Go urges colleagues to pass bill on new OFW department this week

Senator Bong Go is seeking the support of his fellow lawmakers regarding the passage of Senate Bill 2234 which, if passed, will establish the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos.

He disclosed that he discussed the matter with President Rodrigo Duterte in a bid to have the consolidated version be certified as urgent. The earlier version has been certified as urgent by the President.

“Isa po ito sa ipinakiusap ko sa Senate leadership na pag-usapan na i-certify as urgent. Ipinaalam ko rin kay Pangulo at inaasahan ko na mapipirmahan ng Pangulo at maisalang na agad, mapag-usapan na sa plenaryo, dahil matagal na po ito,” Go said during a radio interview.

The senator said that overseas Filipinos need to have a department of their own that would cater to their needs and concerns and unburden them of the challenges caused by various global crises.

At the same time, this is in recognition of their sacrifices for their families and contributions to the economy as modern day heroes, he added.

“Ako po, kahit anong pangalan, basta kapakanan ng mga kababayan natin ang importante dito. ‘Di nababayaran ang lungkot, napakahirap mapalayo sa pamilya. Maikli lang ang buhay ng tao, napapalayo ka sa pamilya, napakalungkot pero kailangan nilang magtrabaho sa abroad,” Go said.

“Bigyan na natin sila ng departamento, malaking tulong sila sa ekonomiya. I’m appealing po sa mga kasamahan ko, ipasa na natin ito. Para naman ito sa mga overseas Filipinos,” he added.

The proposed department will be primarily mandated to formulate, recommend and implement national policies, plans, programs and guidelines that protect overseas Filipinos, including OFWs, as well as promote their interests and resolve issues concerning them in a timely and effective manner.

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