Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers (CMW) Accomplishment Report 2nd Philippine Human Rights Plan

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Agency Profile:
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) started as a small Bureau in 1908. It
became a Department on December 8, 1933 with the passage of Act 4121. The DOLE is
the national government agency mandated to formulate and implement policies and
programs, and serve as the policy-advisory arm of the Executive Branch in the field of
labor and employment.
On December 8, 1933, the Bureau of Labor was constituted as a Department by virtue of
Republic Act 4121. Since then, it has continuously evolved its thrusts and strategies to
respond to emerging socio-political and economic challenges while keeping as primary
concern the protection and promotion of the welfare of local and overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs).
The DOLE serves more than 40 million workers comprising the country's labor force,
covering those in the formal and informal economies, private and public. On top of this,
the DOLE clients also include workers' organizations, employers and/or employers'
groups, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other government agencies, the
academe, other stakeholders, international organizations (e.g., ILO, IOM, UNDP,
UNICEF), and the international community including the host countries of our OFWs.
To carry out its mandate, the DOLE has 16 regional offices, 83 Field Offices with four (4)
Satellite Offices, 36 overseas posts, 6 bureaus, 7 staff services and 11 agencies attached
to it for policy and program supervision and/or coordination.1
The following agencies are mandated to ensure the protection of migrant workers
welfare:
a) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The POEA was created
under Presidential Decree 797 in 1982 to promote and develop the overseas
employment program of the country. Its regulatory functions were strengthened
by Republic Act 9422.
b) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The OWWA was initially
created through Letter of Instruction No. 537 in 1977 to protect and promote the
welfare and well-being of OFWs and their dependents. Its mandate and services
were strengthened by Republic Act 8042, as amended.
c) National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO). The NRCO was created under
Republic Act No. 10022 in 2010. The NRCO acts as the Philippine government’s
reintegration manager that addresses the needs of OFWs and their families
towards a more productive return to the country.
d) International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB). The ILAB was created under
Executive Order 366 in 2009. This was formerly known as the International
Labor Affairs Service under Letter of Instruction No. 15 in 1972. ILAB is the
1
http://www.dole.gov.ph/pages/view/7

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DOLE agency responsible for developing policies, plans, programs, projects and
operating standards relative to international labor and employment concerns.
e) Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO). The POLOs are the overseas operating
arm of DOLE in the implementation of Philippine labor policies and programs for
the protection and promotion of the welfare and interests of Filipinos working
abroad.
f) National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). The NLRC is a quasi-judicial
agency mandated to adjudicate labor and management disputes involving both
local and overseas workers through compulsory arbitration and alternative
modes of dispute resolution.
g) Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA). TESDA is the agency
responsible for the formulation of strategies and programs geared towards
manpower development.
Background on the Report’s content:
The Philippine policy is to create jobs at home so that working abroad is a matter
of choice and not a necessity. However, when Filipinos choose to work abroad, their
welfare and protection is the priority of the government.
For Filipinos who have chosen to work abroad, the country’s policy of protection
covers the entire migration management process from pre-employment, on-site
employment to return migration and reintegration.
This process involves the convergence of programs, services and personnel of
various Philippine government agencies at home and abroad. At present, we have a
global network of 82 Philippine embassies and consulates, 166 Honorary Consulates
and at least 1,295 officers to attend to consular, labor and welfare services needs of
Filipino migrant workers. The work of Philippine Government personnel abroad has
been effectively delivered with the support of highly organized networks of Filipino
migrant communities.
This report shall provide updates on the progress of the various programs,
policies, rules and regulations that have been instituted and promulgated by the DOLE,
its attached agencies and partner government agencies in response to the seven (7)
thematic objectives contained in the Philippine Human rights Plan 2012-2016.

