EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
'©Kiel- of till -
20 SEP 16 P4 :10
SENATE
Senate Bill No.^^35 REC
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, RATIONALIZING THE ORGANIZATION AND 
FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RELATED TO OVERSEAS 
EMPLOYMENT AND MIGRATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
We recognize our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as our "modern heroes" 
due to their exceptional contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product and 
their sacrifices to support and attain a more comfortable life for their families. The 
dreams they brought gave them the courage to find fortune abroad but not 
everyone is lucky enough to succeed and some found misfortune instead.
As of 2018, there are around 10.08-million Overseas Filipinos around the 
globe. Together, they drive of domestic consumption and account for 9.7 percent of 
the Gross Domestic Product in 20181. Particularly, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 
reports that, in 2018, cash remittances from overseas Filipinos have amounted to 
USD 28.943 Billion2. This is in addition to remittances in kind or in the form of 
investments that migrant Filipino workers send here in the country.
' https://www.manilatimes.net/ofw-remittances-hit-all-time-high-in-2018/512476/ 
2 http://www.bsp.gov.ph/statistics/keystat/ofw.htm


Currently, there are different agencies that have mandates relative to 
overseas employment, i.e., the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the 
Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), the Overseas Workers Welfare 
Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of the 
Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA). There are also other 
agencies that have programs and projects for OFWs such as Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD), Social Security System, among others. The absence of a 
single agency to address foreign employment concerns has made it difficult for the 
government to focus on the needs and demands of foreign Filipino employment, in 
general, and of OFWs, in particular.
Hence, there is a need for the establishment of an agency that would 
manage, harmonize, and strengthen existing policies and programs to address the 
needs of Overseas Filipino Workers.
This legislative measure proposes the establishment of a Department of 
Overseas Filipinos to serves as the umbrella agency to specifically address all the 
issues and concerns of Filipinos in abroad and their families, to afford them full 
protection, promote their full and Just employment, mitigate the social costs back 
home, and serve as a channel to address OFW issues and grievances.
While we recognize that the government has to prioritize to continuously 
create local employment opportunities and develop local industries, we shall not 
overlook the need to serve millions of our overseas Filipinos and ensure the just 
employment of our migrant workers.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CH
OPHER “BONG" T. GO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
C .*■ I
■ 4p «"v ‘i ^ I ^ I >
1 »I ^ i« 
©Hiu' cf tbv
20 SEP 16 P4:10
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, RATIONALIZING THE ORGANIZATION AND 
FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES RELATED TO OVERSEAS 
EMPLOYMENT AND MIGRATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR. 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of
2 
Overseas Filipinos Act of 2020."
3
4 
Sec. 2. Declaration of policies. -
5 
a. It is the primordial duty of the State to protect the rights and promote the
6 
welfare and interest of Overseas Filipinos;
7 
b. It is the duty of the State to uphold the dignity of labor and enhance its
8 
bargaining position in both domestic and international conditions. The State
9 
shall protect the welfare of all Filipinos, particularly those working and/or
10 
residing abroad, provide social protection and minimize the social costs of
11 
migration to their families at home, execute programs to sustain them when
12 
they return from abroad, and harness the robust contribution of Filipino
13 
communities outside of the country towards nation-building, utilizing a whole-
14 
of-government and whole-of-society approach;
15 
c. While recognizing the significant contribution of Overseas Filipinos, including
16 
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), to the national economy through their


1 
foreign exchange remittances and investments, the State does not promote
2 
overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve
3 
national development. The State's overseas employment program rests solely
4 
on the assurance that the dignity and human rights of OFWs shall neither be
5 
compromised nor violated. Towards this end, the State shall continually aim
6 
to make overseas employment a choice of last resort and not a necessity for
7 
every Filipino citizen;
8 
d. In the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and while considering national
9 
sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-
10 
determination paramount in its relations with other states, the State shall, at
11 
all times, uphold the dignity of its citizens, whether in-country or overseas,
12 
continuously monitor bilateral agreements with countries of destination and
13 
international conventions in order to adopt or be a signatory to and ratify
14 
those agreements that guarantee protection to Overseas Filipinos:
15 
e. The State shall afford full protection to Overseas Filipinos, including OFWs,
16 
promote full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of sex,
17 
gender, race, creed or religion, monitor the relations between OFWs and their
18 
employers, and promote their welfare and well-being at all times. The State
19 
shall protect the rights of the workers to security of tenure, and just and
20 
humane conditions of work. Towards this end, the State shall provide
21 
adequate and timely social, economic, and legal services to OFWs:
22 
f. The State affirms the fundamental equality before the law of men and women
23 
and the latter's significant role In nation-building. In recognizing the particular
24 
vulnerabilities of women, especially those who are working abroad, the State
25 
shall apply gender sensitive criteria in the formulation and Implementation of
26 
its policies and programs;
27 
g. Free access to the courts, quasi-judicial bodies, and adequate legal assistance
28 
shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty. In this regard, it is
29 
imperative that an effective mechanism be instituted by the State to ensure
30 
that the rights and interests of Overseas Filipinos, including OFWs, in distress,
31 
whether regular or irregular, are adequately protected and safeguarded;


