Group hails 98 OFWs for winning their case vs. Saudi company

Press Release

29 August 2012

Group hails 98 OFWs for winning their case vs. Saudi company

Al-Swayeh Filipino workers and other Migrants staged a protest inside their labor camp in Riyadh, February 2012 (Migrante-KSA file photo)

Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) hailed the ninety-eight overseas Filipino workers who have filed a labor case against their employer at the Saudi labor court for ‘not giving up their fight and standing for their rights as migrant workers.’

Last week, the distress OFWs received a favorable decision from the Saudi Labor court that ordered their employer, Al Swayeh Company, to pay the OFWs unpaid wages, and end of service benefits.

“The 98 OFWs, with the support of their kin in the Philippines and Migrante-Saudi Arabia, have had a good fight and did not give up standing for their rights,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

Monterona added if not of the active participation of the 98 OFWs who have staged several protest actions such as stopping their work, and a 1-day hunger strike to press the Philippine Labor officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to closely follow their case, then their victory could have been delayed further and would not get the attention of Saudi authorities. http://migranteme.blogspot.com/2012/02/89-saudi-ofws-on-stop-work-protest-vs.html

In fact, Monterona noted the Pakistanis, Indians, and migrants of other nationalities have already been paid of their entitlements and some were repatriated home ahead of the OFWs because of their respective embassies prompt assistance given to them.

Monterona said, ‘We are seeking clarification to Riyadh-based Labor Attache Albert Valenciano who have sent his report to DoLE secretary Baldoz that the OFWs have already received a total of Saudi Rials 1,090,785 (roughly P12,281,729), whereas the OFWs are expecting to receive a little more than 3-M Saudi rials as per their overall computations.”

“Notably, there is a big discrepancy to the amount in which the OFWs are expecting to receive than what their Saudi company has already given them. We want this to be followed up closely by POLO-Riyadh,” Monterona averred.

Monterona said most of the 98 OFWs conveyed their plea to be repatriated as soon as they have received their rightful unpaid salaries and end of service benefits.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

--

Let me share this: If a writer is so cautious that he never writes anything that cannot be criticized, he will never be able to write anything that can be read. If you want to help other people you have got to make up your mind to write things that some men will condemn. – Thomas Merton

Nobody Home?, OFW group asks who’s heading DFA’s Migrant Workers Affairs office

Press Release

29 August 2012

Nobody Home?

OFW group asks who’s heading DFA’s Migrant Workers Affairs office

Migrante Legal assistance campaign file photo

The Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) today asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who is heading its Migrant Workers Affairs division, noting that there had been no appointment yet of an undersecretary who will supposed to replace Esteban Conejos, Jr. as then the undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs.

On February 2012, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III appointed DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos, Jr., head then of the Office the Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA, as the country’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

On March 14, 2012, Usec. Conejos appointment as Philippine permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was unanimously approved by the Commission on Appointments, with a rank of Chief of Mission, Class 1 in the roll of officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“Technically speaking since the appointment of Mr. Conejos as PH permanent representative to the WTO been approved by the CA, the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) was left with no official head who shall be responsible to administer the legal assistance program and services of the DFA,” said John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East.

Monterona added DFA’s OUMWA performs vital functions for the provision and over-all coordination of all legal assistance services to Filipino Migrant Workers as well as Overseas Filipinos in distress as stated on the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) (Sec.1, Rule IX) of the amended Migrant Workers Act or RA10022.

He also cited Sec.2, Rule IX of the RA10022 IRR, which states the qualification of the person who will head the OUMWA and the appointing authority that states, “The Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs shall be headed by a lawyer of proven competence in the field of law with at least ten (10) years experience as a legal practitioner and who must not have been a candidate to an elective office in the last local or national elections. He/she shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. He/she shall have the title, rank, salary, and privileges of an Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, and shall head the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (OUMWA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“We could not understand why until now, 5 months after its vacancy, there is no undersecretary to head the DFA’s OUMWA to be appointed by the President being the appointing authority. This will explain why the legal assistance program and services of the government to distress OFWs was an utter failure,” Monterona averred.