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Significant Accomplishments of the agency in relation to achieving the
thematic objectives:
Thematic Objective 1: To implement continuing information dissemination
program on the rights of migrant workers and members of their families by
the concerned government agencies and authorities both at the national and
local levels;
The indicator for this objective shall be the percentage of areas covered by information
dissemination by region.
To ensure that migrant workers arriving in, or preparing to go to foreign states have
access to clear information on their rights in their receiving countries including
information on the Philippine government policies and programs, the Philippine
government further strengthened its mechanisms to disseminate the same through the
following:
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has introduced “We Serve OFWs
Convergence Program” through Administrative Order No. 157, issued on 2 April 2013, a
convergence program with the end of ensuring a more concerted, synchronized and
coordinated delivery of services to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). It seeks to
consolidate and harmonize all the programs and efforts of all DOLE agencies that
provide assistance to OFWs.
The DOLE Convergence Program has four major components, as follows:
1. Capability building for internal and external partners. This includes training and
capacity building on illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons and Pre-
Employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) for communities, local government
units, academe, law enforcers and OFW Family Circles. POEA spearheads this
component.
2. Education and training for OFWs. This consists of various seminars, training
programs and skills trainings to raise the awareness level of OFWs about their
rights and overseas employment and enhance their competencies to broaden
their chances for employment. Parts of these are PEOS, Pre-Departure
Orientation Seminar (PDOS), Labor Education on Graduating Students (LEGS),
and skills development and skills upgrading training.
3. Setting-up OFW Help Desks at LGUs. This initiative is led by OWWA and POEA,
aiming to provide information on overseas employment and programs and
services for OFWs including counselling services. The help desks are attended to
by a Public Employment Service Officer (PESO) of the local government units
who are trained by OWWA and POEA. There are 625 functioning OFW Help
Desks around the country. POEA to add
4. Provision of legal assistance. This includes counselling to victims, preparation of
complaint-affidavits and supporting documents, assistance in filing cases,
prosecution of illegal recruiters and closure of recruitment agencies engaged in

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illegal recruitment. Conciliation services under the Single Entry Approach
(SENA) of DOLE have also been made available to OFWs for employment-related
issues.
To ensure implementation of the program under each component, DOLE has established
an Oversight Committee chaired by the POEA Administrator, with the heads of
concerned DOLE agencies as members. The committee provides policy direction, crafts
comprehensive action plan and monitors and evaluates program implementation. The
DOLE Regional Coordinating Committees (RCCs) are tasked to implement the
convergence program at sub-national levels.
Programs under each component:
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is an integral part of the over-all
program of government to protect the welfare of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
It is a major component of OWWA’s information and education program for departing
OFWs.
The PDOS is a compulsory training required for all out-bound workers who are leaving
the country for the first time. It is designed to prepare and help OFWs cope with the
adjustments and difficulties during the first six months of work and stay at overseas
jobsites, as well as hasten the integration into their new work environment. It aims to
orient OFWs with basic information that are most beneficial to them, e.g. work
standards, language and cultural differences. The orientation-seminars are country-
specific and in some cases, skill-specific.
A PDOS certificate is issued, which is valid for 5 years, at the end of the seminar. If
within 5 years, the worker changes his/her employer or changes their country of
destination, he/she is requires to undergo PDOS again.
PDOS uses the curriculum and manual developed by the Development Academy of the
Philippines for OWWA in 2008, in collaboration with PDOS service providers from the
NGOs, land-based and sea-based recruitment agencies, industry associations, former
OFWs and OWWA officers.
As adjunct to PDOS, the OWWA Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program
(CPDEP) for Household Service Workers (CPDEP for HSWs) was implemented and
institutionalized pursuant to DOLE DO No. 95-09 which was issued on 10 March 2009. It
aims to address the difficulty confronting OFWs relating to language barrier, OWWA
implemented the Language Course in January 2007 with Arabic as the sole language
course offered.
To reach out to more workers and address the need of the vulnerable groups, especially
the HSWs, the language course was expanded in March 2009, and incorporated the one-
day PDOS, the Language and Culture Familiarization Training, and a Stress Management
Course into a single education program for HSWs.

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Only first-time HSWs to the destination country are required to attend the CPDEP while
vacationing and returning workers may undergo the training on an optional basis. The
OWWA assumes all the costs for the trainings from the venue, outlay for the utilities,
fees of the instructors and trainers, cost of hand-outs and materials, and certificates.
The conduct of PDOS is by accredited providers based on specific categories. There are
3 types of OWWA-accredited PDOS providers, as follows:
1. Agency Associations (AIs) conduct one-day PDOS for skilled, technical and
professional workers of their member agencies.
As of June 2015, there are 6 industry associations accredited to conduct PDOS, of
which 2 are country-specific (Taiwan & Mediterranean-bound countries).
2. Recruitment Agencies (seabased and landbased) conduct PDOS for their own skilled
workers.
As of June 2015, there are 305 accredited PRAs to conduct in-house PDOS for their
workers: 52 for landbased and 253 for seabased.
Of the 305 accredited RAs, 223 are authorized to conduct supplemental PDOS and 2
for country-specific PDOS, as of April 2014.
3. NGOs conduct PDOS for HSWs, OPAs and workers belonging to vulnerable
occupational groups.
As of June 2015, there are 13 NGOS accredited to conduct PDOS.
In total, there are 326 accredited PDOS Providers. The PDOS in itself is free of charge
where OWWA and POEA assume the cost. A standard fee of PhP100.00 is charged to the
Local Recruitment Agencies (LRAs) by accredited service providers to cover the cost of
training materials.
Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) is given to migrant workers who recently
arrived in their country of employment. As a follow-through to the PDOS, the PAOS is
conducted overseas either by the employers (for group deployments such as the
Employment Permit System of South Korea), the host country authorities or the
Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLOs) in cooperation with the Filipino
Community/Church Based Groups and other volunteers. The OWWA actively supports
and participates in the conduct of the PAOS.
YEAR PDOS CPDEP for
HSWs
PAOS TOTAL
2012 638,574 156,452 13,097 808,123
2013 658,440 156,893 13,685 829,018
2014 807,014 202,829 16,091 1,025,934
TOTAL 2,621,201 643,339 58,498 3,323,038

