/ I  
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 .,\],. -2 i' c 
J C  
First Regular Session 
1 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA is primarily 
tasked to manage a special fund dedicated to repatriation assistance and other 
welfare services for distressed OFWs. 
Ever since the special fund has grown into a multi-billion peso concern, 
there has been a growing pressure on the OWWA to render more welfare 
services to OFWs, including the deployment abroad of Welfare Officers who 
provide the Filipino migrant worker and his family all the assistance they may 
need in the enforcement of contractual obligations by agencies or entities and/or 
by their principals. In the performance of this functions, the Welfare Officer can 
make representation, and may call on the agencies or entities concerned to 
conferences or conciliation meetings for the purpose of settling the complaints or 
problems brought to his attention. 
In other words, OWWA is being allowed to encroach on the proper 
functions of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA simply 
because it is the agency that controls the multi-billion peso special fund for 
OFWs. 
This setup is dysfunctional since it is the POEA that has regulatory 
functions over recruitment agencies and their principals, and it is POEA, not 
OWWA, that is in the forefront of overseas deployment, including the review and 
approval of OFW contracts. 
This bill seeks to remedy this anomaly by abolishing OWWA and 
transferring all is functions to the POEA, including the management of the special 
fund for OFWs. 
Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is therefore earnestly requested. 
" 
IT0 ESTRADA 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
First Regular Session 
) ) 
7 JuI -z F'h::!ii 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
1 
Senate Bill No. 
5 7 0 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ABOLISHING THE OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE 
ADMINISTRATION OR OWWA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and HouSe of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA is 
hereby abolished. All properties, records, equipment, buildings, facilities, and 
other assets, liabilities and appropriations of and belonging to the 
abovementioned office, as well as other matters pending therein, including the 
special funds it administers, shall be transferred to the Philippine Overseas 
Employment Administration or POEA. All personnel of the above abolished office 
shall continue to function in a holdover capacity and shall be preferentially 
considered for appointments to or placement in the POEA. 
Any official or employee separated from the service as a result of the 
abolition of office pursuant to this Act shall be entitled to appropriate separation 
pay and retirement and other benefits accruing to them under existing laws. In 
lieu thereof, at the option of the employee, he shall be preferentially considered 
for employment in the government or in any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities, 
or agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations and their 
subsidiaries. 
The Department of Labor and Employment shall issue the necessary rules 
and regulations for the implementation of this Act, and for the incorporation of the 
functions and activities of OWWA into the POEA organization within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national papers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,