Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sarah Lou Arriola with Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Alan Timbayan and Community members during a discussion concerning Overseas Filipino Workers.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, H E Sarah Lou Arriola recently visited the embassy in the country where she met Ambassador H E Alan Timbayan, along with 18 members of the Filipino Community from different organisations.
Her visit discussed the impending creation of the Department of Migrant Workers which is a step closer towards being approved. On Tuesday, December 14, all senators voted in favour to pass it on third and final reading.
Undersecretary Arriola said this department will “create a one-stop-shop for migrant workers. This visit is also a way for us to listen to you, we are grateful to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as you bring honour to the country. Your remittances has helped the country grately during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Senate Bill No. 2234 will turn to Philippine Overseas Employment Administration into the said department. Seven functions of several agencies which handle OFW concerns would be merged and transferred under the Department of Migrant Workers.
This includes National Reintegration Center under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, all Philippine overseas labor offices under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), International Labor Affairs Bureau and National Maritime Polytechnic, both under DOLE; Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs under DFA, International Social Services Offer under Department of Social Welfare and Development; and Commission on Filipino Overseas under the Office of the President. It was certified as an urgent bill by President Rodrigo Duterte in May.
Moreover, the Undersecretary disclosed that this moment is a “difficult time and we continually ask for prayers and support so we can rise again from this crisis.”
The Undersecretary was referring to the pandemic and the super Typhoon Rai, known locally as Odette which wreaked havoc in the Philippines. Death toll from this typhoon have increased to 375, while 500 were injured, while 56 are missing.
The Filipino community expressed their appreciation to the Department and have vowed to support the Embassy.