1 
h. The State shall recognize and guarantee the right of all Overseas Filipinos,
2 
including OFWs, to participate in the democratic decision-making processes of
3 
the State and to be represented in institutions relevant to them;
4 
i. The State recognizes non-governmental organizations, trade unions, workers
5 
associations, business organizations and other stakeholders duly recognized
6 
as legitimate as partners of the State in the protection of Overseas Filipinos
7 
and the promotion of their welfare. The State shall nurture and uphold
8 
mutual trust and respect in areas of cooperation;
9 
j. The State shall protect every citizen desiring to work locally or overseas by
10 
securing the citizen the best possible terms and conditions of employment.
11 
The State shall endeavor to facilitate a free choice of available employment
12 
by persons seeking work and regulate the movement of workers in conformity
13 
with the national interest;
14 
k. The State affirms that the Filipino family, as a basic autonomous social
15 
institution, is the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, the solidarity of the
16 
families of OFWs shall be strengthened and their total development shall be
17 
actively promoted;
18 
I. The State recognizes that the most effective tool for empowerment and
19 
protection of rights of OFWs is their possession of appropriate skills. The
20 
government shall embark on a robust expansion of skills development and
21 
enhancement programs of the concerned agencies and shall facilitate access
22 
of OFWs to these programs. The State shall also pursue bilateral, regional
23 
and multilateral agreements on skills qualification, certification and matching;
24 
m. The State commits to fulfill the twenty-three (23) objectives of the Global
25 
Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM):
26 
1. 
Collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data as a basis for
27 
evidence-based policies;
28 
2. 
Minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people
29 
to leave the country;
30 
3. 
Provide accurate and timely information at all stages of migration;
31 
4. 
Ensure that all migrants have proof of legal identity and adequate
32 
documentation;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
5. 
Enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration;
6. 
Facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that 
ensure decent work;
7. 
Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration;
8. 
Save lives and establish coordinated international efforts on missing 
migrants;
9. 
Strengthen the transnational response to smuggling of migrants;
10. 
Prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of 
international migration;
11. 
Manage borders in an integrated, secure and coordinated manner;
12. 
Strengthen certainty and predictability in migration procedures for 
appropriate screening, assessment and referral;
13. 
Use migration detention only as a measure of last resort and work 
towards alternatives;
14. 
Enhance consular protection, assistance and cooperation throughout 
the migration cycle;
15. 
Provide access to basic services for migrants;
16. 
Empower migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social 
cohesion;
17. 
Eliminate all forms of discrimination and promote evidence-based 
public discourse to shape perceptions of migration;
18. 
Invest in skills development and facilitate mutual recognition of skills, 
qualifications and competencies;
19. 
Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to 
sustainable development In all countries;
20. 
Promote faster, safer and cheaper transfer of remittances and foster 
financial Inclusion of migrants;
21. 
Cooperate in facilitating the safe and dignified return and readmission 
of migrants as well as their sustainable reintegration into their home 
countries;
22. 
Establish mechanisms for the portability of social security entitlements 
and earned benefits; and


1 
23. Strengthen international cooperation and global partnerships for safe,
2 
orderly and regular migration.
3
4 
Sec. 3. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms and
5 
phrases are defined as follows:
6 
a. Assistance to Nationals (ATN) - refers to services provided by the Philippine
7 
Government to any Overseas Filipino in distress which may be in the form of
8 
repatriation, medical assistance, shipment of remains, legal assistance and
9 
representation, rescue, evacuation, financial assistance or any other
10 
analogous help or intervention to ensure that the Filipino national's human
11 
rights and welfare are protected, respected, and fulfilled;
12 
b. Country of destination - refers to any country other than the Philippines
13 
where a Filipino citizen Is temporarily or permanently residing:
14 
c. Ethical recruitment - refers to the practice of recruiting and deploying
15 
overseas workers through government accredited recruitment or manning
16 
agencies, that allow overseas workers to change employers and modify the
17 
conditions or length of their stay with minimal administrative burden, while
18 
promoting greater opportunities for decent work and respect for international
19 
human rights and labor law, prohibit the confiscation or nonconsequential
20 
retention of work contracts, and travel or identity documents from migrants
21 
and guarantees that the employer pay principle is upheld;
22 
d. Overseas Filipino (OF) - refers to a Filipino national outside the Philippines,
23 
whether permanent or temporary, regardless of such national's legal status,
24 
including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), tourists, pilgrims, students,
25 
trainees, and religious missionaries.
26 
e. Overseas Filipino in distress - refers to an OF who has a medical,
27 
psychosocial, or legal problem, or is experiencing abuse or exploitation, or
28 
whose human rights are being violated, and requires treatment,
29 
hospitalization, counseling, legal representation, rescue, repatriation, or any
30 
other kind of analogous intervention. Including those who have died thereat
31 
and whose remains have to be repatriated to the Philippines;


1 
f. License - refers to the document issued by the Secretary of the Department
2 
authorizing a natural or juridical person or his duly authorized official or
3 
representative to operate a private recruitment or manning agency:
4 
g. Manning agency - refers to a natural or juridical person duly licensed by the
5 
Secretary of the Department to engage in the recruitment and placement of
6 
seafarers or sea-based migrant workers;
7 
h. Overseas employment - refers to employment outside the Philippines;
8 
i. Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) - refers to a Filipino who is to be engaged, is
9 
engaged, or has been engaged in remunerated activity in a state or country
10 
which is not the Philippines and which he or she is not a permanent resident,
11 
whether land-based or sea-based. For purposes of this provision, a person
12 
engaged in remunerated activity refers to a person who has been contracted
13 
for overseas employment but has yet to leave the Philippines;
14 
j. Recruitment agency - refers to a natural or juridical person duly licensed by
15 
the Secretary of the Department to engage in the recruitment or placement
16 
of land-based migrant workers:
17 
k. Regular overseas Filipino worker - refers to an OFW who has a passport,
18 
valid visa, permit to stay, travel paper, or any other document necessary to
19 
work or continue working In the country in which he Is working. It includes an
20 
OFW who has a contract of employment approved by the Department.
21 
I. Reintegration program - refers to a measure or a set of measures intended
22 
for mainstreaming returning OFWs into the Philippine society, including but
23 
not limited to livelihood projects, wellness programs, financial literacy
24 
programs and other similar projects:
25 
m. Seafarer - refers to an OFW who is engaged in employment in any capacity
26 
on board a merchant marine vessel plying international waters or other sea-
27 
based craft of similar category. For purposes of this Act, it shall include
28 
fisherfolk, cruise ship personnel, yacht crew, those serving on mobile offshore
29 
and drilling units in the high seas, and other persons similarly situated.
30


