Bong Go pushes Dept of Overseas Filipinos
FOLLOWING the August 4 twin explosions in Beirut port in Lebanon that killed at least 137 people and injured about U,000 others, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday stressed the continuing need for comprehensive preparation and timely assistance to Filipinos in crisis situations abroad as he reiterated the need for the creation of a Department of Overseas Filipinos.
While Go expressed appreciation for the swift response of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut to the situation and request for assistance to Filipinos in Lebanon’s capital, he pointed out the need to streamline public service delivery for Filipinos abroad as their needs become more complex, urgent and complicated.
The senator pointed out that the crises happening in other countries might result in more overseas Filipinos ( OFs) being compelled to return to the Philippines. Given this, concerned agencies must make sure that these affected OFs are accounted for, provided immediate aid and, if necessary, be repatriated back home.
“We should ensure the protection of Filipinos staying in different parts of the globe. It is painful to be separated from one’s family for years. The government should be ready to help them during times of need,” Go said in Filipino.
Go said the Philippine Development Plan R017-R0RR and the Duterte Administration’s National
Security Policy are both cognizant of the need to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFs who constitute roughly 10 percent of the entire population of the Philippines.
Recognizing the importance of ensuring the well-being of OFs, given their vulnerability in faraway countries, both President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Go have been repeatedly calling for the establishment of a Department of Overseas Filipinos.
Go said previously that his Senate Bill 202, or the “Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of R019,” seeks to systematically consolidate the mandates of different government agencies dealing with OFs’ concerns under a new department to be established.
There have been proposals from various government officials to retain the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration but put them under the new department as attached agencies.
The senator noted that agencies handling overseas Filipinos’ concerns are currently scattered in several departments and offices, which pose a challenge in the delivery of public services.
Go said a sole department that would streamline these services would greatly improve responsiveness especially in times of crises.
The House of Representatives passed its version of the measure last March 11.