(ELECTION) Enumerating CONCRETE Roxas-Robredo Platform on Overseas Filipinos. #RoRoVsDuterte

OFW Annex to the Comprehensive Policy Document

The Roxas-Robredo Platform on Overseas Filipinos

I.

While we create more opportunities – decent jobs and livelihood/ economic programs – domestically so that working abroad is a matter of choice and not out of desperation, we will:

(1.1) Continue and enhance government assistance to provide stronger, efficient, and full support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) such as legal assistance, diplomatic, counseling, labor relations, and training and preparation prior deployment; and to returning OFWs such as repatriation assistance, social-economic reintegration program, medical and counseling services.

1. Improve the monitoring of all government officials posted overseas, particularly those at POLO, and take immediate steps to ensure legitimate grievances by OFWs are           immediately addressed.
2. Amend the OWWA charter to allow overseas Filipino Workers to pay the OWWA annual fee, even when they    become jobless but remain overseas, to continue their OWWA           membership for them to still be able to access its benefits when     they need it most;
3. Appoint an ombudsman or a body in the Department of Foreign Affairs that will investigate complaints, criticisms,    suggestions and accusations of wrongdoings in the Philippine    Consulate and seek solutions and appropriate actions;
4. Look into setting up a genuine retirement and reintegration scheme for returning OFWs, and strengthen government entities that train returning OFW to find jobs, to receive training       on how to start their own business, to access Pag-IBIG funds        and other social services; and
5. Establish a clear mechanism for better coordination of all government agencies involved in promoting the welfare and protecting the rights of migrant workers and overseas Filipinos.

(1.2) Ease processes and transactions involved in securing overseas employment and/ or accessing consular assistance and services

1. Review all fees collected from OFWs and reduce or scrap whatever is deemed unnecessary or excessive;
2. Review and cut down unnecessary processes and requirements in securing overseas employment (e.g. reduce the number of signatures required for a seafarer’s book, review the need for OEC and other documentary requirements for   travel of OFWs and their dependents);
3. Ensure that the POEA guidelines that mandate the “no placement fee policy” be fully implemented by (i) mandating a         uniform course and fee for training would-be OFWs; (ii) strictly monitor recruitment agencies and immediately impose          sanctions on those that violate this policy, including       cancellation of their license; and (iii) forbid POLO’s ongoing      practice of conciliating illegal fee cases filed by OFWs;
4. Study an amendment in the law increasing the validity of Philippine passport from 5 years to 10 years to eliminate the time and travel expenses for OFWs in distant places from the     Philippine consulates; and
5. Adjust the work days of embassies and consulates to make it more responsive to the needs of overseas Filipinos.

II.

Ensure foreign posts support artistic and cultural endeavors of overseas Filipinos, including financial and promotional assistance.

III.

Harness the skills and potentials of overseas Filipinos to contribute to modernizing institutions and boosting economic developmen.

(3.1) Tap overseas Filipino scientists, technology experts, researchers, academicians, and development experts to provide expert advice and assistance to LGUs and government agencies in the formulation and implementation of development programs and projects.

(3.2) Through the embassies and consulates, welcome, encourage, and support charitable foreign medical missions to the Philippines by providing foreign medical missions with (i) information on target localities, local media groups, NGOs, and other travel-related concerns; and (ii) technical guidance and assistance on accreditation, licensure, and importation of mission-related goods and supplies.

(3.3) Channel overseas Filipinos remittances to domestic investments

1. Develop overseas Filipino bonds and other financial instruments specifically suitable for the risk-return profile of Filipinos overseas and their families; an
2. Legislate regulations over the expanding remittance market—including the prohibition of transaction costs greater      than 3% and incentives for competition among remittance firms—to protect remittances from wastage and channel them       to investments.