1
2
3
4
5
6 
7
Sec. 4. Creation and mandate. - The Department of Overseas Filipinos, 
hereinafter referred to as "the Department", is hereby organized structurally and 
functionally in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
The Department shall be the primary agency under the Executive Branch of 
the government tasked to protect the rights and promote the welfare of overseas 
Filipinos; formulate, plan, coordinate, promote, administer, and implement policies,
8 
and undertake systematic national development programs for managing and
9 
monitoring the overseas or foreign employment of Filipino workers, while taking into
10 
consideration domestic manpower and human resource requirements and the need
11 
to protect the right to decent work and fair and ethical recruitment practices.
12
13 
Sec. 5. Powers and functions. - To carry out its mandate, the Department
14 
shall:
15 
a. Formulate, recommend, and implement national policies, plans, programs.
16 
and guidelines that will ensure the protection of overseas Filipinos, including
17 
OFWs, the promotion of their interests, and the timely and effective
18 
resolution of their problems:
19 
b. Ensure that policies and programs are in place to adequately protect and
20 
prospective overseas Filipinos, including OFWs;
21 
c. Regulate, through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the
22 
deployment of overseas Filipino workers:
23 
d. Initiate, pursue, and help prosecute, in coordination with the Department of
24 
Justice, illegal recruitment and human trafficking cases as defined under
25 
Republic Act No. 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act;
26 
e. Conduct, in coordination with relevant stakeholders, studies on policy areas
27 
and options that will ensure protection of overseas Filipinos and address
28 
perennial issues that they encounter;
29 
f. Protect and promote the welfare, well-being, and interests of the families of
30 
overseas Filipinos:
31 
g. Build, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, strong and
32 
harmonious partnerships with counterpart and relevant agencies in foreign


1 
countries to formulato-ond-implemcnt in order to facilitate the implementation
2 
of strategies and programs designed for the protection and promotion of the
3 
rights and well-being of overseas Filipinos and their families;
4 
h. Assess, review, harmonize, and coordinate. In coordination with the
5 
Department of Foreign Affairs, applicable policies and procedures pursuant to
6 
multilateral, regional, or bilateral treaties and agreements with foreign
7 
countries, the United Nations and its affiliate organizations, and other
8 
international and regional organizations;
9 
i. Cooperate and coordinate with foreign countries of destination, and monitor
10 
labor developments in foreign countries to ensure that the terms and
11 
conditions of work 
of overseas Filipino workers are in accordance with
12 
applicable and appropriate Philippine, on-site, and international standards;
13 
j. Employ proactive, effective, and efficient approaches in providing timely ATN
14 
services to overseas Filipinos, especially in times of actual or potential war,
15 
civil unrest, pandemic or other analogous circumstances and situations;
16 
k. Provide, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, ATN services
17 
to overseas Filipinos, especially those in distress. In times of national
18 
emergencies, such as the imminence of war or pandemic, the Department
19 
shall strengthen linkages with appropriate authorities in the host country for
20 
the timely mobilization and assistance to Overseas Filipinos;
21 
I. Provide social and welfare services, including insurance, social work
22 
assistance, legal assistance, cultural services, to overseas Filipinos;
23 
m. Provide, in cooperation with the Department of Education, the Commission on
24 
Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,
25 
and other government agencies, civil societies, 
and non-governmental
26 
organizations aimed at promoting the global competitiveness 
of overseas
27 
Filipino workers, job matching services to prospective overseas Filipino
28 
workers;
29 
n. Administer the generation, accumulation, and utilization of funds for the
30 
benefit of overseas Filipinos;
31 
0. Administer reintegration and social service programs for overseas Filipinos
32 
who are returning or have returned to the Philippines;


1 
p. Encourage and enhance information and resource sharing, develop an
2 
electronic database to improve services for overseas Filipinos, and strengthen
3 
linkages and cooperation among government agencies, consistent with
4 
national and overseas Filipino-focused objectives;
5 
q. Regulate, through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the
6 
operations of private recruitment and manning agencies and other related
7 
business entities involved in the employment of overseas Filipino workers to
8 
protect the interests and well-being of these workers, with due consideration
9 
to relevant market conditions:
10 
r. Foster the professionalization and ensure compliance with legal and ethical
11 
standards, training, and capacity-building of private recruitment and manning
12 
agencies:
13 
s. Represent Philippine interests pertaining to overseas Filipinos in regional, sub-
14 
regional, bilateral, and multilateral fora and international bodies, and
15 
negotiate on matters concerning overseas Filipinos, in coordination and
16 
cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs:
17 
t. Promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of pertinent laws
18 
and policies relating to overseas Filipinos;
19 
u. Accept, hold, administer, and utilize properties, subject to limitations set by
20 
existing laws, in pursuit of the mandate of the Department;
21 
V. Perform all the powers, functions, and responsibilities assigned to all
22 
agencies, offices, or units to be transferred to the Department pursuant to
23 
the consolidation mandated by this Act;
24 
w. Prosecute cases arising out of violations of the provisions of this Act, including
25 
those involving trafficking in persons and illegal recruitment, in coordination
26 
with quasi-judicial bodies such as the National Labor Relations Commission,
27 
the Department of Labor and Employment, the National Bureau of
28 
Investigation, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking;
29 
X. Assume all powers, functions, and responsibilities assigned to the Department
30 
of Labor and Employment relating to overseas Filipinos provided for under
31 
Republic Act No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act,


