OFWs BAT FOR CREATION OF OWN DEPARTMENT

A group of ten former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) held a prayer rally in front of the Senate in Pasay City for the approval and creation of a Department of OFW (DOFW).

“Umpisa na ito ng laban para sa OFW sector. Natinag na ang mga Senador sa ating mga postings sa ating araw-araw na pangungulit...bawa’t post ng mga senador... sa Facebook tinatapatan natin ng mga posters...,” said Engr. Francisco “Boy” Naval, one of the organizers.

"This is the start of the fight for the OFW sector. The senators have been compelled by our Facebook postings in our daily entreaties. Every post by the Senators on FB are answered by our posters."

The group representing retired and active OFWs issued a wish list signed by Mohammad Eli Mua, Chairman of the OFW Veterans Association and Chief Design Engineer at SAFAD Business Consulting & FMF Factory, based in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia.

The group’s wish list includes:

1. We pray for and wish a Department of OFW that will manage issues and the welfare of OFWs under a “one stop, one command, one process” system and one that is shielded from exploitation and abuses in the future.

2. The Department shall be managed by OFWs and give utmost authority to ex-OFWs in its staffing and employment plans, considering that OFWs have the actual experience, first-hand observations and knowledge of the OFWs as well as solutions to their problems.

3. The Department shall work for the improvement of the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) act so that it will allow voting by mail or electronic systems, to increase exponentially the OFW votes that will include those of seamen, etc.

4. The Department (when managed by OFWs ) can also function as a “Bridge that will attract foreign investments, OFW employers’ investments & joint business ventures “ considering that the OFWs are our “Cultural Economic Ambassadors” who are trusted friends and employees of thousands of tycoons.

5. The Department shall work for the establishment of an OFW Universal Bank , managed by OFW bankers, capitalized with OFW shares, local and foreign investors’ bonds and employers’ contribution, with branches in every province, city, and selected overseas locations; it will offer a one stop, one system for the payment of fees for passports, OEC, SSS, Pag-Ibig, Philhealth, licenses, remittances as well as donations, and will manage OFW savings and attract and advise foreign investors and businessmen.

This bank could generate hundred billions in investment and spur economic activities, especially among retired and Filipino migrants in the West.

6. The Department shall establish OFW regional and provincial hospitals with branches in selected locations overseas to service OFW Insurance abroad funded by OFW shares and OFW employers and foreign partners, considering that it will have captive customers in the 30 million strong OFW sector, including 10 million OFWs abroad and 20 million families of ex-OFWs.

There are also returning retired OFWs who are sickly and mostly in need of hospitalization for various ailments, including kidney dialysis.

7. The Department shall create a Comprehensive One-Stop Social Security System under an All-in-One Payment, One Process System, incorporating SSS, Pag-Ibig, Philhealth, Pension & Insurance Plans (all in one). We have summarized this system in a well-crafted presentation called POWERS ( Philippine Overseas Workers Economic Reform Systems) that has been sent to the Senators through e-mail.

8. The Department shall create an extra “OFW Kapuso Legal Defense Fund”, a 50-billion-peso fund for the defense of OFWs in jails and facing legal problems, to be funded jointly by OFW donations, international charitable foundations and legal advocates, plus OFW employers and philanthropic donations, to be entrusted at the disposal of the Philippine President for use in times of calamities affecting OFWs or their families.

9. The Department shall insure that POLO officials assigned to Arab countries speak Arabic with legal education in sharia plus a medico-legal officer to safeguard medical reports and post-mortem findings related to OFW casualties and victims of foul play.

10. The Department shall insure that returning OFWs shall have a pension and insurance coverage, especially those who have served 10 years, to depend on in times of need.

Another rally has been scheduled for Dec. 7, 2020.