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CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S. BILL NO. 
1 
Introduced by SENATOR RALPH G. RECTO 
Explanatory Note 
It cannot be denied that overseas Filipino workers ("OFW") contribute 
immensely to our economy; thus they certainly play an important role in this 
nation's road to economic recovery. 
This proposal seeks to ensure that the State manages an overseas 
employment program coherent not only with national development objectives, but 
also with the ideal of full employment for its citizens. 
The enduring increase of employment mediators worldwide, the present 
state of our country and the rising circumstances that influence the interests of 
migrant workers tend to delay the development of deregulation. In this regard, 
there are various factors that should seriously be considered: the consistent 
increase in the number of our countrymen working overseas, the feminization of 
the OFW sector, the increase of helpless skills overseas, the persistent problems 
of illegal recruitment, welfare cases and recruitment violation as well as the 
apparent indifference of host countries to the idea of entering into bilateral labor 
agreement for the protection of OFWs. 
It is against this backdrop that the prompt approv 
earnestly sought. 


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13TH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
.i‘i.E7/1“1’5 n‘l 
S E N A T E  
S. BILL NO. 
1 
Introduced by SENATOR RALPH G. RECTO 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE REGULATORY FUNCTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE 
OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION (POEA) AMENDING FOR 
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
“MIGRANT WORKERS FILIPINOS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 
1995” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 23, paragraph (b.1) of Republic Act No. 8042, otherwise 
known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995” is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
“(b.1) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - [Subject to 
deregulation and phase-out as provided under Sections 29 and 30 herein, t]The 
Administration shall regulate private sector participation in the recruitment and 
overseas placement of workers by setting up a licensing and registration system. 
It shall also formulate and implement, in coordination with appropriate entities 
concerned, when necessary, a system for promoting and monitoring the 
overseas employment of Filipino workers taking into consideration their welfare 
and the domestic manpower requirements.” 
SEC. 2. 
“[SEC. 29. 
Section 29 of the same law is hereby repealed. 
Comprehensive Deregulation Plan on Recruitment Activities. 
- Pursuant to a progressive policy of deregulation whereby the migration of 
workers becomes strictly a matter between the worker and his foreign employer, 
the DOLE within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, is hereby mandated 
to formulate a five-year comprehensive deregulation plan on recruitment 
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activities taking into account labor market trends, economic conditions of the 
country and emerging circumstances which may affect the welfare of migrant 
workers.] 
SEC. 3. 
"[SEC. 30. 
Section 30 of the same law is hereby repealed. 
Gradual Phase-out of Regulatory Functions. - Within a 
period of five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, the DOLE shall phase-out 
the regulatory functions of the POEA pursuant to the objectives of 
deregulations.]" 
SEC.4. 
All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or 
part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 5. 
This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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