Republic Act No. 10801 or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act, 
and other related laws; and
y. Perform such other functions as may be necessary to achieve the objectives 
of this Act.
The exercise of the powers and functions of the Department shall in no way limit,
7 restrict or affect the pursuit of an independent foreign policy in the conduct of
8 foreign affairs.
9
10 
Sec. 6. Composition. - The Department shall consist of the Department
11 
Proper comprising of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the Undersecretaries
12 
and Assistant Secretaries, the Service Units, the Staff Bureaus, Regional offices, and
13 
ATN Units of Philippine Foreign Service Posts.
14
15 
The Secretary shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by
16 the Commission on Appointments in accordance with the Constitution. The
17 
Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries shall likewise be appointed by the
18 
President upon the recommendation of the Secretary.
19
20 
Sec. 7. The Secretary. - The authority and responsibility for the exercise of
21 
the mandate, powers, and functions of the Department shali be vested in the
22 
Secretary of the Department, who shall exercise supervision and control over the
23 
Department.
24
25 
For such purposes, the Secretary shall have the following powers and
26 functions:
27 
a. Provide executive direction, supervision, and control over the entire
28 
operations of the Department and its attached agencies, unless otherwise
29 
provided for elsewhere in this Act;
30 
b. Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical
31 
operation of the Department, consistent with the programs of the
32 
government;
10


1 
c. Exercise jurisdiction over all bureaus, offices, agencies, and corporations
2 
under the Department as provided by law and in accordance with the
3 
applicable relationships as specified in the Administrative Code;
4 
d. Delegate, with reasonable standards under the circumstances, authority for
5 
the performance of any function to offices and employees of the Department;
6 
e. Issue orders, directives, rules, and regulations, and other issuances to carry
7 
out foreign labor and employment policies, plans, programs, or projects;
8 
f. Negotiate with foreign countries' governments, in coordination with the
9 
Department of Foreign Affairs, treaties, agreements, pacts, and other similar
10 
instruments that are related to labor migration and overseas employment;
11 
g. Evaluate policy, plan, program, 
and project accomplishments of the
12 
Department;
13 
h. Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative
14 
orders and on the formulation of necessary regulatory and legislative
15 
proposals on matters pertaining to overseas Filipinos;
16 
i. Administer and manage the Assistance to Nationals Fund and issue guidelines
17 
for the proper and efficient utiiization thereof;
18 
j. Formulate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers as may
19 
be required to implement and realize the objectives of this Act;
20 
k. Supervise and manage the prosecution of cases involving the utilization of the
21 
ATN Fund;
22 
I. Act as Chairperson of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Board;
23 
m. Sit as a member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking created by
24 
Republic Act No. 9208, as 
amended;
25 
n. Create additional offices and positions, in coordination with the Department of
26 
Budget and Management 
and the Civil Service Commission, as may be
27 
necessary to fulfill the mandate of the Department;
28 
0. Promulgate and implement the implementing rules and regulations of this
29 
Act; and
30 
p. Perform such other tasks as provided for under existing laws or assigned by
31 
the President.
32
11


1 
Sec. 8. Structure of the Department - The Secretary shall be assisted by
2 four (4) Undersecretaries and by an appropriate number of Assistant Secretaries as
3 
determined by this law.
4
5 
The following offices are hereby created, each to be headed by an
6 
Undersecretary and assisted by other officers and staff:
7 
a. Office of the Undersecretary for Administration and Finance. The Office of the
8 
Undersecretary for Administration and Finance shall have the following
9 
functions:
10 
1. Provide the Department with efficient, 
effective, and economical
11 
services relating to records management, supplies, equipment,
12 
collections, disbursements, building administration and maintenance,
13 
security, and custodial work;
14 
2. Administer personnel programs including selection and 
placement,
15 
development, performance evaluation, employee relations, and
16 
welfare;
17 
3. Supervise and control the operational activities of the Assistant
18 
Secretary heading each of the following units:
19 
i. Financial Management and Internal Audit;
20 
ii. Human Resources, Regional Operations, Assets Management,
21 
and Records and Archives; and
22 
iii. Legal Department and Bids and Awards Committee.
23 
4. Manage internal budgetary and financial matters, including an internal
24 
accounting and auditing system, and data banking; and
25 
5. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned
26 
by the Secretary.
27
28 
b. Office of the Undersecretary for Foreign Employment. The Office of the
29 
Undersecretary for Foreign Employment shall have the following functions:
30 
1. Advise and assist the Secretary in the formulation of the Department's
31 
overall long-term and short-term 
plans and programs on overseas
32 
employment;
12


1 
2. Review and evaluate the progress or status of projects and
2 
accomplishments in relation to set standards, objectives, and
3 
schedules:
4 
3. Undertake program and policy coordination, monitoring and evaluation
5 
of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the
6 
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA);
7 
4. Supervise and control operational activities of one (1) Assistant
8 
Secretary; and
9 
5. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned
10 
by the Secretary.
11
12 
c. Office of the Undersecretary for Assistance to Overseas Filipinos in Distress.
13 
The Office of the Undersecretary for Assistance to Overseas Filipinos in
14 
Distress shall subsume all the functions of the Office of the Undersecretary
15 
for Migrant Workers' Affairs of the DFA and the Social Welfare Attaches Office
16 
(SWATO) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
17 
now operating as the International Social Services Office (ISSO). It shall
18 
exercise the following functions:
19 
1. Provide prompt and appropriate response to global emergencies or
20 
crisis situations affecting OFs, particularly OFWs, and members of their
21 
families left behind:
22 
2. Undertake all repatriation activities, in coordination with the DFA,
23 
Philippine Foreign Service Posts, and other government agencies, in
24 
cases of war, epidemic, disasters or calamities, whether natural or
25 
man-made, amnesties, emergencies, abuse, and other similar events
26 
without prejudice to reimbursement by the responsible principal
27 
employer or recruitment or manning agency:
28 
3. Enforce the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund and Legal Assistance
29 
Fund guidelines, procedures, and criteria for the utilization of the said
30 
fund as provided for under this Act;
13


