HOUSE Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA) approved today the unnumbered substitute bill, which consolidates House Bill Numbers 370 and 8560, which are both authored by OFW Party List Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
The bill seeks to institutionalize mechanisms for the protection of minor children whose parents are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) employed abroad.
The proposed measure outlines mechanisms to provide temporary guardianship, ensuring the safety and well-being of children during the absence of their OFW-parents. Through the system, absentee parents will have the ability to designate trusted individuals as temporary guardians, facilitating regular communication, and enabling the continued provision of necessary emotional and financial support to their children.
To ensure the effectiveness of the system, the bill mandates close monitoring by barangay officials and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This provision aims to assess the children’s well-being, detect any signs of dysfunction or threats they may face, and report such concerns to relevant authorities for timely and appropriate interventions. Their role is to ensure that all parties fulfill their responsibilities diligently, with appropriate sanctions in cases of neglect or non-compliance.
“The children of our OFWs unfortunately bear the brunt of labor migration. Not only do they suffer from the social costs of labor migration, but are also the likely victims of abuse, neglect, or negligence as we have seen in the growing crimes committed against the children of our OFWs who are left in the care of non-parents. These highlight the need for State to step up in our protection of these children through our policies and through initiatives on the ground.”, said Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
Key enhancements to the substitute bill include the expanded coverage of protection for children of majority age and modifications to the sanctions imposed on OFW-parents or temporary guardians. The revised bill also introduces a range of sanctions proportional to the nature and severity of neglect or misconduct, with a focus on ensuring the well-being and safety of the children involved.
To strike a balance between rewarding compliance while maintaining the primary focus on the children’s well-being and best interests, the substitute bill also provides for incentives to parents and temporary guardians to abide by the provisions of the law. They are also intended to foster a positive approach and promote cooperation and open communication between the various actors that would redound to the children’s benefits.
The substitute bill has now been referred to the Committee on Appropriations in order to finalize the bill at the committee level.
