By Vhioly Rosatazo / Roel Arizala
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joel Villanueva led the first OWWA Serbisyo Caravan in Central Luzon, bringing more than 20 government agencies under one roof to spare overseas Filipino workers in Bulacan the usual runaround in securing government documents and services.
Hundreds of OFWs and their families trooped to the San Jose del Monte Sports Complex on Friday to register or renew their OWWA membership, seek welfare assistance and social benefits, and avail themselves of livelihood, education and reintegration programs.
Among the services offered were Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay and Tulong PUSO, with agencies including the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Trade and Industry and Social Security System joining the caravan.
Villanueva said the initiative was aimed at addressing the long-standing difficulties faced by OFWs, particularly those from outside Metro Manila who previously had to travel from one government office to another to complete their requirements.
“Noon, ang mga OFWs dito sa Pilipinas, pagdating sa Maynila, turo dito at doon para magpunta sa tanggapan ng gobyerno para makumpleto ang mga requirements nila,” Villanueva said.
He said the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers in 2021 helped pave the way for more streamlined government services for OFWs. Villanueva helped facilitate the passage of the measure in the Senate.
“Ngayon, ang gobyerno na po mismo ang lumalapit sa ating mga mamamayan. Hindi na po mahihirapan ang ating mga OFWs para kumpletuhin ang kanilang mga requirements,” he said.
Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee, was joined at the caravan by OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, San Jose del Monte Mayor Rida Robes and Congressman Arthur Robes.
Caunan credited Villanueva for pushing labor reforms, particularly the DMW charter during the 18th Congress, which she said helped streamline government policies and services for OFWs.
“Napakarami na po niyang ipinaabot na tulong para sa ating mga OFWs, at isa sa pinakamalaking tulong ang isinulong niyang batas sa Senado ang pagtatag ng Department of Migrant Workers,” Caunan said.
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