1 
4. Administer the ATN Fund and the Legal Assistance Fund, and to
2 
authorize disbursements therefrom in accordance with the purpose for
3 
which the fund was set up:
4 
5. Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with other government
5 
agencies and Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the provision of legal
6 
assistance and ATN services utilizing the Fund;
7 
6. Tap the assistance of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, other bar
8 
associations, legal experts on labor, migration, and human rights laws,
9 
reputable law firms, and civil society organizations, to complement
10 
government services and resources to provide legal and other forms of
11 
assistance to OFs in distress and OFWs;
12 
7. Establish a 24/7 Emergency Response and Action Center Unit and
13 
media and social media monitoring center to respond to the
14 
emergency needs of OFs and their famlies;
15 
8. Exercise control and supervision over the Assistant Secretary heading
16 
the following units: (i) Operations: and (ii) Public Assistance Center:
17 
and
18 
9. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned
19 
by the Secretary.
20
21 
d. Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Treaties, International Agreements
22 
and Special Concerns. The Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Treaties,
23 
International Agreements and Special Concerns shall subsume all the
24 
substantive functions of the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) under
25 
the Department of Labor and Employment and all the related functions and
26 
mandate of the Commission on Overseas Filipinos. It shall exercise the
27 
following functions:
28 
1. Monitor the observance and implementation of the Philippines'
29 
obligations and commitments to migration related international
30 
organizations and 
treaties:
14


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
2. Coordinate with the DFA regarding the negotiations of treaties, 
agreements, compacts, and other instruments that are related to labor 
migration:
3. Manage and supervise the ATN Career Corps as created by Section 15 
of this Act in coordination with the DFA;
4. Exercise control and supervision over one (1) Assistant Secretary 
heading the ATN Career Corps Unit;
5. Formulate and implement an integrated program for the promotion of 
the welfare of OFs, and the provision of pre-departure orientation 
seminars and counseling services to emigrants, marriage migrants, au 
pairs, and exchange visitor program participants;
6. Implement programs and services to adequately prepare Filipinos 
migrating to other countries to meet the practical and psychological 
problems attendant to international migration:
7. Act as the Department's advocacy arm and shall execute programs and 
services to raise public awareness on the dangers and indicators of 
illegal recruitment, human trafficking, mail-order-spouse schemes, and 
access to the different government policies and programs in place that 
aim to address these concerns;
8. Serve as a forum for preserving and enhancing the social, economic, 
and cultural ties of OFs with their motherland:
9. Provide liaison services to OFs with appropriate government and 
private agencies in the transaction of business and similar ventures in 
the Philippines; and
10. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned 
by the Secretary.
Sec. 9. Qualifications. - No person shall be appointed as Secretary,
29 
Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the Department unless he is a natural born
30 
citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, of proven integrity
31 
and competence in public administration, and has recognized expertise in
32 
governance involving overseas Filipinos.
15


10
11
12
13
The Undersecretaries shall be members of the Philippine Bar who have been 
engaged in the practice of law for at least five (5) years.
No person involved in the business of recruitment and deployment of 
overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers shall be appointed as Secretary, 
Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the Department. This prohibition shall
8 
likewise apply to relatives of such person involved in the business of recruitment and
9 deployment of overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers up to the fourth 
degree of consanguinity or affinity.
It shall be unlawful for any official or employee of the Department or other 
government agencies involved in the implementation of this Act, or their relatives
14 within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, to engage, directly or indirectly,
15 
in the business of recruitment and deployment of overseas Filipino workers. Upon
16 
conviction, the penalties under Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, shall be
17 
imposed upon them.
18
19 
Sec. 10. Regional offices. - The Department shall establish, operate, and
20 
maintain a regional office and such other lower level offices as may be deemed
21 
necessary by the Secretary in strategic locations in the country in consideration of
22 
existing regional offices of the POEA and OWWA.
23
24 
Sec. 11. Structure and staffing pattern. - The Department shall
25 
determine its organizational structure and create new divisions or units as it may
26 
deem necessary at the national, regional, provincial, and in such other lower levels,
27 
and shall appoint officers and employees of the Department in accordance with Civil
28 
Service laws, rules and regulations. Republic Act No. 6656, or the Government
29 
Reorganization Law shall govern the organization of the Department, and the
30 
reorganization of affected agencies.
31
16


1
2
3
4
5
6 
7
Sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Department shall present its 
staffing pattern to the Department of Budget and Management for approval. This 
staffing pattern shall be implemented effective immediately upon approval but not 
later than the holdover period of all the subsumed agencies of the Department.
Sec. 12. Sectoral and industry task forces. - The Department may 
create sectoral and industry task forces, technical working groups, advisory bodies,
8 
or committees for the furtherance of its objectives. Additional private sector
9 
representatives, such as from the OFWs, the academe, and private industries
10 
directly involved in deployment of OFWs, as well as other national government
11 
agencies, local government units, and government-owned and -controlled
12 
corporations, may be appointed to these Sectoral and Industry Task Forces.
13
14 
Sec. 13. Establishment of Overseas Filipinos Maiasakit Centers. - The
15 
Department, in partnership with other government agencies and local government
16 
units, shall establish the Overseas Filipinos Maiasakit Centers in strategic locations of
17 
the country to ensure prompt, efficient, vital and relevant services to migrant
18 
Filipinos and their families to include acquisition of government clearances and
19 
permits, validation of overseas job offers, reintegration services and ali pertinent
20 
seminars and workshops for all stakeholders.
21
22 
Sec. 14. Assistance to Nationals Fund. - The Legal Assistance Fund
23 
under Section 25 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, as well as the ATN Fund
24 
now administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs shall be transferred to and
25 
administered by the Department. In addition to those guidelines provided for under
26 
existing laws, and in accordance with guidelines to be formulated by the
27 
Department, the ATN Fund shall be used for the provision of ATN services as
28 
provided for under this Act.
29
30 
The ATN Fund guidelines shall be issued by the Secretary in consultation with
31 
relevant stakeholders.
32
17


