OFW Party List Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino appealed for a bigger budget for Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for FY 2024.
The party list solon said the current total budget of the DMW for 2023 is roughly P4.56 billion. However, its proposed budget for 2024 has been reduced to about P3.56 billion or by 20%.
“The budget cut is unfortunate because it could result to less services and programs for our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially at this point that DMW is about to end the transition period and establish its regular operations. I appeal to my colleagues in Congress to increase DMW’s budget to a level even bigger than its current budget,” said Magsino.
Back in February 2023, the OFW Party List urged the member-agencies of the Development Budget Coordinating Council (DBCC) to prioritize government funding of programs for OFWs through sufficient budget of DMW. In said DBCC briefing during the Committee on Appropriations meeting, the party list solon underscored the significance of OFW remittances to the national economy. In 2022, OFWs remitted a total of USD 36.136 Billion. Remittances of OFWs during the pandemic also helped buoy the Philippine economy during global economic downturn.
“Nakakalungkot lang na sa pagliit ng budget ng DMW, malilimitahan din ang programa ng DMW para sa ating mga OFWs. Kung sino pa ang malaki ang kontribusyon sa ating ekonomiya, sila pa itong kukulangin sa kalinga at proteksyon ng pamahalaan,” said Magsino.
Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino also stressed DMW’s crucial role in the fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking due to its functions to investigate, initiate legal actions, and assist in the prosecution of illegal recruitment and human trafficking cases.
“I would like to strongly recommend to the Department to be more aggressive, and to put more resources whenever possible, in the execution of these functions in the campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking. It is the most important service and protection that we can extend to our OFWs with respect to their right to life and liberty,” said Magsino.
The lone representative for the OFW sector also posed questions regarding DMW’s reintegration program. Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino urged DMW to consider establishing a database of returning OFWs and their specialized skills. She also recommended the implementation of a referral system for returnee-OFWs based on their skills, thus promoting meaningful employment and partnerships.
“Assistance in creating value networks for OFWs is equally important and can prove to be beneficial in the long-run. A database and referral system that matches OFW returnees with investors and businesses based on their specific expertise could greatly streamline job placements and benefit both parties. Para rin patuloy ang kanilang pagtatrabaho at hindi mahirapan ang ating mga OFWs sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagkakakitaan pagbalik dito sa Pinas,” said Magsino.