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Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) is a public information service
provided to individuals who are contemplating of working overseas. Started in 1993, it
is an educational strategy conducted by the POEA for the protection and empowerment
of the general public and prospective job seekers. It provides general information on the
pros and cons of overseas employment; the guidelines, legal procedures and
documentary requirements of applying for an overseas job; the overseas job
opportunities as well as restricted ones; tips to avoid illegal recruitment; advisories and
warnings to OFWs; health and security issues; and the government services available to
overseas job applicants and hired workers.
In the last three (3) years, the POEA conducted 4,247 PEOS sessions with 832,540
participants. In 2014, the number of participants 488, 507 which is an increase by 182
% compared to the 173, 143 in 2013.
The POEA launched in March 2014 the PEOS ONLINE in partnership with Jobstreet. The
PEOS Online is a web-based facility to educate the public about overseas employment
and help them in their decision-making process in working abroad. It contains modules
similar to the community based or target-based PEOS. This serves now as alternative
PEOS facility targeting the internet based community. Since the time it was launched, it
had generated 262,997 unique visitors and 57,099 had registered as of date
Pre-Employment Seminar PEOS
2012 2013 2014
Number of PEOS
Conducted 938 1,453 1,856
Central Office 346 789 N/A
Regional Offices 592 664 1, 856
Number of
Participants 170, 890 173, 143 488, 507
Central Office 114, 243 104, 439 278, 422
Regional Offices 56, 647 68, 704 210, 085
Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (AIRTIP) - POEA conducts
AIRTIP seminars to educate key stakeholders on illegal Recruitment (RA 8042 as
amended by RA No.10022) and Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208 as amended by RA
10364; the modus operandi of illegal recruiters; tips to avoid illegal recruitment, and
the legal modes of applying for overseas employment. Participants are equipped with
primary skills on investigating illegal recruitment and trafficking, in partnership with
prosecutors from the Department of Justice. Participants in these seminars include local
government unit (LGU) officials, law enforcers, prosecutors, members of the academe.
Public Employment Service Office (PESO) managers; non-government organizations,
and faith –based groups.
In the last three (3) years, the POEA conducted 130 AIRTIP seminars participated by
11,437 participants across the country.

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Advocacy activities on RAs 9208 and 9262, organ trafficking, and on Recovery and
Reintegration Program for Trafficked Person - The Department of Social Welfare
and Development conducted various advocacy activities that focused on raising
awareness on the importance of the unified action of the services providers and the
public in preventing trafficking. In the last three years, 122 advocacy activities have
been concluded.
As part of the government’s objective to ensure that the implementation of continuing
information dissemination on the rights of migrant workers and their families are
carried out, the government also established the following integrated information
systems:
Overseas Filipino Information System (OFIS) - As mandated by law, the Migrant
Workers Act of 1995 and its amended form, R.A. 10022 of 2010, that directs
government agencies concerned with migration to develop a Shared Government
Information System for Migration (SGISM). The information system aims to make
available to member agencies information contained in their existing databases and
enable the linking of computer systems in order to allow free flow of data exchanges
and sharing.
Years after its development was directed by law, the administration of President
Benigno Simeon Aquino seriously took on the task to initiate measures to implement it.
The establishment of the Overseas Filipinos Information System (OFIS) is an initial step
towards the fulfilment to the requirement of the law. The OFIS is envisioned as a web-
based Overseas Filipinos information, database and monitoring system to be utilized as
a tool for emergency preparedness response. It aims to have a clear and accurate
picture of the overseas Filipinos, their number, profile, whereabouts and movements in
all destination countries.
The OFIS Project was jointly undertaken by a special technical working group led by
DFA, and composed of DOLE (OWWA and POEA), DFA, ASTI-DOST, and DOJ-BI. ASTI-
DOST was tasked to develop the system while members of the special TWG provides the
data requirements.
Data on OFIS also include the Filipino immigrants. The “e-rehistro” of e-registration
feature of OFIS will be ready for dissemination to Philippine diplomatic mission and on-
line registration by overseas Filipinos as soon as the four (4) data bases have been
consolidated and the manual for e-registration has been finalized
Foreign Labor Operations Information System (FLOIS) - is an interactive computer-
based information system designed to ensure that the data/information of the
Department’s foreign operations is up-to-date, intact, reliable and responsive to the
Year
No. of AIR/TIP Seminars
Conducted/Participants
2012 50/4917
2013 41/2793
2014 39/3727