1 
Sec. 15. ATN Office. - The Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Office of the
2 
Philippine Foreign Service Post shall be the operating arm overseas foreign office of
3 
the Department. The ATN Office shall absorb all the powers, existing functions and
4 
personnel of the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO), existing ATN units of the
5 
DFA and social welfare services in all Philippine embassies and consulates, and shall
6 perform the following functions:
7 
a. Ensure the promotion and protection of the welfare and interests of
8 
Filipino Overseas and assist them in all problems arising out of employer-
9 
employee relationships including violation of work contracts, conditions of
10 
employment such as non-payment of wages and other benefits, illegal
11 
dismissal, and other similar cases;
12 
b. Verity employment contracts and other employment-related documents;
13 
c. Monitor and report to the Secretary on situations and policy developments
14 
in the receiving country that may affect Filipinos Overseas in particular
15 
and Philippine labor policies, in general;
16 
d. Pursue, in coordination with and supervision by the Philippine
17 
Embassy/Consulate, discussion on bilateral and multilateral labor issues
18 
and concerns with the host government, foreign embassies concerned,
19 
and international organizations;
20 
e. Supervise and coordinate the operations of the Migrant Workers and
21 
Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center;
22 
f. Provide social and welfare programs and services to Filipino nationals,
23 
including social assistance, education and training, cultural services,
24 
financial management, reintegration, and entrepreneurial development
25 
services;
26 
g. Provide prompt and appropriate response to global emergencies or crisis
27 
situations affecting Filipino nationals;
28 
h. Manage case of OFWs and other overseas Filipinos in distress needing
29 
psychosocial services, such as victims of trafficking or illegal recruitment,
30 
rape or sexual abuse, maltreatment and other forms of physical or mental
31 
abuse and cases of abandoned or neglected children;
18


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
i. 
Establish and maintain a data bank and documentation of OFWs and their 
families so that appropriate welfare services can be more effectively 
provided;
j. 
Repatriation of distressed Filipino nationals including shipment of remains 
and personal belongings;
k. 
Verification of whereabouts and condition;
l. 
Provide assistance in criminal and immigration cases;
m. Provide assistance to victims of illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in 
Persons;
n. Provide assistance to kidnapping and hostage victims;
0. Conduct prison and hospital visitation, and attend court hearings;
p. 
Provide assistance to detained and/or convicted Filipino nationals, as may 
be appropriate; and
q. 
Perform other functions and responsibilities as may be assigned by the 
Secretary.
The Department shall establish the Assistance-to-Nationals Career Officer
18 
Corps. The qualifications, hiring and selection, continuous training and education,
19 
merit promotion system, and rotation system for deployment and recall of ATN
20 
Officers shall also be established by the Department, in accordance with existing civil
21 
service rules and regulations.
22
23 
ATN Officers in foreign posts shall be designated as service attaches and shall
24 
have the following duties and responsibilities:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
a. 
Repatriation of distressed and undocumented Filipinos;
b. 
Assistance to victims of natural and man-made disasters;
c. 
Monitoring of court cases of Filipinos;
d. 
Attending to police cases involving Filipinos such as but not limited to
sexual 
assault, theft/robbery, drug use/drug trafficking,
fraud/falsification/forgery, murder/homicide, trafficking in persons, etc.;
e. 
Prison visitation including counselling and provision of consular services;
19


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
f. 
Coordination with next-of-kin or relatives on police and immigration 
cases; and
g. 
Attending to death of Filipinos including repatriation of remains or 
personal belongings and Issuance of mortuary certificate.
ATN Officers In the Central Office shall have the following duties and 
responsibilities:
a. Receive requests for assistance from the next-of-kin of overseas Filipinos 
in distress or the overseas Filipinos themselves:
b. Refer requests to the concerned Foreign Service Post;
c. Endorse the disbursement from the ATN Fund and the Legal Assistance 
Fund, subject to rules and regulations for such disbursement;
d. In cases of emergency situations, monitor the situation abroad through 
reports from the Philippine Embassies and Consulates: and
e. Provide information and updates to interested parties and government 
agencies.
The deployment and performance of the ATN Career Officer Corps members
19 to Philippine Foreign Service Post shall be governed by the Philippine Foreign Service
20 Act of 1991, Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the Vienna Convention on
21 
Diplomatic Relations and shall also be subject to the rules and regulations imposed
22 
by the receiving State.
23
24 
There shall be an ATN Head with an assimilated diplomatic rank to be
25 
appointed by the Secretary of the Department.
26
27 
All regional offices of the OWWA shall be located, as much as practicable,
28 
beside the regional office of the Department for foreign posts. The OWWA shall be
29 
under the ATN Office to consolidate the migration team of the Foreign Service and
30 will be under supervision of the ATN Head.
31
20


1 
Sec. 16. Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource
2 Center (MWOFRC). - The Migrant Workers and other Overseas Filipinos Resource
3 
Center (MWOFRC) shall be under the Department and shall provide the following
4 services:
5 
a. Temporary shelter to distressed OFWs;
6 
b. Counselling and legal services;
7 
c. Welfare assistance Including the procurement of medical and
8 
hospitalization services;
9 
d. Information, advisory programs to promote social integration such as
10 
post-arrival orientation, settlement and community networking services
11 
and activities for social interaction;
12 
e. Registration of irregular and undocumented workers;
13 
f. Human resource development, such as training and skills upgrading;
14 
g. Gender-sensitive programs and activities to assist particular needs of
15 
migrant workers;
16 
h. Orientation program for returning workers and other migrants;
17 
i. Monitoring of the daily situation, circumstances and activities affecting
18 
migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos;
19 
j. Ensuring that labor and social welfare laws in the receiving country are
20 
fairly applied to migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos; and
21 
k. Conciliation of disputes arising from employer-employee relationship.
22
23 
The following personnel may be assigned to the Center:
24 
a. Psychologists, Social Workers, and a Shari'a or Human Rights Lawyer, in
25 
highly problematic countries as categorized by the DFA and the Department
26 
and where there is a concentration of Filipino migrant workers;
27 
b. Individual volunteers and representatives from bona fide non-government
28 
organizations from the receiving countries, if available and necessary as
29 
determined by the ATN Head, in consultation with the Chief of Mission;
30 
c. Public Relations Officer or Case Officer conversant, orally and in writing, with
31 
the local language, laws, customs and practices; and
21


