to Welfare Services: To serve as a portal for OFWs to access 
41 
information on and apply for various government welfare services, 
42 
including legal assistance, repatriation, medical aid, financial assistance, 
43 
and psychosocial support. 
44 


e) Information Dissemination: To disseminate timely and relevant 
1 
information, advisories, alerts, and government programs to OFWs 
2 
through various digital channels. 
3 
f) Grievance Mechanism: To provide a streamlined mechanism for OFWs 
4 
to file complaints and grievances related to their employment or welfare, 
5 
and to track the status of their concerns. 
6 
g) Reintegration Program Management: To facilitate the enrollment and 
7 
monitoring of OFWs in reintegration programs upon their return to the 
8 
Philippines. 
9 
h) Data Analytics and Reporting: To generate comprehensive reports and 
10 
analytics on OFW demographics, employment trends, welfare cases, and 
11 
other relevant data to inform policy formulation and program 
12 
development. 
13 
SECTION 6. Interoperability and Inter-Agency Coordination. 
14 
The DOWMS shall be designed to be interoperable with existing and future digital 
15 
systems of other government agencies involved in OFW welfare, including but not 
16 
limited to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and 
17 
Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), 
18 
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), National Bureau of 
19 
Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). The DMW shall 
20 
establish protocols for secure data sharing and coordination among these agencies 
21 
to ensure a holistic approach to OFW welfare. 
22 
SECTION 7. Data Privacy and Security. 
23 
The DMW, in coordination with the National Privacy Commission (NPC), shall 
24 
ensure the highest standards of data privacy and security in the development, 
25 
implementation, and operation of the DOWMS. All personal and sensitive personal 
26 
information collected, stored, and processed through the DOWMS shall be handled 
27 
in strict compliance with Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the "Data 
28 
Privacy Act of 2012," and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
29 
SECTION 8. Access to Information. 
30 
Access to information within the DOWMS shall be strictly limited to authorized 
31 
personnel of the DMW and other relevant government agencies, on a need-to-know 
32 
basis, and for legitimate purposes directly related to OFW welfare and protection. 
33 
Unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse of information shall be subject to 
34 
penalties under existing laws. 
35 
SECTION 9. Funding. 
36 
The initial funding for the development, implementation, and operation of the 
37 
DOWMS shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Department of 
38 
Migrant Workers. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued 
39 
operation and maintenance shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
40 
Act. 
41 
SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). 
42 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Migrant 
43 
Workers, in consultation with relevant government agencies, OFWs, and civil 
44 


society organizations, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the 
1 
effective implementation of this Act. 
2 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. 
3 
If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of 
4 
the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
5 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. 
6 
All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with 
7 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
8 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. 
9 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in 
10 
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
11 
Approved, 
12