THE government’s response to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the Middle East conflict could be strengthened by boosting the manpower of Philippine Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) serving millions of Filipinos in the region.
Agimat Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla raised the proposal Thursday, a day after the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, which he chairs, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs were briefed by key agencies on the impact of the crisis and the government’s response for OFWs.
Revilla noted that about 2.4 million Filipinos live and work across the region, while MWOs—the government’s front-line offices for assisting migrant workers—often operate with only 10 to 20 staff members each.
“So isipin po ninyo, undermanned po ang ating mga MWOs,” Revilla said during a virtual press conference.
He said increasing personnel in the offices would help the government respond more effectively to the needs of Filipino workers abroad, especially during emergencies such as the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
“Kailangan po natin siguro na magkaroon ng karagdagang employees o mga katulong po para matugunan ang lahat ng mga problema,” he said.
Revilla said expanding the workforce in MWOs (Migrant Workers Offices) would likely require additional support from Congress.
“‘Pag meron pong karagdagang mga ganyan, kailangan po natin ng tulong ng Kongreso para makakuha ng additional na pondo para ma-fill up ang ganitong klaseng posisyon sa ating mga MWOs,” he said.
He added that Congress stands ready to provide additional resources if necessary to strengthen government assistance for OFWs in the region, particularly if tensions escalate and more Filipinos require help or repatriation.