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
d. Legal Officers and such other professionals deemed necessary by the 
Secretary.
The ATN Head shall supervise and coordinate the day-to-day operations and 
activities of the Center and shall keep the Chief of Mission informed and updated on 
all matters affecting it at least quarterly through a written report addressed to the 
Chief of Mission.
Sec. 17. One country-team approach. - Under the one country-team 
approach, all officers, representatives, and personnel of the Philippine government
10 
posted abroad regardless of their mother agencies shall, on a per country basis, act
11 
as one country-team with a mission under the leadership of the Ambassador or the
12 
Consul General. In this regard, the Ambassador or the Consul General acting as
13 
Head of Post, may recommend to the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary
14 of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the recall of officers, representatives, and
15 
personnel of the Philippine government posted abroad for acts inimical to the
16 
national interest such as the failure to provide the necessary services to protect the
17 
rights of overseas Filipinos.
18
19 
Sec. 18. Management information system. - The Department shall
20 
establish, in cooperation with other government agencies concerned, a computer-
21 
based management information system on overseas Filipinos to support its
22 
operations and as well as to have a source of relevant data for programs and policy
23 
formulation. Each office of the Department may likewise create and maintain its own
24 
relevant database, as it deems necessary, provided, that these are integrated into
25 
the Department's main management information system.
26
27 
Sec. 19. Transfer of agencies and functions. - The following agencies
28 
are hereby merged and transferred to the Department, and their powers and
29 
functions subsumed to the Department which shall assume and perform all their
30 
powers and functions:
31 
a. The Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (OUMWA) of the
32 
Department of Foreign Affairs as provided for under Republic Act No. 8042,
22


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
as amended, to include all present and previous units in the Department of 
Foreign Affairs performing functions mandated by the said law;
b. The Commission on Overseas Filipinos (CFO);
c. All Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) under the Department of Labor 
and Employment;
d. The International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) under the Department of Labor 
and Employment; and
e. The Social Welfare Attaches Office (SWATO) under the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development, now operating as the International Social Services 
Office (ISSO).
Sec. 20. Attached agencies. - The Philippine Overseas Employment
13 
Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration shall be
14 
attached to the Department.
15
16 
The Department shall exercise administrative supervision over the POEA
17 
created under Executive Order 247 Series of 1987 and Republic Act No. 8042, as
18 
amended. The POEA shall continue to function in accordance with its charter.
19
20 
The Department shall exercise administrative supervision over the OWWA
21 
created under Republic Act No. 10801 as an attached agency for purposes of policy
22 
and program coordination, monitoring and evaluation. The OWWA shall continue to
23 
function in accordance with its charter. The Secretary shall be added to the OWWA
24 
Board of Trustees and shall act as Chairperson of the Board. The DOLE Secretary
25 
shall remain as member of the Board.
26
27 
Five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act. the Department shall conduct a
28 
thorough review of the administration, operations, and functions of the POEA and
29 
OWWA as attached agencies of the Department. From Its evaluation, the
30 
Department may propose and recommend the necessary changes, legislative or
31 
administrative, to fulfill its mandate and the objectives of this Act.
32
23


1 
Sec. 21. Reorganization and other transitory provisions. - In the
2 transfer of functions of affected agencies under this Act, the following rules shall
3 
apply:
4 
a. Any transfer of entities shall include the functions, appropriations, funds,
5 
records, equipment, facilities, other properties, assets, and liabilities of the
6 
transferred entity as well as the personnel thereof as may be necessary, who
7 
shall, in a holdover capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and
8 
responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits, unless in
9 
the meantime they are separated from government service pursuant to
10 
existing laws. Those personnel from the transferred entity whose positions
11 
are not included in the new position structure and staffing pattern approved
12 
by the Secretary or who are not reappointed shall be entitled to the benefits
13 
provided in the second paragraph of Section 22 hereof:
14 
b. Any transfer of functions which results in the subsuming of the entity that has
15 
exercised such transferred functions shall include, as may be necessary to the
16 
proper discharge of the transferred functions, the appropriations, funds,
17 
records, equipment, facilities, other assets, and personnel of the entity from
18 
which such functions have been transferred. The remaining appropriations
19 
and funds shall revert to the General Fund and the remaining records,
20 
equipment, facilities, and other assets shall be allocated to such appropriate
21 
units as the Secretary shall determine, or otherwise shall be disposed of, in
22 
accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations. The liabilities, if any, of
23 
the subsumed entity shall be treated likewise in accordance with pertinent
24 
laws, rules and regulations. Incumbents of the subsumed entity shall, in a
25 
holdover capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and
26 
responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits unless in
27 
the meantime they are separated from government service, pursuant to
28 
existing laws. Any such personnel whose position is not included in the new
29 
position structure and staffing pattern approved by the Secretary or who is
30 
not reappointed shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 22
31 
hereof; and
24