During a House budget hearings, no less than Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Albert Del Rosario confirmed that P52.2 million of the legal assistance fund under the care of his department remained unspent. He added that only P7.78 million was used.

The DFA chief revealed that only 196 overseas workers had availed themselves of the fund from 2011 to August 2012.

“So, it was no surprise that DFA-OUMWA could not render effective and efficient legal assistance program and services to distress OFWs primarily because nobody’s in-charge to take the responsibilities of the said office,” Monterona averred.

The OFW leader calls on DFA secretary Albert Del Rosario to submit a list of nominees for the consideration of PNoy, ‘so that the latter could immediately appoint and fill the vacant position that is of importance to us, OFWs, especially to thousands of distress OFWs.’

“We urge PNoy to immediately appoint a person with the same qualities of Sec. Robredo, if not at least a person who could deliver honest-to-goodness public service and have a big heart or genuine concern for OFWs,” Monterona adding, ‘certainly, not the like of Conejos who performed poorly during his term. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

--

Let me share this: If a writer is so cautious that he never writes anything that cannot be criticized, he will never be able to write anything that can be read. If you want to help other people you have got to make up your mind to write things that some men will condemn. – Thomas Merton

Saudi OFWs cautioned amid foiled ‘terrorist’ plots

Press Release

27 August 2012

Saudi OFWs cautioned amid foiled ‘terrorist’ plots

Women OFWs in Saudi Arabia (Migrante filephoto)

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should take extra care, warned by a Filipino migrants’ rights group after Saudi Arabia’s news agency on Sunday revealed that local authorities have arrested ‘terrorist’ elements plotting to attack Saudi establishments and civilians in Saudi’s capital Riyadh.

An Associated Press (AP) news report cited the Saudi Press Agency quoting an unidentified official of the Saudi Interior Ministry who confirmed that there were six (6) Yemenis who were arrested after they allegedly ‘prepared explosives and experimented with them outside Riyadh’.

“We seldom heard such kind of reports coming from Saudi authorities. But whether it is true or not, OFWs and their families in Saudi Arabia should take extra care just like the local Saudis,” said Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Monterona, however, clarified that they would not like to sound alarmist, noting “Saudi Arabia is known to have a very strict immigration policies and an enhanced internal security measures after separate incidents of bombing took place in Riyadh sometime on 2000, and May 2003, respectively, at a compound killing altogether 35 people and 160 wounded including expatriate workers.”

“Even if it would mean restraint in movement by avoiding, as much as we could, to going into public places and establishments, let’s us do so for our safety,” Monterona averred.

Monterona cited a popular quote by an anonymous author that says, “Caution is not cowardly,” adding that OFWs have nothing to lose if they instill consciousness in taking extra care wherever they go and whatever they do.

There are an estimated 1.2-M Filipinos working all over Saudi Arabia, and consistently the No.1 destination of OFWs.

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

--

Let me share this: If a writer is so cautious that he never writes anything that cannot be criticized, he will never be able to write anything that can be read. If you want to help other people you have got to make up your mind to write things that some men will condemn. – Thomas Merton

"Reassess evacuation and repatriation plan regularly"

Press Release

25 August 2012

"Reassess evacuation and repatriation plan regularly"

Group twits Foreign Affairs department over ‘relatively safe’ remark of Filipinos in Syrian capital

Migrante campaign 'Evacuation and Repatriation of OFWs from Syria', file photo

“There could be no safer place in a country besieged of civil war where there are intense hostilities”, thus said today by a Filipino migrants rights group in the Middle East in reaction to the remark issued by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Filipinos were ‘relatively safe’ in Damascus, Syria’s capital.

On Friday in a public interview, DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez citing a report from its Damascus-based Charge de Affaires Alfredo M. Borlonga, said Filipinos in the Philippine Embassy in Damascus were relatively safe. He, however, added that there were clashes and explosions 10kilometers away from where the PH embassy is located.

There are 160 OFWs now at the Philippine Embassy in Damascus, while there are about 1,300 from all over Syria who have enlisted seeking assistance for evacuation and repatriation from the PH government, according to the DFA.

