The national government (NG) has allocated P15.2 billion for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
DBM said of the 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. This also includes P1.2-billion AKSYON Fund pursuant to Republic Act No. 11641, which also placed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under the newly created DMW.
“Our OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] 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,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
As such, under the 2023 NEP, a budget allocation amounting to P10.039 billion is earmarked for the Emergency Repatriation Program of OWWA. This covers a number of 367,287 OFWs to this day.
The program also provides assistance in bringing back distressed OFWs and remains of OFWs who expire in other countries back to the homeland. OFWs are provided with adequate help, temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home, psychosocial 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 the Overseas Employment and Welfare program among others.
“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.
This is in line with the Marcos administration’s commitment to uphold the welfare of OFWs and ensure the efficient delivery of services and assistance to them.
The budget chief added the DBM is in full support of the President’s advocacy for the betterment of our OFWs’ condition.