TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
SENATE
208
25 JUL -7 1^1 S8
Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa
AN ACT
ENHANCING THE FINANCIAL LITERACY OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS 
(OFWs), AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on September 13, 2024 that 
about 2.16 miliion Filipinos worked abroad from April to September 2023. These 
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are the country's modern-day heroes. They not oniy 
boost the Phiiippines' economy through remittances but are figures of resilience. They 
endure significant personal sacrifices whiie working under horrible working conditions 
to support their famiiies back home.
With their hard-earned income, OFWs are seen as attractive targets by 
scammers and frauduient schemes. OFWs are particularly at risk due to their 
significant earnings and frequent internet use to find financial opportunities, often 
leading them to become prime targets for scammers.1
Last April 23, 2025, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) issued a 
warning to OFWs urging them to be vigilant against loan scams. Since then DMW has 
ramped up its efforts to protect OFWs from failing victim to lending financing
companies proiiferating online.2
1 https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/607233/ofws-teachers-targeted-by-loan-scams-sec-cebu-warns
2 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1248596


As stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the responsibility and duty of 
the State to ensure that the rights of Filipino workers are protected and their welfare 
promoted, wherever they maybe. This mandate extends to our OFWs.
To give protection to our OFWs, this bill aims to safeguard their financial well­
being by mandating free and accessible financial literacy training. The proposed 
measure aims to empower OFWs with the knowiedge and toois to make informed 
financial decisions and avoid financial exploitation. It also promotes responsible 
financial behavior that can lead to a more financially secure future for them and their
families.
Let this bill be part of the government commitment to protect the rights and 
promote the welfare of OFWs—not just while they are abroad, but also in securing 
their iong-term economic well-being.
For the above reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RONALD"BA
ELA ROSA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
25 JUL-7
58
SENATE 
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa
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AN ACT
enhancing the financial literacy of overseas fiupino workers
(OFWS), AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Represehtatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "OFWs Financial Literacy 
Enhancement Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the valuable contributions 
of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the national economy through their foreign 
exchange remittances. As such the State shall take appropriate measures to protect 
and ensure OFWs' financial and economic well-being by promoting and providing 
mandatory financial literacy programs that will educate, train and provide them with 
necessary knowledge and skills to protect their earnings, resources, investments, 
remittances and to manage their debts, credits and other financial transactions.
Sec. 3. Mandatory Financial Literacy Training Seminar. - All OFWs shall undergo 
mandatory financial literacy orientation seminars, which shall be an integral part of 
the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). An OFW who enters a new contract 
shall likewise be required to undergo Post-Arrival Training Seminars (PATS) on 
financial literacy within a reasonable time from their arrival in the country of
destination.
Financial literacy trainings may also be incorporated into Pre-Migration 
Orientation Seminars (PMOS), OFW family and children's circles learning sessions, and


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other training programs under the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other 
relevant agencies mandated to protect the welfare of OFWs. Furthermore, to ensure 
a holistic approach to financial management within OFW households, financial literacy 
training shall likewise be extended to the immediate family members and dependents 
of OFWs in the Philippines, who are involved in the management of remittances and 
family finances, through relevant learning sessions or online modules.
sec. 4. Participating Agendas. - The PDOS and PATS shall be primarily 
conducted by the DMW, as the lead agency, in coordination with the Department of 
Finance (DOF), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and 
accredited PDOS providers across the country, including the embassies or consulates, 
in the country of destination.
As lead agency, the DMW, in coordination with DOF, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 
OWWA, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is tasked to;
1. Formulate training modules on financial literacy, which shall be regularly 
reviewed and updated annually to ensure their relevance, accuracy, and 
effectiveness in addressing evolving financial landscapes, new products, and
emerging scams;
2. Initiate and conduct training programs on financial management and 
responsibility;
3. Apprise OFWs on, among others, the advantages and benefits of financial 
opportunities;
4. Ensure the accessibility of qualified online financial and economic advisors 
and/or counselors; and
5. Disseminate knowledge-expanding activities that promote financial literacy 
among OFWs and their dependents.
The DMW, in coordination with the aforementioned agencies, shall establish 
and maintain a centralized online portal or platform readily accessible to OFWs and 
their dependents, which shall serve as a comprehensive hub for verified financial 
literacy modules, government advisories, legitimate investment opportunities, and a 
directory of accredited financial advisors and relevant support services.


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Sec. 5. Free Financial Literacy Training Programs. - Training programs
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undertaken under this Act shall be free of charge.
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The DMW, in coordination with the relevant participating agencies, shall
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educate OFWs on how to protect their earnings, savings, and investments, with
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emphasis on how to prioritize savings, manage their income and debts, and use their
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remittances for productive and sustainable purposes to futureproof their hard-earned
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money.
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Financial literacy programs shall Include lectures and discussions on topics such
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as financial planning, saving and budgeting, debt management, financial products,
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such as stocks, bonds, insurance, mutual funds, digital financial literacy, cyberhygiene,
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data integrity, fraud and scam prevenUon, financial consumer protection, financial
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patterns, practices and culture of the country of destination, government-backed
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investment opportunities tailored for OFWs and other topics which may be deemed
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relevant by the concerned government agencies.
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Sec. 6. Penalties and Administrative Liabilities. - Any unjustifiable refusal by a
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government official or personnel tasked under this Act to provide financial literacy
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training or seminar shall be punished with a fine of at least Fifty thousand pesos (PHP
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50,000.00) to One hundred thousand pesos (PHP 100,000.00), without prejudice to
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poKible administrative sanctions which may be imposed under exisUng laws, ranging
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from reprimand, suspension from office or dismissal from service, depending on the
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severity and frequency of such inaction or vioiation.
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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Tfie Secretary of the DMW, in
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consultation with the Secretary of the DOF, the Governor of the BSP, the Administrator
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of OWWA, together with the heads of other relevant government agencies, shall within
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ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations
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to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Separability Clause. -If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
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force and effect.
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Sec. 9. Repealing Cause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
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rules, and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed
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or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 10. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Officiai Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,,