“It makes no sense in saying that OFWs in Damascus were ‘relatively safe’, in a place where rocket propel grenades and bullets are crisscrossing bearing an unwritten note ‘to whom it may concern’, which means everyone could be hit, unintentionally or being as a target,”said John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of Migrante-Middle East.

Monterona added the ‘relatively safe’ remark by the DFA is misleading in its vain attempt to justify its own failure. “The evacuation and repatriation efforts of the PH government were in disarray especially in the earlier stage before the Syrian civil war broke out.”

“The DFA’s ‘relatively safe’ remark was a by-product of a ‘wait and see’ stance of the PH government, which is systemic in the entire PH bureaucracy. We may add the ‘11^th hour’ rush mentality,” Monterona observed.

Monterona averred that these ‘relatively safe’ remark, ‘wait and see stance’, and the ‘11^th hour rush’, also common negative attributes observed to ordinary Filipinos, must be eradicated in the Philippine bureaucracy in order to have an ‘efficient, effective, and even economical’ government.

Monterona noted that the imposition of mandatory evacuation was too late because of the failure of the PH officials in Damascus to immediately act, read and analyze the development of events in Syria leading to civil war.

“The PH govt. evacuation and repatriation program for OFWs in Syria was poorly planned just like during the Libya upheaval,” the OFW leader added.

Monterona suggested the PH government through the DFA must require its diplomatic posts abroad to reassess their evacuation and repatriation plan regularly as often as possible while keeping updated on the peace and order situation in the host country.

“The repatriation must continue not only during civil war or calamities as there are undocumented who have voluntarily applied for repatriation.”

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

Stakeholders’ empowerment: Group asks Philhealth to consult OFWs about proposed health insurance claims via internet; says it’s ‘not a new idea but worth pursuing’

Press Release

22 August 2012

Stakeholders’ empowerment

Group asks Philhealth to consult OFWs about proposed health insurance claims via internet; says it’s ‘not a new idea but worth pursuing’

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East Wednesday welcomed the idea of having a system on health insurance claims for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) using the internet as a medium but doubt the feasibility of the said proposal by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or popularly known as Philhealth.

On Wednesday, Philhealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Eduardo Banzon issued a statement saying that the government premier insurance corporation has a ‘plan to install by next year a system that will allow OFWs to simply submit online their individual claims for repayment.’

Reacting to the said Philhealth plan, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said, “This is not a new idea as this was proposed long time ago, nevertheless it is worth pursuing. However, we could not easily say it is feasible unless we have seen the details of the implementing mechanism of the proposed OFWs health insurance claims via internet.”

Monterona suggested that the Philhealth, to practice participatory management, must conduct extensive consultations among OFWs and the various Filipino communities abroad as primary stakeholders and even their dependents back home.

“Most of the OFWs now are internet savvy aside from OFWs who are IT professionals and experts. They may have better ideas that would lead to a highly feasible and OFW-friendly health-insurance-claims system via internet,” Monterona added.

Monterona cited the verification and authentication of the medical abstract, certificates, receipts and other related documents, which he said could not be done via internet.

“If Philhealth would require the submission of the original medical documentary requirements to OFWs kin or dependents in the Philippines, then our OFWs would spend an amount to send these documents by courier, which imply an added expense or cost,” Monterona noted.

“The plan to have an online-health-insurance-claims system could not rationalize the illegal, unjustifiable, added-burden, and anti-OFW health insurance premium increases on succeeding years from 2012 and 2013,” Monterona averred.

Monterona dares the Philhealth managers to be transparent on the real Philhealth financial status by publicly publishing its financial statement.

The OFW leader also scores PNoy and his presidential adviser on OFWs concern Vice President Jejomar Binay for not even asking Philhealth a justification why it needs to increase OFWs health premium.

“If PNoy does not want to overburden us, OFWs and dependents, then he should have question Philhealth imposition of increasing OFWs health insurance premium through his Department of Health secretary who chairs Philhealth Board of Directors,” Monterona added.

Monterona clarified that their group has an on-going protest against Philhealth imposition increasing OFWs annual premium from the previous P900 to P1,200 effective January 1, 2012 and will be doubled to P2,400 at the start of 2013.