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needs of the Secretary of Labor and other stakeholders. At present, FLOIS has been
installed in 11 Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) located in ASIA, Middle East
and 2 in Italy.
Thematic Objective 2: To sustain advocacy for bilateral agreements,
memoranda of understanding, and other similar instruments, especially with
those countries of destination where discriminatory treatment and abuse are
more frequent;
The indicator for this thematic objective shall be the increase in the number of
bilateral agreements entered into by the government for the protection of overseas
Filipino workers.
Hereunder are the existing Bilateral Labor Agreements for the period of 2010 –
2015:
Country Date of Signing Title
1. Jordan
05/27/2010 PH-Jordan on Labor Cooperation
2. Manitoba, Canada
09/21/2010
PH-Canada Concerning Cooperation in Human
Resource Deployment and Development
3. Taiwan
07/26/2011
Memorandum of Understanding between the
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the
Philippines and the Manila Economic and
Cultural Office in Taiwan on Special Hiring
Program
4. Korea
08/30/2011
PH-Korea on the Sending and Receiving of
Workers under the Employment Permit System
of Korea
5. Jordan
01/29/2012
PH-Jordan on the Principles and Protocols for
Regulating Deployment and Employment of
Filipino Domestic Workers
6. Lebanon
02/01/2012 PH-Lebanon on Labor Cooperation
7. Kuwait
03/23/2012 PH-Kuwait on Labor Cooperation
8. British Columbia,
Canada
05/19/2012
Joint Communique of PH-British Columbia on
areas of mutual benefit with respect to labour
mobility
9. Germany
03/19/2013
PH-Germany Agreement Concerning the
Placement of Filipino Health Professionals in
Employment Positions in Germany
10. Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia 05/19/2013
PH-KSA Agreement on Domestic Worker
Recruitment
11. Province of
Saskatchewan,
Canada
10/07/2013
(valid up to 07
October 2016
Memorandum of Understanding between the
Department of Labor and Employment of the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines

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and will
automatically
be renewed up
to 2018)
and Her Majesty the Queen in the Right of the
Province of Saskatchewan, Canada Concerning
Co-operation in Human Resource Deployment
and Development
12. Papua New
Guinea
11/26/2013
Memorandum of Agreement on Labor
Cooperation between the Government of the
Republic of the Philippines and the Government
of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
13. Korea
05/30/2014
(renewal)
PH-Korea on the Sending and Receiving of
Workers under the Employment Permit System
of Korea
14. Switzerland 10/12/2014
Guidelines on the Documentation and the
Deployment of Filipino Trainees (Young
Professionals/Stagiaries) to Switzerland and the
Procedure for the Deployment of Swiss Trainees
to the Philippines under the Philippine-Swiss
Agreement on the Exchange of Professional and
Technical Trainees.
15. British Columbia,
Canada
05/08/2015
PH—British Columbia MOU Concerning
Cooperation in Human Resource Deployment and
Development
16. Canada 05/08/2015
DOLE-Canadian Centre for Occupational Health
and Safety (CCOHS) MOA on Occupational Safety
and Health
The Philippines also has on-going Bilateral Labor negotiations with Mongolia, Qatar,
France, Italy
Thematic Objective 3: To provide adequate consular services, welfare
assistance and other available legal remedies in the host countries and in the
Philippines;
The indicators for this thematic objective are:
(1) Increased number of assisted Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in
varying difficult circumstances (e.g. consular, welfare and legal services);
(2) Ratio of regular/documented OFWs to the number of Philippine
Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) personnel;
Ratio of irregular/undocumented workers to number of personnel under the Office of
the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA).
As part of the government’s measures in managing irregular migrants and in
assisting migrants in crisis including distressed migrants, the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) has the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) and Assistance-to-Nationals Fund
(ATN) so that maximum assistance can be extended to OFWs and their families.
These Funds cover a wide range of expenses needed by our embassies and

