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DATE 20 yy m5 Dh
Republic of the Philippines TIME .
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘J BY Y
Quezon City, Metro Manila Xo. y &
M0 invExS

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 2705

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, [locos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The establishment of provincial office of the Department of Migrant
Workers (DMW) is essential to ensure that the needs of our Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families are adequately met, especially
in areas where access to DMW services remains limited.

In 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority estimated that there are
1.77 million OFWs. Notably, the Ilocos Region ranked fifth among all
regions in terms of the number of OFWs. However, access to the programs
and services of the DMW remains limited due to geographic and logistical
constraints. OFWs and their dependents in the province have to travel
considerable distances to secure the agency’s services.

In recognition of this, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte has
proactively engaged in partnerships with national government agencies such
as the DMW to implement mobile outreach programs, as reported by the
Philippine News Agency on 7 November 2023. While commendable, such
initiative cannot substitute for a permanent and fully operational presence of
the DMW in the province.

Hence, this legislative measure seeks to establish a provincial office of
the Department of Migrant Workers to be located in the Municipality of
Bacarra, to be known as the DMW Ilocos Norte Provincial Office. The office
shall serve as the primary hub for DMW operations in the province. Further,
this proposed measure aims to decentralize the delivery of services, reduce
financial and logistical burdens on OF Ws, and sustain institutional support
for the Filipino migrant sector in the region.



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

FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS.


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._2705

Introduced by Rep. FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
1* District, Ilocos Norte

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF MIGRANT WORKERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACARRA,
PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, TO BE KNOWN AS THE "DMW
ILOCOS NORTE PROVINCIAL OFFICE", AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established a provincial office of the
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to be located in the Municipality of
Bacarra, Province of Ilocos Norte, to be known as the "DMW Ilocos Norte
Provincial Office”, which shall exercise jurisdiction over the Province of
locos Norte and shall be under the direct supervision of the DMW.

SEC. 2. The DMW Secretary shall include in the Department's program the
operationalization of a provincial office in the Municipality of Bacarra,
Province of Ilocos Norte, and shall transfer all records, property, equipment,
supplies, and materials pertaining to the jurisdiction and administration of
the new provincial office and shall provide all the necessary assistance in its
establishment in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers shall include
in the Department's program the operationalization of the DMW Ilocos Norte
Provincial Office in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


SEC. 4, Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DMW
Secretary shall promulgate the rules and regulations for its effective
implementation,

SEC. 5. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 6. Any law, issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,