“We will intensify our campaign against this illegal, unreasonable, only an added-burden Philhealth insurance premium,” he concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

M-ME on Sec. Robredo's demise: OFWs condole with Robredos

August 21, 2012

M-ME on Sec. Robredo's demise: OFWs condole with Robredos

A very sad day to the whole Filipino nation including We, OFWs abroad and families, as Philippine authorities earlier confirmed that the lifeless body of Sec. Robredo was retrieved off Masbate waters. 

Migrante-ME members & officers, and our families join the Filipino nation in mourning the loss of Sec.Robredo, a genuine public servant, one of a kind. 

We extend our condolences to his wife & children, relatives & friends, and to all the people of Naga and the rest of Bicol.

We echo the call of other groups to let him rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. His public life, works & good deed are enough reasons to qualify that his remains be laid at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He has done a heroic act in modelling what a good public servant is.

Salamat Sec. Jesse!

For and in behalf of Migrante-Middle East,

(Sgd) John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

OFW group seeks VP Binay’s attention over P14-M OFW shelter unpaid lease rental in Saudi Arabia

Press Release

21 August 2012

OFW group seeks VP Binay’s attention over P14-M OFW shelter unpaid lease rental in Saudi Arabia

A Filipino migrants’ rights group in the Middle East today seeks the attention of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concern, over the 1.3-M Saudi rials (roughly equivalent to P14.5-M) unpaid lease rental of an OFW shelter in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

On a letter dated August 21, 2012 addressed to the Vice President, Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said, ‘We wrote to seek your assistance about the subject matter’ for and in behalf of the undocumented Saudi OFWs who have sought Migrante’s assistance for repatriation.

Monterona stated in his letter to VP Binay that there are at least 7,000 undocumented OFWs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia who have listed up to avail the government’s voluntary repatriation program as of July 2012.

“The 7,000 undocumented were mostly run away due to various labor malpractices forcing them to abscond from their respective employers and are temporarily seeking refuge from their OFW relatives and friends, noting that harboring an absconder is punishable under Saudi immigration laws,” Monterona added.

The PHL consulate started renting the shelter in Al-Mina hajj terminal sometime October 2010 when it started the mass repatriation of undocumented OFWs who have camped out under the Khandera bridge in Jeddah.

“Because of this unpaid lease rental and due to the demand for payment of the lease rental by the Saudi immigration authorities that manage the Al-Mina hajj terminal, the PHL consulate in Jeddah was forced to stop since July 2011 renting the villa-type building that serves as temporary shelter for undocumented OFWs who have opted to avail voluntary repatriation while the PHL consulate is processing the formalities of OFWs repatriation,” Monterona adding that the undocumented OFWs who ‘surrendered’ for voluntary repatriation especially those coming from outside Jeddah are having problem where to stay while awaiting the formalities of their repatriation

Monterona added that he raised this concern to DFA Usec. Rafael Seguis, who promptly replied and assured him that the latter will arrange to call OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon to find ways to settle this issue as per previous commitment given by then DoLE secretary Marianito Roque.

The OFW leader also confirmed that OWWA head Dimzon confirmed to him last week via an electronic mail that she indeed had already spoke with Usec. Seguis regarding this concern but will only act upon a formal letter request from the latter.

“The at least 7,000 undocumented OFWs who wanted to avail the government’s voluntary repatriation program will be more than thankful for your assistance to arrange in promptly attending this OFWs concern as we urge the concerned PH government agencies to effect a swift and efficient mass repatriation of undocumented OFWs in Saudi Arabia,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

Group calls on govt. agencies to provide assistance to OFW whose wife, children were massacred in Bulacan

Press Release

18 August 2012

Group calls on govt. agencies to provide assistance to OFW whose wife, children were massacred in Bulacan

A migrants’ rights group today calls on concerned Philippine government agencies to provide assistance to an Italy-based overseas Filipino worker (OFW) whose father-in-law, his wife and two children were massacred early Thursday morning in a village in Balagtas, Bulacan.

Citing police reports, the victims were identified as Rodrigo Roque, 77, his daughter Cristina Roque Santa Ana, 42, and her children Corine Joy, 12, and Christian, 10.

