DBM, naglaan ng P15.2B budget para sa DMW para sa taong 2023

NAGLAAN ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM)  ng P15.2 bilyong piso sa bagong itinatag na Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) sa ilalim ng panukalang  P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget.

Sa kalatas na ipinalabas ng DBM, sinabi nito na sa kabuuang halaga, P3.5 bilyong  piso ang inilaan sa   Office of the Secretary ng DMW.

Tinatayang 77% o P2.7 bilyong piso ng budget para sa Office of the Secretary ng DMW ang mapupunta sa Overseas Employment and Welfare Program,  kabilang rito ang P1.2 billion AKSYON Fund alinsunod sa Republic Act No 11641.

Gayundin, sa ilalim ng Seksyon 20 ng Republic Act No. 11641 o Migrant Workers Act, ang  Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ay may mandato bilang attached agency ng DMW.

Dahil dito, sa ilalim ng 2023 National Expenditure Program, tinatayang  P10.039 bilyong piso ang inilaan sa Emergency Repatriation Program of OWWA.

Sakop nito ang  367,287 OFWs, ayon sa DBM.

Ang  nasabing programa ay naglalayong magbigay ng  tulong upang maibalik ang mga distressed OFWs at  labi ng tao sa Pilipinas.

“Workers are provided with proper help, temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, and transport services to their respective localities, ” ayon sa DBM.

“The budget allocation for DMW and OWWA is in line with the Marcos administration’s commitment to uphold the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and ensure the efficient delivery of services and assistance to OFWs,” wika pa ng  Budget Department .

“Our OFWs are our modern day heroes. We honor their sacrifices, as they work hard to uplift the lives of their families and to enhance our country’s economy through their remittances,” ayon naman kay Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

Tiniyak pa ng Kalihim na “full support” ang DBM sa adbokasiya ng Pangulo na mapabuti ang kondisyon ng mga OFWs.

“We know and feel the difficulties our kababayans face by being far from their loved ones and we continue to ensure that they will be afforded with the appropriate support they need,” ayon kay  Pangandaman.

“Other programs included in the DMW budget allocation for 2023 are the Overseas Employment Regulatory Program, Labor Migration Policy and International Cooperation Program, Maritime Research and Skills Competency Program, and Provision for OFW Hospital and Diagnostic Center under Overseas Employment and Welfare Program among others,” ayon sa  DBM. (Daris Jose)