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JV Ejercito: Instead of confidential funds, strengthen DMW to combat illegal recruitment, human trafficking

September 11, 2023

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday expressed his support in strengthening the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) instead of allocating a proposed confidential fund of P20 million for the department.

During a budget briefing held by the Senate Committee on Finance on Monday, Sept. 11, Sen. Raffy Tulfo proposed the allocation of a P20 million confidential fund for the DMW to combat human trafficking and apprehend illegal recruiters.

“We can strengthen the bureau instead under Usec. Bernard Olalia tutal epektibo naman kayo [DMW]. So, we don't have to use confidential and intelligence funds. Maging example tayo na civilian departments do not need this,” Ejercito said.

The lawmaker from San Juan emphasized that it might be more fitting to leave the request for confidential and intelligence funds to departments or agencies concerned with national security.

He added the Senate will take into consideration the additional funding for DMW.

On the other hand, Olalia assured the Senate that the additional funding will be put to good use as it would be spent not only for its local operations but also for its migrant workers' offices abroad.

Moreover, Ejercito believes that the government must take strong action with the increasing issue of human trafficking, citing that many people are complaining about the outbound screening process.

“I believe that addressing this issue will be a significant challenge for the DMW. I completely agree that many people are taking advantage of our OFWs, and it's truly unfortunate. Even before they leave the country, many of them are already victimized,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito, together with other senators, scrutinized the DMW’s 2024 budget and evaluated the performance of the agency in terms of budget utilization.

“Hangad po ng komiteng ito na ang maipapasa nating budget ng DMW para sa fiscal year 2024 ay sasalamin sa pagmamahal, pag-aruga, at dedikasyon ni Sec. Toots Ople na maproteksiyonan ang ating mga migrant workers,” Ejercito said.

“Nasisiguro ko na ang kanyang mga adhikain at nagawa para sa mga OFWs ay naka-ukit sa ahensiya na kanyang pinamunuan,” Ejercito added. “Kaya naman, isang malaking hamon ang naiwan ng pagkawala ni Sec. Toots sa atin na itaguyod ang kanyang mga nasimulan.”

The DMW proposed 2024 budget that was submitted to DBM was P29.488 billion. However, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) only recommended P15.542 billion total appropriations or 52.71% of the requested amount.

Of this amount, P3.560 billion is recommended for the DMW Office of Secretary, while the remaining P11.981 billion will be allocated to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as an attached agency of DMW.

The creation of DMW was passed by Congress primarily to make the delivery of assistance and services to overseas Filipinos more accessible and efficient. 

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