OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino filed today House Bill 7903, which seeks to declare December 18 of every year a special working holiday in the Philippines to be known as the “Overseas Filipino Workers’ Day”.
The United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution on December 18, 1990 on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. It reaffirms the global community’s commitment to promoting a humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including the communities of origin, transit, and destination. In commemoration of the event, December 18 of every year was proclaimed “International Migrants Day”.
The Philippines has around 1.8 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as of latest available data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. OFWs are often called as ‘modern day heroes’ as their financial contribution through remittances offers a lifeline to families and spur local markets as well as the national economy. They have proven to be a source of prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development of our country and even their host countries.
“House Bill 7903 seeks to declare December 18 of every year as a special working holiday in the entire country to be referred to as the “Overseas Filipino Workers’ Day” in recognition of the important contributions of OFWs to nation-building and in respect of their personal sacrifices. It is but fitting to honor them and designate a special day celebrating our OFWs – ang bida ng ating bayan.” said Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
House Bill 7903 also mandates all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations as well as local government units, to encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of their respective offices or establishments to celebrate ‘Overseas Filipino Workers’ Day’.
“Noong pandemya, ang remittances ng ating OFWs ang sinandalan ng ating ekonomiya. In 2021 alone, they gave us USD 34.884 billion in remittances. Tayo ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat at nagbibigay pugay sa kanilang mga sakripisyo at kontribusyon sa ating bayan at sa kanilang mga pamilya kaya tayo ay magpupursige na maipasa itong panukalang batas na ito na kumikilala sa kanila.”, said Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino.
