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FOURTEENTH CONGRE§S OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
lntroducod by Senator Villar 
EXPLAMATORYNOTE 
The assistance that we can give to these modern day heroes as vve call 
the Overseas Filipino Workers, and their families are only but signs of the 
gratitude that we can extend to them in return for their sacrifice for their country 
and ultimately, their families especially in their time of need. 
There is a saying that whenever you are down, there is no way to go but 
up. We may never be able to assure these modern day heroes that when ilhey 
are down, we can bring them up, but one thing is .For sure, we can allow theni to 
build themselves up again by giving them assistance in their time of need so 'that 
ultimately, they can once again have their day in the sun. 
In the past few months, nothing but bad news have plagued our 
broads!ieets as news of a possible global recession, if not depression have hit 
the streets, with the collapse of major financial institutions the world over, and it 
is a fact that our Overseas Filipino Workers will take a hit in ihis crisis, and it is 
our job to cushion them and their families, if and when they fall, for this reasor?, 
the passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF ASSISTANCE AND INCENTIVES TO FAMILIES 
OF OVERSEAS FlLlPlNO IN TIMES OF NEED ANC FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacfed by the Senate and the House of Representafives in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "Assistance to OFW Family 
Act of 2008." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. It is the policy of the State to 
protect the families of OFWs whenever for any of the reasons stated herein 
below, assistance may be required by them. 
SECTION 3. Instances when assistance may be given. The following 
instances, which are not exclusive in character, shall be the instances when 
assistance may be given to families of OFWs or to the OFW: 
a) Whenever the OFW has deprived the legitimate family or the common- 
law wife of any form of financial assistance for any reason; 
b) Whenever the OFW has left the legitimate family or the common-law 
wife without any form of financial assistance for any reason; 
c) Whenever the OFW has deprived the legitimate children of any form of 
financial assistance for any reason; 
d) In the absence of any of the following, the illegitimate children shall be 
entitled to avail of the assistance granted by the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 4. Qualifications for assistance to be given. The following 
qualifications shall be imposed upon the applicants for assistance granted by this 
Act: 
a) Families -. for the legitimate family or the common-law wife of the 
Status as legitimate family or common-law wife without any 
impediment to ,marry; 
The total household income shall not exceed sixty thousand 
pesos (PE0,000.00) per annum sub,ject to verification from 
the Bureau of Internal Revenue of such fact and the 
appropriate clearances from the employer; 
OFW, there shall be required the following: 
I. 
ii. 
b) Children -for the legitimate or illegitimate child, the assistance shall be 
limited to the following qualified individuals: 
I. 
The child shall not exceed the age of majority provided for by 
law; 


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I. 
ii. 
, 
shall not exceed the age of majority provided for by, 
law; 
no sufficient means of income to support himself; 
SECTION 5. Form of assistance. The assistance shall be in the following 
form: 
1) livelihood opportunities for the families; 
2) scholarship grants to the children; 
3) such other forms of assistance as may be provided for by law 
Provided, that the number of children entitled to tine assistance herein 
shall not exceed four (4). 
SECTlON 6. Livelihood assistance. Tho livelihood assistance as defined 
herein shall mean such assistance as may be sufficient to support the basic 
needs of the family herein, such assistance to be extended primarily to the family 
in most need of support. The livelihood assistance shall be provided for by the 
Department of Trade and Industry through the creation of a ne'w division, the 
OFW Livelihood Assistance Division. Provided, that the implementing rules and 
regulations of this act shall be formulated by the Department of Trade and 
Industry. 
SECTION 7. Scholarship grants. The scholarship grants shall be 
extended to children qualified according, to the provisions of this Act. Provided, 
that the scholarship grant shall extend to the tertiary level of education but not to 
post-graduate studies; Provided, further, that the Department of Education, 
Culture and Sports, shall be responsible for the grant of such benefits 
accordingly; Provided, finally, that even upon reaching the age of majority, the 
child previously entitied to the benefits of this Act shall be extended assistance 
until the completion of the education, subject to the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations to be for,mulated by the Department of Education, Culture and 
sports. 
SECTION 8. Appropriations, - The sum of fifty million pesos 
(P50,000,000.00) necessary for the initial operating expenses of the assistance 
is hereby charged to the appropriations authorized for the OFW Assistance Fund. 
Thereafter, the sum necessary for the continued operation and maintenance 
shall be included in the annual budget of the Office of the President. 
SECTION 9, Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or any part 
hereof be declared ,unconstitutional or invalid the remainder of this Act or any 
provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, proclamations, rules 
and regulations, or part thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers 
of general circulation. 
Approved