Joel: OFWs’ ‘immeasurable contribution’ to PH justifies creation of DOFil

Senator Joel Villanueva on Monday pushed for the creation of a Department of Overseas Filipino (DOFil) citing the “immeasurable contribution” of overseas Filipino workers to the country, especially in these times of pandemic.

“One in 10 Filipinos live overseas. Kung nasa isang bansa po ang lahat ng ating mga kababayang overseas Filipino, ito ang magiging ninety-first (91st) most populated sa buong mundo. Mas malaki pa kaysa sa population ng Sweden, Austria, UAE, Israel, o Switzerland ang bilang ng mga Pilipino sa ibayong dagat,” Villanueva, chair of the Senate committee on labor hearing the DOFil bills, said in his opening remarks.

“Noong 2019, umabot po ng P1.56 trillion ang kabuuang cash remittances ng mga overseas Filipinos. Ito yung pinadaan sa bangko at remittance centers. Mas malaki pa ang halaga kung kasama ang perang personal na inuwi o ‘ipinakisuyo’ kay kabayang umuwi sa Pilipinas,” the senator explained.

These facts alone, Villlanueva said, are enough justifications to create a whole department mandated to only look after OFWs worldwide, and consolidate the mandates of smaller government offices under the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

And because overseas Filipinos are prospering worldwide, the senator noted, the country also prospered, “lifting many out of poverty.”

“At present, 12 percent of the national income is the monetized sweat of the overseas Filipinos. Their generous remittances buoy our economy up, keeping it afloat in times of economic headwinds,” Villanueva stated.

“Kung bibilangin po natin ang pasok ng salapi mula sa mga OFW na parang metro ng taxi, ito po ay P4.276 billion a day, P178.17 million an hour, and almost P3 million bawat minuto.”

Aside from the huge economic boost coming from remittances, OFWs are also a “source of great pride” for the Philippines.

As such, Villanueva said, “their contributions need to be met by equally efficient and timely government services.”

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)