THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday, December 19, 2020, expressed full support to the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos, saying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are fully behind it as well.
In a virtual press briefing, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the DOLE is one with OFWs in looking forward to having a separate department.
"There is a simple rationale behind the OFW department -- so that there will be a sole agency that OFWs and their families can run to under one roof," said Cacdac.
"Being our modern-day heroes, it is important for them to have one department that is named after them. These particular points are at the heart of the creation of the department," he added.
With their support, the Owwa chief said the overseas employment cluster of the DOLE is already preparing to help hasten the legislation process.
"The DOLE family will continue to participate in the process, particularly in the Senate, where there will be committee hearings by January," he said.
"We are looking forward to taking part in the procedures, technical working groups meetings so that the law will already be passed," added Cacdac.
Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent a bill looking to create the Department of Overseas Filipinos, which aims to consolidate government functions involving Filipinos overseas under one agency.
To note, the House of Representatives has already passed its version of the measure in March.
Senate President Tito Sotto has said the Senate will take up the bill when the session resumes in January 2021. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)