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consulates to extend assistance and protections required under our laws (R.A. 8042,
as amended by R.A. 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act).
The DFA has reported that the number of Filipinos served under the Assistance to
Nationals (ATN) in 2013 was 18, 029 and 20, 697 in 2014 which is a 14.80%
increase in the number of assisted constituents in a year. Its legal assistance service
has increased from 246 in 2013 to 258 in 2014.
OWWA, on the other hand, has the Welfare Assistance Fund (Legal Assistance) which is
the counterpart to the existing LAF to cover expenses for welfare cases
managed/pursued/filed by the overseas officers of the Philippines Overseas Labor
Offices (POLOs) at worksites that require the services of a legal officer and other
attendant to the resolution of the case.
The Fund covers cases involving active members* onsite already elevated to the courts.
Cases with criminal components may be covered provided that the OFW is the
complainant and/or they are not covered by the DFA LAF.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Offices have extended welfare assistance which
included psycho-social counselling, hospital visitation, work and campsite visitation
and jail/detention center visitation to 92, 647 OFWs in 2012; 129, 056 in 2013; and
138,614 in 2014.
The OWWA likewise extend welfare assistance and services to OFWs on-site and in-
country through the following:
1. On-Site Welfare Case Management. Includes requests for assistance on OFWs’
whereabouts, psycho-social counseling, conciliation, airport assistance,
hospital/prison/work campsites visitations and legal assistance to OFWs who wish
to pursue labor/welfare case in the court of the country.
2. In-Country Welfare Case Management. Includes requests by families and NOKs
(next-of-kin) for assistance from Post, post-repatriation assistance, counseling,
referrals, and other concerns. Requests for assistance can be channeled through the
24/7 Operation Center and OWWA Regional Offices.
Year No. of Workers Assisted*
2012 120,319
2013 379,708
2014 344,518
TOTAL 844,545
*Welfare Assistance provided by Overseas Welfare offices on-site, RWOs in-country, and
24/7 Operation Center for OFWs (Central Office-in-country) to OFWs and their families
(referrals – employment and medical, psychosocial counselling , representation, and other
requests)

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3. Repatriation Program
The repatriation program entails bringing of distressed OFWs, as well as
transporting of human remains back to the country. Post-repatriation Services
include airport assistance, temporary shelter at the halfway home, psycho-social
counselling, stress debriefing, and provision of transport services or fare for their
onward travel to their respective provinces.
The passage of RA 8042 otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas
Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended by RA 10022 in 2010 tasks OWWA the responsibility
to repatriate workers in cases of war, epidemic, natural or man-made disaster or
calamities, and other similar events without prejudice to reimbursement by the employer
of the recruitment agency. In cases where the employer or the recruitment agency cannot
be identified, OWWA shall bear all costs of repatriation.
Emergency repatriation is carried out in the event of any political unrest or natural
calamities. An Emergency Repatriation Fund is created which is under the
administration, control and supervision of OWWA for the purpose, including
payment of fines or penalties.
*Post repatriation and other related services are assistance provided to repatriated and
distressed OFWs that includes airport assistance, halfway house accommodation, local
transportation to their residence, medical assistance and referral, counselling and stress
debriefing, among others.
As part of the legal services by the Department and Pursuant to Administrative Order
(AO) No. 107-10, intensifying voluntary conciliation as a means to provide parties an
expedient way to settle disputes through voluntary conciliation, the DOLE and its
attached agencies are directed to handle request for Voluntary Conciliation under the
Single Entry Approach. Covering the period from 2012 to 2014 the POEA assisted in the
settlement of 7, 067 requests for conciliation:
Requests filed Request for conciliation settled
2012 2,935 1,650
2013 4,254 2,814
2014 4,183 2,603
For the period of 2012 to 2014, POEA thru its Single Entry Approach (SENA)
assisted in the settlement of 7067 requests for conciliation.
Year OFWS Ticketed Post Repatriation Related
Services*
2012 202 12,787
2013 453 43,113
2014 245 13,215
TOTAL 900 69,115

