Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._370

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO
FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The goodbyes that are said with tears in the eyes, the long embrace made one last
time before yearly visits turn into reunions that are few and far between, the backs
wheeling suitcases turned against weeping kids who have no idea how long and painful
the separation would be. These are scenes in airports as modern-day heroes fulfill the
role they have to play in ensuring that they have food on the table and roof above the
heads of their loved ones.

We know of the long letters penned in cramped living quarters, sealed with a kiss
of longing. Many of us have seen the face of this heroism. Mothers and fathers inching
their way to the Immigration Desks of airports while pretending not to hear the loud
cries of children begging not to be left behind. Of panganays who need to leave home so
they could send their siblings to school if only to secure a better future for them. This is
the side of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) tale that we are most aware of.

We forget the other end of the bargain — the families left behind who, while
undoubtedly having their lives improve one way or another, are left to fend for
themselves and adjust to the change of having their loved one be separated from them.
There is a cost to leaving them behind — one that sometimes is too hefty. Gaps widen
between parents and children who only get to see each other once every few years; of
spouses living with the fear of being widowed in an instant due to the risks of
employment.

And they are who this measure seeks to give refuge to. For the material wealth
that OFWs offer their families, also have concomitant effects on the families they shower
with comfort. This bill proposes to establish OFW Family Centers which will provide
welfare assistance and counseling to the families of OFWs.

For families who are nearing lifetime reunification, this bill seeks provide venue
and programs for the interaction of OFWs and their families.


Households left behind, will not be left behind. This proposed measure will
ensure that they will not be left alone as they fight the monsters of separation. We must
see to it that the sacrifices that OFWs make will not be the ultimate cost of the
destruction of their families, who they are working hard for.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. -

MARI: “DEL MAR’ \GSINO



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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

70

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARISSA “DEL MAR” P.
MAGSINO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO
FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS

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

Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title.—This Act shall be known as the "Left-Behind Household
of OFWs Act.”

Sec.2. Declaration of Policy.— It is declared policy of the State to strengthen
the solidarity of the family and actively promote its total development. The State
recognizes the Filipino Family as the foundation of the nation.

Towards this end, the Administrator shall take such actions as are necessary to
the maximum extent practicable, to sustain harmony of the family 10 and prepare

families for future reintegration of OFWs.
Sec.3. Definition of Terms.— For purposes of this Act, the term:

(A)"Administration" means the Overseas Workers and
WelfareAdministration or "OWWA";

(B) "Administrator" means the Administrator of OWWA;

(C)"Center" means the Overseas Filipino Workers Family Center;


Sowr)sa

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(D) "Left-Behind Household” means families left behind by Overseas
Filipino Workers to work abroad; and

(E) "Overseas Filipino Worker" or "OFW" means any Filipino citizen who
is temporarily working in any country outside the Philippines.
Sec, 4. OFW Family Centers. —

(A) Centers. - The Administrator shall establish OFW Family Centers
nationwide, using the facilities of its regional offices, or any of the

regional offices of the Philippine Overseas Employment
Administration and the Department of Social and Welfare
Development. The purpose of each Center is —
(a) To provide welfare assistance and counseling serves to the
families of OFWs;
(2) To serve as coordinating office to non-government organizations
and associations that cater to the plight of OFWs; and

(3) To serve as a link of left-behind households to various services
and/or agencies of the government on overseas employment.
(B) Location of Centers. - Each Center shall be strategically located in
every municipality where there is a large population of families who have
relative working abroad.

(C) Jurisdiction. - The responsibilities of each Center shall be centered on the

welfare of left-behind families of OFWs.

Sec. 5. Left-Behind Household Organizations. - OWWA shall facilitate the
establishment of organizations or support groups of families left behind by migrant
workers. It shall also provide a venue for the interaction of members of families of
migrant workers.

Sec. 6. Report to Congress. - Three (3) years from the passage of the
provisions of this Act, the OWWA shall report to Congress the number of cases


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brought to the various Centers and the intervention provided. A yearly
statistical report shall be submitted to the Department of Labor and Employment
and other concerned agencies.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such sums as
may be necessary are hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National
Treasury.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,