Police investigators believed that the motive might be robbery but puzzled since there were no indications of forced entry of the perpetrators into the victims’ house.

“As we extend our condolences to our fellow OFW and his relatives, we condemned the gruesome killings of his wife, children, and father in-law. It’s really shocking and painful for an OFW rushing to fly home only to see the lifeless bodies of his loved ones,” said Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, who is also from Bulacan.

Monterona added that Philippine authorities, by all means, headed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) must conduct hot pursuit operation against these ruthless criminals and put them behind bars, then an appropriate case must swiftly be filed.

Monterona also calls on the concerned government agencies to provide assistance to the OFW.

“We call on the concerned Philippine government agencies to provide to our fellow OFW the needed assistance, legal and financial, as well as burial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA),” Monterona added.

Monterona noted that this is not the first time that OFW families have been victimized by coldblooded criminals.

“OFW families, in the absence of either the father or the mother or even both, become an easy target of criminals. The authorities, the local police and Barangay officials, must provide protection to OFW families and children by improving and intensifying its anti-crime operations within the OFW communities under its jurisdiction,” Monterona ended. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

Group lauds PAG-IBIG move to open calamity loan to OFWs kin, but insists on reimplementation of OWWA financial assistance program

Press Release

16 August 2012

Group lauds PAG-IBIG move to open calamity loan to OFWs kin, but insists on reimplementation of OWWA financial assistance program

A migrants’ rights group based in the Middle East lauded the move by the Home Mutual Development Fund, popularly known as PAG-IBIG, opening the calamity loan to the kin of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) living in areas declared under the state of calamity due to floods.

On a press release dated August 15, Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concern, said that ‘OFWs with families living in areas under a state of calamity may apply for the Home Development Mutual Fund’s (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund) calamity loan.’

“Ang lahat ng mga OFW na aktibong miyembro ng Pag-IBIG Fund na may 24 buwang kontribusyon at nakatira sa mga lugar na idineklarang under state of calamity ay pwedeng kumuha ng calamity loan,” Binay stated on a statement issued by OVP Media.

The vice president specified the basic requirements so that kin of OFWs may avail the PAG-IBIG calamity loan with a lowered interest rate of 5.95 percent from 10.75% such as the minimum 24 months contributions, must present 2 valid IDs, and a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) issued by the OFW to his or her kin in the Philippines. The OFW or his or her kin may apply at PAG-IBIG branch where he or she is remitting the contributions.

Reacting to this, M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said: “We, OFWs and our dependents, appreciate the PAG-IBIG move to allow our kin in the Philippines to apply for a calamity loan. The lowered interest rate is also a timely aid especially to OFW kin whose houses and properties have been flooded.”

According to M-ME, citing monitoring reports from Migrante provincial and municipal chapters in the Philippines, there are at least 200,000 OFW families that were affected by floods due to monsoon rains that pounded Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and in Northern Luzon.

“Based on our monitoring, there are at least 200,000 OFW families in Metro Manila that were forced to leave their houses due to floods and temporarily staying in various evacuation centers,” Monterona said.

Monterona added that a significant number of OFWs in the Middle East sought assistance from their group after their kin in Metro Manila and nearby provinces informed of their dire situation.

“The affected OFW families living in areas under the state of calamity really need assistance. Thus, we are calling Pres. Aquino III to instruct the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to reimplement the defunct OWWA general financial assistance program or GFAP,” Monterona added.

Monterona noted that the GFAP was stopped, among other programs and services, when OWWA implemented the OWWA Omnibus Policies on 2004 during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

He added that the GFAP would provide quick economic relief in a form of cash to OFW families in time of calamities. “OFWs who are OWWA-members should easily avail GFAP in support of their families in the Philippines,” Monterona averred.

Monterona noted that the OFWs trust fund, held in trust to the government care of OWWA, is estimated to have reached P13-B, pooled from individual OFW membership fee of US$25.

Monterona said only US$2 or .08 percent of the US$25 OFW membership fee is spent for OFWs direct services and programs. “The budget allocated for OFWs direct services and programs is a pittance, a reflection on how meager the government’s programs and services to OFWs and their dependents.”

