The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated P15.2 billion to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the budget agency said in a statement yesterday.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the administration steadfastly recognizes the contribution of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the economy.
“Our OFWs are our modern day heroes. We honor their sacrifices, as they work hard to uplift the lives of their families and to enhance our country’s economy through their remittances,” Pangandaman said.
“We know and feel the difficulties our kababayans face by being far from their loved ones and we continue to ensure that they will be afforded with the appropriate support they need,” she added.
Out of the said amount, P3.5 billion is earmarked for the DMW’s office of the secretary, of which 77 percent or P2.7 billion goes to the Overseas Employment and Welfare Program.
Pursuant to Section 20 of Republic Act No. 11641 or the Migrant Workers Act, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is mandated as an attached agency of the DMW.
As such, the DBM said under the 2023 NEP, a budget allocation amounting to P10.039 billion is earmarked for the Emergency Repatriation Program of OWWA. This covers 367,287 OFWs to this day, the DBM said.
The program provides assistance in bringing back distressed OFWs and human remains to the country. Workers are provided with proper help, temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing and transport services to their respective localities.
Other programs included in the DMW budget allocation for 2023 are the Overseas Employment Regulatory Program, Labor Migration Policy and International Cooperation Program, Maritime Research and Skills Competency Program, and Provision for OFW Hospital and Diagnostic Center under Overseas Employment and Welfare Program, among others. – Angela Celis