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Any transfer of functions which does not result in the subsuming of the entity 
that has exercised such transferred functions shall include the appropriations, 
funds, records, equipment, facilities, other assets as well as the personnel of 
the entity from which such functions have been transferred that are 
necessary to the proper discharge of such transferred functions. The 
liabilities, if any, which have been incurred in connection with the discharge 
of the transferred functions, shall be allocated in accordance with pertinent 
laws, rules and regulations. Such personnel shall, in a holdover capacity, 
continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive 
the corresponding salaries and benefits unless in the meantime they are 
separated from government service pursuant to existing laws. Any such 
personnel whose position is not included in the new position structure and 
staffing pattern approved by the Secretary or who is not reappointed shall be 
entitled to the benefits under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Sec. 22. Absorption, separation, and retirement from service. - The
17 
existing employees of the transferred and subsumed agencies under this Act shall
18 
enjoy security of tenure and shall be absorbed by the Department, in accordance
19 
with their staffing patterns and the selection process as prescribed under Republic
20 
Act. No. 6656 or the Government Reorganization Law.
21
22 
Employees who are affected by the creation of the Department and are
23 
separated from service within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act as a
24 
result of the organization and reorganization under this Act shall receive separation
25 
benefits under Republic Act No. 6656, or the Government Reorganization Law, and
26 
other applicable laws, rules and regulations: Provided, That those who are qualified
27 to retire and receive retirement benefits under existing retirement laws shall be
28 
allowed to retire. Detailed, transferred, or seconded career personnel to the
29 
Department from transferred or subsumed entities or any government entity shall
30 
neither lose seniority in rank or status, nor suffer any diminution of their salaries,
31 
allowances, or other privileges and entitlements.
32
25


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
Employees who are separated from service within six (6) months from the 
effectivity of this Act as a result of the organization and reorganization under this Act 
shall also receive additional separation incentives, as follows:
a) Fifty percent (50%) of the actual monthly basic saiary for every year of 
service, for those who have rendered iess than 11 years of service;
b) Seventy five percent (75%) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year 
of service computed starting from the 1st year, for those who have rendered 
11 to less than 21 years of service:
c) The actuai monthiy basic salary for every year of service, computed starting 
from the 1st year, for those who have rendered 21 to iess than 31 years of 
service: and
d) One hundred twenty five percent (125%) of the actuai monthiy basic salary 
for every year of service, computed starting from the 1st year, for those who 
have rendered 31 years of service and above.
Provided, That personnel who will be separated from the service as a resuit of
18 
the rationaiization of the existing offices and will avail themselves of the incentives
19 
shall not be reemployed in any agency of the Executive Branch for a period of five
20 
(5) years, except as a teaching or medical staff in educationai institutions and
21 
hospitals, respectively: Provided, further. That retired or separated personnel who
22 
are reemployed within the prohibited period shaii refund the separation incentives
23 
received on a pro-rated basis: Provided, finaiiy. That retired or separated personnei
24 who wiii undertake consultancy services for the government shaii be governed by RA
25 
No. 6713 ( Code of Conduct and Ethicai Standards for Pubiic Officiais and
26 
Employees).
27
28 
For purposes of the additional separation incentives, the actual monthly basic
29 
saiary shaii refer to the salary of the affected personnel as of the date of approval of
30 the Department's organizational structure and staffing pattern by the DBM.
31
26


1 
Sec. 23. Transition period. - The transfer of functions, assets, funds,
2 
equipment, properties, transactions, and personnei of the affected agencies, and the
3 
formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and
4 
revised budget of the Department, shall be completed within six (6) months from
5 the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That within this period, the existing personnel of
6 
all subsumed entities shall continue to assume their posts on holdover capacities
7 
until new appointments or a new staffing pattern shall have been issued: Provided,
8 further. That after the organization and rationalization process, the Department, in
9 coordination with the DBM, shall determine and create new positions, the funding
10 
requirements of which shall not exceed the equivalent cost of the positions
11 
subsumed.
12
13 
Sec. 24. Congressionai Oversight Committee. - There shall be created a
14 
Congressional Oversight Committee on Overseas Filipinos to monitor and oversee
15 
the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
16
17 
The Committee shall be composed of six (6) members from the Senate and
18 
six (6) members from the House of Representatives with the Chairpersons of the
19 
Committees on Government Reorganization and Overseas Workers Affairs of the
20 
House of Representatives and Committee on Labor, Employment and Human
21 
Resources Development of the Senate as Co-chairpersons of this Committee. The
22 
other members from each Chamber are to be designated by the Senate President
23 
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The minority shall be
24 
entitled to pro rata representation but shall have at least two (2) representatives
25 
from each Chamber.
26
27 
Sec. 25. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial
28 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriations of
29 the agencies, entities, divisions, sections or bodies subsumed or transferred to the
30 
Department by virtue of this Act. Thereafter, such sums, as may be necessary for its
31 
continued implementation, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
32 
Act.
27


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
Sec. 26. Mandatory review. - Ten (10) years after the effectivity of this 
Act, or as the need arises, the Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a 
systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as the 
performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies, for purposes 
of determining remedial legislation.
Ten (10) years from the creation of this Department, the Congressional 
Oversight Committee may recommend to abolish the Department should
10 
circumstances prove that there is no more need for its existence. The relevance and
11 
practicality of maintaining the Department shall be reviewed every five (5) years
12 
after the ten (10) year mandatory review period.
13
14 
Sec. 27. Implementing rules and regulations. - The Department of
15 
Overseas Filipinos, in coordination with the Department of Finance, the Department
16 
of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Budget Management, the Department of Labor
17 
and Employment, the Civil Service Commission, the National Economic and
18 
Development Authority, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Office of the
19 
Presidential Adviser on OFWs (OPA-OFW), shall, within sixty (60) days after the
20 
effectivity of this Act, promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to implement
21 
this Act.
22
23 
Sec. 28. Separability clause. - Should any provision of this Act or part
24 thereof be 
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected
25 
thereby shall remain valid and effective.
26
27 
Sec. 29. Repealing clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and
28 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
29 
modified accordingly.
30
28


1 
Sec. 30. Effectivity. - this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
complete publication in the Official Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of
3 
general circulation.
Approved,
29