MAGSASAGAWA ng public consultation at pagdinig ang House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs upang pag-usapan ang mga panukala na susuporta sa mga programa ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. para sa mga overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

Ayon kay Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron S. Salo, chairman ng komite, nakatanggap siya ng direktiba mula kay Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez na magpatuloy sa pagtatrabaho kahit na walang sesyon ang Kongreso upang talakayin ang mga panukala na makapagbibigay ng benepisyo sa mga OFW.

“Upon the instruction of Speaker Romualdez, my panel will be holding a comprehensive public consultations and hearing in order to gather input and insights from various stakeholders in the development of robust plans and policies to help the Marcos administration better support returning OFWs,” ani Salo.

“This is a testament to the genuine desire of the House of Representatives to effectively fulfill its mandate and responsibility to the Filipino people amid all the political noise. We have a job to do and we will not be distracted in our efforts of promoting the welfare of our OFWs,” dagdag pa nito.

Kasalukuyang naka-recess ang sesyon ng Kamara na nagsimula noong Setyembre 28. Magbabalik ang sesyon sa Nobyembre 6.

Binigyan ni Speaker Romualdez ng otorisasyon ang lahat ng komite na magsagawa ng briefing at pagdinig kahit na walang sesyon.

“This directive is made more relevant in light of the repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. As our brave OFWs return to our homeland, often after enduring various challenges abroad, we believe it is our duty to provide them with comprehensive support and assistance,” paliwanag ni Salo.

Ayon kay Salo pag-aaralan ng kanyang komite ang mga panukala na makakatulong sa mga OFW upang maging madali ang kanilang muling pananatili sa bansa.

“We will begin by conducting a briefing with the relevant government agencies such as the DMW, OWWA, DFA, and TESDA, among others, on the existing government assistance to OFWs. From there, we will formulate additional policies and make existing ones more efficient and effective,” sabi ni Salo.

Kasama umano sa pag-aaralan ng komite ang paglikha ng pension system para sa mga OFW na babayaran ng employer at OFW gayundin ang pagbibigay ng retraining sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at mga katulad na programa ng gobyerno.

“I consider a pension system for OFWs as a lasting solution to the main concerns/needs of OFWs. This will provide income security and additional social protection for our modern day heroes,” paliwanag ni Salo.

“As heroes of modern times, our OFWs deserve more from their government. As such, we will also be looking at legislation that will extend financial aid and scholarship programs for their dependents, for their families,” sabi pa ni Salo.

“We will do our best to pass more legislation that will benefit our OFWs. And the leadership of Speaker Romualdez is committed to making this happen to support the Marcos administration’s efforts in helping our OFWs,” dagdag pa ng mambabatas.