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To ensure that all the services are efficiently provided to the OFWs in foreign countries,
the government provided additional manpower to its foreign offices as follows:
The DOLE has established Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) in 36 locations,
with a total complement of 58 Labor Attaches. These are located in the following OFW
destinations: Abu Dhabi; Alkhobar; Bahrain; Brunei Darrusalam; Dubai; Geneva; Greece;
Hong Kong; Israel; Jeddah; Jordan; Kaohshiung; Korea; Kuala Lumpur; Kuwait; Lebanon;
Libya; London; Macau; Madrid; Milan; Oman; Unaizah; Qatar; Riyadh; Rome; Singapore;
Taichung; Taipei; Tokyo; Washington DC; Australia; Syria; Toronto; Vancouver.
While RA 8042 mandates the establishment of a Migrant Workers and Other Overseas
Filipino Resource Center, the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices are established upon
the recommendation of the DFA and on the consideration of the following: labor market
demand, concentration of OFWs, crime and unemployment rate of the destination
country, bilateral agreements and wage component. The POLO functions are embodied
in RA 10022.
On the other hand, OWWA maintains 31 Overseas Welfare Offices (OWOs) in 26
countries, with a full staff complement of 25 Welfare Officers (9 in Asia, 11 in the Middle
East, and 5 in Europe and the Americas) and 27 Administrative Assistants (8 in Asia, 17
in the Middle East, and 2 in Europe and the Americas) to serve the needs of the Filipino
migrant workers. In July 2013, OWWA deployed additional (6) female Welfare
Officers/Administrative Assistants in Riyadh, Jeddah and Jordan, owing to the number
of female OFWs in these countries.
Under the 22 point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno Aquino III, the
Department of Labor and Employment has been given an additional 162 plantilla
positions to be deployed to various Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) where
each will have an ideal complement of 10 to 15 personnel holding plantilla positions.
The Social Security System establishes its presence in top destination countries in
collaboration with the DFA to reach out to OFWs. There are 20 SSS Foreign Offices with
22 Foreign Representatives and 18 local hires as of June 2015.
The DFA has dedicated an Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Unit in Posts with large
number of OFWs and at least an ATN Officer in other embassies and consulates.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in response to the needs
of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), implements the International Social Welfare
Services for Filipino National (ISWSFN) Program. The ISWSFN is aimed at
institutionalizing a system of providing social services to overseas Filipinos, be they
documented or undocumented migrants or temporary residents in a foreign country.
The implementation of ISWSFN is pursuant to Executive Order No. 287, series of 2003
“Directing the Deployment/Posting of Social Welfare Attachés in Selected Diplomatic
Posts”.
The first Social Welfare Attaché (SWAt) was assigned at the Philippine Embassy in
Kuala Lumpur in December 2002. In 2012, an additional six (6) social welfare attaché
(SWATT) offices were opened in the following posts: Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait,

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Hong Kong and South Korea. Each SWATT was given locally hired assistants to attend
to the administrative concerns of each office. Starting this year, the DSWD will be
deploying SWATTs to Lebanon, Jordan and Japan.
Prior to the deployment of government officers, they are mandated to undergo a pre-
deployment training and immersion program that will prepare them to work overseas
and cater to the needs of the OFWs.
Given the estimated 2.3 Million total number of OFWs in 2014 by the Philippine
Statistics Authority and the additional plantilla positions, the ratio between the OFW
and the government personnel to serve them has marginally decreased thereby
ensuring the efficient and adequate service provided to OFWs.
Thematic Objective 4: To provide urgent medical assistance to migrant
workers in the countries of destination;
The indicator for this thematic objective shall be the amendment of the Migrant
Worker’s Act (RA 8042) and other related legislations.
On 10 March 2010, the Philippine Government enacted Republic Act No. 10022,
amending the 1995 Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act. This law strengthens
protective measures afforded to migrant workers by increasing the penalties for illegal
recruitment; institutes a system for certifying host countries or destinations that
provide adequate protection to migrant workers; expands prohibited acts in the
recruitment and deployment of workers; provides mandatory insurance coverage to
recruitment agency-hired workers; provides a minimum annual budget of Php 100
Million for the Legal Assistance Fund; and institutionalizes the National Reintegration
Center with regular plantilla positions and a P50 Million annual budget.
In 2012, the Philippines ratified two (2) International Labor Conventions: a) Maritime
Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC); and b) Domestic Workers Convention (Convention
189). These Conventions provide for the mandatory health protection, medical care,
welfare and social security protection of OFWs. As enabling laws for national
implementation Republic Act 10361 (Batas Kasambahay) and Department Order 130
(Rules and Regulations on the Employment of Filipino Seafarers Onboard Philippine
registered Ships in International Voyage) were both enacted in 2013.
Further, Under DOLE AO 168 s. 2013, the Manual of Operations, Policies and Guidelines
for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) prescribes the standard procedures in
handling welfare cases, admission of OFWs to the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas
Filipinos Resource Centers (MWOFRC) including the procurement of medical and
hospitalization services.
Thematic Objective 5: To provide social security to migrant workers in their State
of employment with the same treatment granted to the nationals of the receiving
country;
The indicator for this thematic objective shall be the increased number of bilateral social
security agreements with other countries.