Meanwhile, on August 13, a composite team from Migrante International home office, Migrante Sectoral Party (MSP) and its provincial chapter in Laguna offered relief goods to 470 families in Brgy. San Jose, Binan, Laguna, Monterona citing report from MSP-Laguna provincial coordinator Kenneth David.

Last week, ‘Sagip Migrante’ team was in Angono, Rizal, providing relief goods to about 200 families.

“Migrante will continue its ‘Sagip Migrante’ relief operations. It will proceed in areas where there are families, including OFWs dependents, affected by the flood. Our ‘Sagip Migrante’ fund drive is still on-going and we will be glad to receive donations from our fellow OFWs and their organizations abroad,” Monterona ended.

Donations may be deposited to Sagip Migrante's bank account.

Account name: Migrante International

Bank of the Philippines Islands, Kalayaan Branch

Savings Account No. 1993-0859-16

Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

For details please email migrante2007@yahoo.com.ph or text or call 911-4910 (landline), 0932-7043274 (mobile).

Relief goods may also be sent to Migrante International’s Home Office: #45 Cambridge St, Cubao, Quezon City

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112

Group slams PNoy admin over untapped OFWs legal fund amid numerous request for assistance

Press Release

15 August 2012

Group slams PNoy admin over untapped OFWs legal fund amid numerous request for assistance

Migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) slammed the Aquino III administration over the untapped legal fund amid the surge of distress overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who need assistance, legal and other related services, saying ‘such constitute a highest form of government neglect’ and ‘the government legal assistance program to OFWs is a failure!”

On Monday during a House budget hearing, no less than Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Albert Del Rosario confirmed that P52.2 million of the legal assistance fund under the care of his department remained unspent. He added that only P7.78 million was used because of the limitations to the amount imposed by the Migrant Workers Act.

The DFA chief revealed that only 196 overseas workers had availed themselves of the fund from 2011 to August 2012.

Reacting to this, M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said his group won’t totally buy the DFA official’s explanation.

“We beg to disagree with the good secretary (referring to DFA Sec. Del Rosario). His agency, being part of the Executive branch, is primarily responsible to implement a provision of the Migrant Workers Act especially about the legal assistance program and the administration of a corresponding fund allotted for that purpose,” Monterona said.

Monterona added that amid the surge of distress OFWs asking for legal assistance, it is prudent that the legal fund must be utilized to provide effective and efficient services to distress OFWs who are facing charges and those who have filed cases to seek for redress.

“Obviously, it’s not a question of having no fund. It is a question of a properly allotted government fund not being utilized. And it showed the government’s ineffectiveness and inefficiency in handling the legal assistance program, which is a failure!” Monterona added.

“Every time the kin of distress OFWs go to DFA-OUMWA to ask for legal assistance, they were told there’s no fund or the OFW case would not qualify for the granting of legal assistance,” Monterona noted.

Monterona cited for instance the request of the kin of OFWs on death row in Saudi Arabia. “As to our count, there are 8 of them on death row, aside from more than a thousand in jail charge of petty crimes some of them victim of trumped up charges, requesting legal assistance specifically a local lawyer who would defend and represent them in court. We do not know if their request for legal assistance were already granted.”

Monterona added: “Granting that there is limitation imposed by the law on the amount to be used depending on the nature of legal assistance asked, the DFA should have long been recommended the amendment of that provision of the Migrant Workers Act.”

“The Migrant Workers Act does not specifically imposed limitation on the amount of legal assistance, it is rather its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) that was crafted and subsequently approved by the DFA and other concerned agencies involved in the crafting of the IRR,”Monterona added.

Monterona, however, agrees to the DFA chief’s proposal to review the limitation on the amount of fund to be used that he said must be on the top to-do list of the department.

“The primary consideration is to provide efficient and effective legal aid to thousands distress OFWs by fully utilizing the allotted fund. In fact, we are campaigning for additional funds so as more distress OFWs will be given legal assistance,” Monterona concluded. # # #

Reference:

John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator

Migrante-Middle East

Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565 / 0063 923 420 0112