Resolution on the Proposal of President Rodrigo Duterte to Create a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers
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9th Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK Europe (ICBE) Consultation
Rome, Italy
April 28 – May 1, 2017
Resolution on the Proposal of President Rodrigo Duterte to Create a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers
Whereas, President Rodrigo Duterte declared his intention to create a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs.) This declaration was made after his recent visit to the Middle East where he met OFWs and facilitated the repatriation of more than 150 stranded OFWs;
Whereas, we take this proposal for a Department of OFWs as an expression of President Rodrigo Duterte’s interest to uphold and advance OFW rights and welfare and a response to the clamor of OFWs for adequate and efficient service from state agencies on OFWs;
Whereas, OFW organizations and their families should be genuinely consulted regarding the rationale, need, objectives, program and policies of the proposed Department of OFWs;
Whereas, OFWs are critical of the inadequate and poor services from existing state agencies for OFWs like OWWA, DOLE. POEA, DFA, etc. Human trafficking, unjust collection of fees, inadequate response to crisis situation of OFWs, labor exploitation, jobs with decent wage for returnees are some of the demands of OFWs;
Whereas, a long term solution to make migration a choice and not necessity is the creation of more jobs with decent salary in the Philippines. OFWs are willing to contribute their technical and professional skills towards developing an all-round, pro-people socio-economic program for a progressive Philippine society;
Be it resolved, that we Cordillera OFWs, inform President Rodrigo Duterte of our interest in his proposal to create Department of OFWs and our desire to be fully consulted about its creation to ensure that the Department of OFWs will truly and genuinely serve their interest and their families;
Be it further resolved, as hereby resolved, that this resolution be forwarded to the Office of President Rodrigo Duterte, with copy furnished to the Philippine Embassy in Rome, Italy and Cordillera Congressional Representatives and Provincial Governors.
Unanimously approved by the delegates to the 19th ICBE (Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK Europe) Consultation, 28 April-1 May 2017, Rome, Italy.
Certified, Members of the 9th ICBE Steering Committee, 1 May 2017, Rome, Italy.
Signatures: