HOUSE Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman and AGIMAT Partylist Representative Bryan Revilla on Wednesday expressed support for efforts to make consular services more accessible to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), proposing that Philippine embassies and consular offices in countries with large OFW populations explore ways to operate even on weekends and holidays—or adopt rotational day-off schedules—to better serve Filipino migrants.
Revilla made the call during the organizational meeting of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and committee briefings by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), DFA–Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs (OUMA), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) regarding their mandates and programs for OFWs and their families.
The Partylist representative pointed out that many OFWs – particularly in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, have limited opportunities to visit Philippine embassies because their only free time often falls on weekends or holidays. He also stressed that each country has unique needs depending on the size and density of its OFW population. He emphasized that many overseas workers are under no work, no pay arrangements, which means they lose a portion of their income whenever they take time off to process documents or seek assistance.
“Karamihan sa mga OFWs, lalo na sa Middle East, isang araw lang ang day-off—madalas pa weekend o holiday. Kaya kung sarado ang embahada o konsulado, wala silang pagkakataon makakuha ng serbisyo,” Revilla said.
“Kaya nananawagan tayo sa DFA: magpatupad ng rotational day-off system para bukas pa rin ang mga opisina kahit weekends o holidays, lalo na sa mga bansang maraming Pilipino. Bawat bansa may kanya-kanyang pangangailangan, at dapat tugunan ito,” he added.
Revilla said this setup will not only ease long queues but also ensure timely access to vital consular services such as passport renewals, notarial services, and assistance for Filipinos in distress.
“Simple lang ang punto natin: kung ang mga OFWs ay nagtatrabaho araw-araw para sa pamilya nila, dapat laging bukas din ang gobyerno para sa kanila,” he said.
Puwedeng irotate and day off ng staff para tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo. Ang mahalaga, may mahihingan ng tulong ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Revilla emphasized that while the DFA and DMW are expanding digital services, physical and on-site accessibility remains essential for urgent transactions and emergencies.
“Online systems help a lot, pero hindi lahat ng serbisyo puwedeng virtual. ‘Yung may problema sa employer, passport, o dokumento—kailangan nila ng taong kausap, hindi link lang,” Revilla said.
He vowed to coordinate with concerned agencies to review current practices and propose legislation ensuring more accessible and responsive consular services for OFWs worldwide.