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As the lead agency in the negotiations of Bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSAs),
the Social Security Systems, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs has
negotiated successfully with the following countries:
Existing SSAs (effectivity dates)
Austria (1982); UK and Northern Ireland (1989); Spain (1989); France (1994); Canada
(1997); Quebec (1998); Netherlands (2001); Switzerland (2004); Belgium (2005)
Signed SSAs, but not ratified
Korea (2005) and Israel (2009)
Ratified SSAs, awaiting entry into force
Denmark (2012) and Portugal (2012)
Signed SSAs, awaiting ratification
Germany (2014) and Luxembourg (2015)
Negotiated SSAs, targeted for signing in 2015
Japan and Sweden
The bilateral agreements have provisions on “totalization of contributions” which
addresses the issue of portability. To date, the efforts on making SSS coverage
mandatory for all OFWs are included in the proposed amendments to the SSS Charter.
Thematic Objective 6: To implement a comprehensive program for the return,
resettlement, and cultural reintegration of migrant workers and members of
their families; and
The indicator for this thematic objective shall be the increased number of OFWs in the
National Reintegration Program.
Pursuant to Republic Act 10022 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the
National Reintegration Center for OFWs was institutionalized with regular plantilla
positions and a P50 Million annual budget. It provides the mechanism for the OFWs’
reintegration into Philippine society, serves as a promotion house for their local
employment, and tap their skills and potentials for national development.
The NRCO prepares the OFWs and their families for their eventual return to the
Philippines through a package of services and mechanisms developed and implemented
by the government and its social partners.
The agency, together with OWWA provide the following services under the
Reintegration programme:
a) Financial Awareness Seminars (FAS) - From 2,557 OFWs benefitted in 2012 and
2,530 beneficiaries in 2013, the FAS project has provided 6, 018 OFWs with the
knowledge and skills on financial planning and management of their hard earned
earning from overseas employment.

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b) The 2-Billion (OFW-RP) Reintegration Program - The P2B ORP was launched on 7
June 2011 by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino during the celebration of the
Migrant’ Workers Day and holding of the First National Congress of OFWs and
Families.
The 2-B ORP is a special loan facility of OWWA in partnership with the Land Bank
and DBP intended to support enterprise development among OFWs and their
families that will provide them with steady income stream to support their needs
and create employment opportunities to contribute to community development. It
therefore aims to provide OFWs with a sustainable alternative to overseas
employment. Loanable amount is Php 300,000.00 up to a maximum of Php 2M.
The OWWA covers 50% of the guarantee fund.
For 2015, OWWA expects an increase in the number of loan availees due to the entry
of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and with the amendments to the
implementing rules and regulations of the program on the loan ceiling, criteria,
among others.
Year No. of Livelihood Projects
Approved
Amount Released (in
Peso)
2012 390 297,624,000.00
2013 299 245,364,000.00
2014 403 213,120,000.00
TOTAL 1,092 756,108,000.00
c. Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! – initiated only in November 2013, is a livelihood
assistance program for distressed/displaced OFW returnees where they can
avail of starter kits worth up to Php10,000.00. It aims to assist the beneficiaries
to plan, set-up, start and operate a livelihood undertaking through the provision
of ready-to-go rollout self-employment package of services, consisting of short-
duration trainings, start-up kits/goods, business counselling, technical and
marketing assistance. It also enables them to be multi-skilled though access to
skills training service assistance by other government institutions like TESDA,
DTI, TRC, Agriculture Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture, NGOs,
and competent resource persons. It also intends to equip the beneficiaries with
skills that are highly in demand in the local labor market to increase their
chances to find better job opportunities. Implemented in 2014, the BPBH
provided livelihood starter kits to 1,646 distressed OFW beneficiaries. The
amount released for BPBH during the first year of implementation totaled to
PhP19,621,325.00.
d. Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) – implemented in 2010, it
provides financial assistance amounting to PhP15,000.00 given to the surviving
spouse as a livelihood component of the program.

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Year No. of Beneficiaries Amount Released (in Peso)
2012 726 12,400,000.00
2013 1,193 18,330,000.00
2014 1,376 19,622,000.00
e) DOLE Assist WELL Program – implemented in 2014, the Assist WELL program is
provided to OFWs who were repatriated, displaced due to emergency and crisis
situations at the jobsites.
The Assist WELL Program is a component of the National Reintegration Program
intended for OFWs who were repatriated from crisis/emergency situations. The
Program aims to ensure their successful reintegration. It is a package of
reintegration assistance and services implemented by agencies under the leadership
of DOLE, to address the Welfare (OWWA), Employment (BLE & TESDA), Legal
(POEA) and Livelihood (OWWA and NRCO) needs of the repatriated workers.
The Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP) is a component of the Assist WELL
Program which provides financial relief assistance to repatriated and displaced
OFWs to cushion the impact of unemployment and assist in their economic and
social adjustment in their respective communities. A one-time grant in the amount
of Php 10,000.00 is given to qualified distressed OFW-members to tide them over
upon arrival to the country.
Beneficiaries to the FRAP/RAP are repatriated displaced workers from conflict-
ridden areas of Libya (2011 and 2014-2015), Yemen (2015), and Syria (2011).
f) Flexi-fund Program - The SSS offers a provident fund scheme as a mechanism
for OFWs to save more and earn higher guaranteed interest for future needs,
especially upon their return, that is designed to supplement their benefits
under the regular SSS coverage program. From 143, 180 OFWs enrolled in
2011, the program has increased its membership to 181, 348 by the end of
2014.
Thematic Objective 7: To develop adequate measures for the protection and
welfare of the children of migrant workers.
The indicator for this thematic objective shall be the increased number of assisted
children of migrant workers in varying circumstances.
The Philippines provides care and protection to children left behind by migrant
workers. They may avail of services provided by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, which includes a supplementary feeding program, temporary shelters,
alternative parental care and psycho-social services. Children of OWWA members can
avail of scholarship programs and can join the OFW Family Circles that serve as support
groups.

