AGIMAT Partylist Representative Bryan Revilla was officially designated as Chairperson of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs for the 20th Congress on Tuesday, August 05. This appointment is seen as both timely and strategic in strengthening the country’s efforts to uplift the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In an official statement, Cong. Bryan expressed his deep gratitude for the trust placed in him by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and his fellow legislators, describing the role as “a privilege, a responsibility, and most of all, an opportunity to serve.”
“Ang ating mga OFWs ay hindi lamang haligi ng ekonomiya, kundi ng buong sambayanang Pilipino. Ang kabayanihan nila ay hindi lamang dapat suklian ng papuri, kundi ng konkretong proteksyon, tamang representasyon, at makataong polisiya na sumasalamin sa kanilang aktwal na kalagayan at pangangailangan,” Revilla said.
As chairperson, Cong. Bryan is committed to advancing meaningful legislation in close collaboration with fellow lawmakers, national agencies, civil society groups and, most importantly, OFWs and their families.
“Inaasahan kong makatrabaho ang aking mga kasamahan sa Kongreso, gayundin ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno tulad ng DMW, DFA, OWWA, at iba pang mga organisasyon at kinatawan ng OFWs, upang magtaguyod ng mga batas at programang tunay na may saysay sa buhay ng ating mga kababayang nasa abroad,” he added.
Under Cong. Bryan’s leadership, the Committee is expected to prioritize the passage of key measures focused on the protection, reintegration, and long-term welfare of OFWs. These include proposed laws that expand legal assistance and emergency support, redefine illegal recruitment, provide free financial literacy training and compulsory insurance, and establish a comprehensive reintegration framework for returning workers. Other bills aim to grant civil service eligibility and technical certification to long-serving OFWs, offer scholarships to their dependents, and promote entrepreneurship and pre-deployment health benefits through free diagnostic exams.
AGIMAT Partylist has consistently advocated for vulnerable and underserved sectors with Cong. Bryan emphasizing that genuine public service “does not end at our national borders.”
“Ang tunay na serbisyo ay hindi natatapos sa hangganan ng ating bayan. Kaya’t maaasahan ninyo na pagdating sa komiteng ito, ang bawat desisyon, konsultasyon, at panukala, ay nakasentro sa mga OFW,” he said, stressing his goal to make the committee a responsive, inclusive, and action-oriented venue for OFW concerns.
As the country continues to navigate shifting global labor dynamics and increasingly complex immigration policies – especially in key OFW markets – Cong. Bryan’s upcoming chairmanship signals a renewed focus on policy reform, enhanced support systems, and rights-based governance for millions of Filipinos abroad.
