The Senate of the Philippines is seeking to increase the budget for the Department of Labor and Employment to improve government services for Filipino migrant workers.
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the vice-chairman of the Senate finance committee, said the budget increase will be allocated to one-stop centers which offer services from different government agencies to Filipino migrant workers, the Manila Bulletin reported.
The centers will offer services from several government agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority and Maritime Industry Authority.
The additional budget will also be used for the labor department’s emergency repatriation programs.
“The additional funding would provide the department a standby fund for the repatriation of distressed Filipino migrant workers in case of outbreaks or crisis, particularly in Middle Eastern countries,” Angara said.
The senator stressed that the government should ensure that jobs and other opportunities are waiting for workers who return home to the Philippines.