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Education and Training Benefits
An OFW-member or his/her duly designated beneficiaries may avail of various
scholarship programs. Some are subject to a selection process and accreditation of
participating institutions. The beneficiaries/availees of following scholarship programs
are mostly children of OFW members.
1. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
A scholarship program for qualified OFW dependents consisting of a maximum of
PhP60,000.00 (US$ 1,300.00) per school year, leading to a four-to-five year
baccalaureate course in any college or university.
Year No. of
Beneficiaries
No. of Scholars Maintained No. of Graduates
2012 100 443 64
2013 100 308 147
2014 200 381 90
TOTAL 400
2. OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP)
Scholarship consisting of a maximum of PhP20,000.00 (US$ 440.00) assistance per
school year leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or
university for dependents of OFW-members receiving a monthly salary of not more
than US$400.00.
Year No. of Beneficiaries
2012 2,627
2013 2,595
2014 4,637
3. Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)
Educational assistance for survivors of a deceased OFW consisting of PhP5,000.00
(US$ 110.00) for elementary, PhP8,000.00 (US$ 180.00) for high school and
PHP10,000.00 for college per school year.
Year No. of
Beneficiaries
No. of Graduates
Elementary Secondary Tertiary
2012 2,025 205 225 234
Challenges, lessons learned and areas for improvement
 The Philippines is a country of a multilingual population and to educate its
people on important concepts without using their local dialects can sometimes
prove to be difficult. The DSWD plans on reviewing the implementation of its

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programs. Also, the DSWD views that the development of a community
handbook for community service providers to increase public awareness on
Human Trafficking would aid to disseminate information on a local community
level.
 The DFA aims to raise awareness on Trafficking in Persons by training its front
liners to identify potential victims of trafficking and situations of trafficking as
well as to ensure that its Foreign Service Personnel do not become traffickers
themselves, especially towards their own domestic or private staff2.
 Provision of timely and effective education and information to migrant workers
for better adaptation, and to ease the tensions of temporary migration and the
establishment of a sustainable mechanism for the exchange of information and
ideas on issues relating to the mobility of workers from the origin and
destination countries have been some of the challenges faced by OWWA. To this
extent, the OWWA targets August 2015 as its tentative schedule to launch the
PDOS-ONLINE for implementation.
 Also, the Comprehensive Information and Orientation Programme (CIOP) for
Migrant Workers has been approved in 2014, it aims to prepare migrant workers
for overseas employment through education and timely information intervention
for better adaptation, and to ease the transitions of temporary migration,
thereby establishing sustainable mechanism for information exchange between
origin and destination countries. It will work within the framework of circular
migration and covers pre-departure orientation, post-arrival orientation and
reintegration counseling. The first phase is the development of a standard
module on pre-departure orientation seminar (PDOS) that will be adopted by the
COLOMBO Process Member-States with the support of the GCC countries who
are members of the ADD. Technical assistance/project management support is
provided by IOM, while financial support is provided by the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC).
 The implementation of a shared government information system has proven to
be a challenge due to difficulties in data clean-up, harmonization of data and
manual conversion of data from different database format to the OFIS prescribed
database format. At present, additional funding for the system has already been
requested to the Office of the Executive Secretary. The system will push through
once funding and data integrity issues are resolved.
 The implementation of FLOIS in some of the host countries have proven to be
difficult due to the different information and communications technology
requirements. The DOLE through the ILAB, has provided the budget to these
posts for upgrading internet lease lines and computer hardware.
2
Source: DFA’s Input for the Initial Issue of “Movers.” Movers is the Inter-Agency Council Against
Trafficking/IACAT’s official publication, 2015

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 The OWWA Disability benefit for OFWs limits its coverage to work-related
disabilities and so, the OWWA is working towards the development of
supplementary medical assistance programs for OFWs.
 Providing the actual status/progress of policies/programs for migrant workers
and their families have continuously been considered as a difficult endeavor.
The DOLE, through its concerned agencies will undertake tracer studies to
review and assess its programs and projects and to likewise keep track of its
beneficiaries.