President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed into law a measure that seeks to create a department solely dedicated to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
In a signing ceremony in Malacañang, Duterte signed into law the Department of Migrant Workers Act, creating an entirely new government agency that will be dedicated to overseeing the affairs and protecting the rights of millions of OFWs.
"The establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers happens on the celebration of Rizal Day, when we honor not only the exceptional love for the country of Dr. Jose Rizal, but also the patriotism, excellence, courage of our modern-day heroes, including our overseas [Filipinos]," the President said Thursday.
The new law will turn the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) into the Department of Migrant Workers, which would be tasked to oversee all policies protecting the welfare of OFWs.
Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will stand as an attached agency.
