Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, May 25, reiterated his firm commitment to fully support the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers, urging the incoming leadership to serve the interests of overseas Filipino workers well.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11641 on December 30, 2021 creating the DMW in a bid to improve coordination among agencies dealing with the concerns of Filipino migrant workers.

The Senate version of the Act, Senate Bill No. 2234, was authored and co-sponsored by Go. It is a consolidated version of an earlier bill he introduced to establish the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, which would ensure the efficient and effective delivery of critical public services to Filipino migrant workers.

Go stated that the DMW aims to sufficiently and efficiently commit government’s resources to defending and safeguarding the rights and interests of the country’s modern-day heroes, citing the immense hardships encountered by Filipino migrant workers.

“Kaya nga natin sila binigyan ng sariling departamento para mayroon pong mag-aaruga sa kanila, mag-aasikaso na hindi na sila kailangan pang magmakaawa o tumakbo sa iba’t ibang ahensya para humingi ng tulong sa iba’t ibang opisina,” remarked Go.

“Dapat po may nakatutok na departamento. Ayan na po ang departamentong ito, naisakatuparan na po,” he added.

Amid transitional challenges, Go is expecting that the incoming administration would expedite the establishment of the new office so that the agency may become operational and serve migrant workers immediately.

“Bagama’t patapos na po ang termino ni Pangulong Duterte noong naisakatuparan po ito, ang importante po dito ay ma-establish na kaagad ‘yung opisina dahil medyo nahihirapan pa sila ngayon dahil kakagawa lang ng IRR, kakatapos lang po ng mga guidelines na dapat sundin,” noted Go.

“Hopefully, pag-upo ng bagong administrasyon, ng bagong secretary ay talagang madadala po ito nang maayos na nakatutok po sa ating mga OFWs,” he added.

Amid reports of migrant workers advocate Susan “Toots” Ople being nominated as secretary, Go then recognized her vast experience and reminded that the welfare of overseas Filipino workers must always come first.

“Full support po ako dito kahit sino pong mamuno. At kung saka-sakaling si Ma’am Susan Ople (‘yun), full support po ako dito,” said Go.

“Isa lang po ang aking pakiusap, paalala. Siyempre, unahin ang kapakanan ng ating mga OFWs dahil para po sa kanila itong