Cuts in DFA budget should not lead to cuts in OFW services — solon By Charlie V. Manalo 09/10/2010

Cuts in DFA budget should not lead to cuts in OFW services — solon
By Charlie V. Manalo
09/10/2010

Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan raised much concern over the increasing number of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and the obvious lack of efficient mechanism to address their needs amid cuts on the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) budget.

“How exactly is the Department of Foreign Affairs going to cope with the growing needs of distressed migrants abroad?” Ilagan asked.

According to Ilagan there is an estimated 5,000 OFWs languishing in jails, 108 of them in death row, all in need of legal assistance aside from the several thousands more in need of immediate repatriation after escaping abusive employers.

“That the number of distressed OFWs has grown to such magnitude is an indication that the DFA is acting rather sluggishly on these problems.”

The Gabriela solon noted that the DFA budget has consistently decreased from P14.4B in 2009 to P12.7B in 2010 and 10.9B in 2011.

“In effect this can and will result to cuts in the funds for legal assistance, repatriation and assistance for the families of migrant workers,” said Ilagan “President Noynoy Aquino must realize that protection and service for migrant workers must be a priority especially as his administration is obviously bent on continuing the policy of exporting human resources.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20100910nat6.html