REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042 REPUBLIC ACT No.

10022
Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO.8042, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE MIGRANTWORKERS AND OVERSEASFILIPINOS ACT OF 1995, AS
AMENDED, FURTHER IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF PROTECTION
AND PROMOTION OF THEWELFARE OF MIGRANTWORKERS,THEIR
FAMILIES AND OVERSEASFILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
An act to institute the policies of overseas employment and establish a higher standard of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
protection and promotion of the welfare of migrant workers, their families and overseas
Filipinos in distress, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:
Section 1. Paragraphs (a), (e), (g) and (h) of Section 2 of Republic Act. No. 8042, as amended,
SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE. - This act shall be known and cited as the "Migrant Workers and
otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, is hereby
Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995."
amended to read as follows:

SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICIES--

(a) In the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and while considering national
sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination
(a) In the pursuit of an independent foreign policy and while considering national sovereignty, paramount in its relations with other states, the State shall, at all times, uphold the dignity of
territorial integrity, national interest and the right to self-determination paramount in its its citizens whether in country or overseas, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, in
relations with other states, the State shall, at all times, uphold the dignity of its citizens particular, continuously monitor international conventions, adopt/be signatory to and ratify
whether in country or overseas, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, in particular. those that guarantee protection to our migrant workers, and endeavor to enter into bilateral
agreements with countries hosting overseas Filipino workers.
(b) The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and
unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.
Towards this end, the State shall provide adequate and timely social, economic and legal
services to Filipino migrant workers.

(c) While recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the national
economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State does not promote overseas
employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development. The
existence of the overseas employment program rests solely on the assurance that the dignity
and fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizens shall not, at any time, be
compromised or violated. The State, therefore, shall continuously create local employment
opportunities and promote the equitable distribution of wealth and the benefits of
development.

(d) The State affirms the fundamental equality before the law of women and men and the
significant role of women in nation-building. Recognizing the contribution of overseas migrant
women workers and their particular vulnerabilities, the State shall apply gender sensitive
criteria in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs affecting migrant
workers and the composition of bodies tasked for the welfare of migrant workers.

(e) Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not (e) Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall
be denied to any persons by reason of poverty. In this regard, it is imperative that an not be denied to any person by reason of poverty. In this regard, it is imperative that an
effective mechanism be instituted to ensure that the rights and interest of distressed overseas effective mechanism be instituted to ensure that the rights and interest of distressed overseas
Filipinos, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, in particular, documented or Filipinos, in general, and Filipino migrant workers, in particular, whether regular/documented
undocumented, are adequately protected and safeguarded. or irregular/undocumented, are adequately protected and safeguarded.

(f) The right of Filipino migrant workers and all overseas Filipinos to participate in the
democratic decision-making processes of the State and to be represented in institutions
relevant to overseas employment is recognized and guaranteed.

(g) The State recognizes that the ultimate protection to all migrant workers is the possession
(g) The State recognizes that the most effective tool for empowerment is the possession of
of skills. Pursuant to this and as soon as practicable, the government shall deploy and/or
skills by migrant workers. The government shall provide them free and accessible skills
allow the deployment only to skilled Filipino workers.
development and enhancement programs. Pursuant to this and as soon as practicable, the
government shall deploy and/or allow the deployment only of skilled Filipino workers.
(h) Non-governmental organizations, duly recognized as legitimate, are partners of the State
in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and in the promotion of their welfare, the State
shall cooperate with them in a spirit of trust and mutual respect. (h) The State recognizes non-governmental organizations, trade unions, workers associations,
stakeholders and their similar entities duly recognized as legitimate, are partners of the State
in the protection of Filipino migrant workers and in the promotion of their welfare. The State
(I) Government fees and other administrative costs of recruitment, introduction, placement
shall cooperate with them in a spirit of trust and mutual respect. The significant contribution
and assistance to migrant workers shall be rendered free without prejudice to the provision of of recruitment and manning agencies shall from part this partnership.
Section 36 hereof.

Nonetheless, the deployment of Filipino overseas workers, whether land-based or sea-based

by local service contractors and manning agencies employing them shall be encouraged.
Appropriate incentives may be extended to them. Section 2. Section 3, paragraph (a) of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended
to read as follows:
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. - For purposes of this Act:
(a) Overseas Filipino worker refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has
(a) "Migrant worker" refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a citizen or on
in a renumerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a legal resident to be used board a vessel navigating the foreign seas other than a government ship used for miliatry or
interchangeably with overseas Filipino worker. non-commercial purposes or on an installation located offshore or on the high seas; to be used
interchangeably with migrant worker.
(b) "Gender-sensitivity" shall mean cognizance of the inequalities and inequities prevalent in
society between women and men and a commitment to address issues with concern for the
respective interests of the sexes.

(c) "Overseas Filipinos" refers to dependents of migrant workers and other Filipino nationals
abroad who are in distress as mentioned in Sections 24 and 26 of this Act.

I. DEPLOYMENT Section 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
SEC. 4. Deployment of Migrant Workers - The State shall deploy overseas Filipino workers only follows:
in countries where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected. The government
recognizes any of the following as guarantee on the part of the receiving country for the SEC. 4. Deployment of Migrant Workers. The State shall allow the deployment of overseas
protection and the rights of overseas Filipino workers: Filipino workers only in countries where the rights of Filipino migrant workers are protected.
The government recognizes any of the following as a guarantee on the part of the receiving
(a) It has existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of migrant workers; country for the protection of the rights of overseas Filipino workers:

(a) It has existing labor and social laws protecting the rights of workers, including migrant
workers;
(b) It is a signatory to multilateral conventions, declaration or resolutions relating to the
protection of migrant workers; (b) It is a signatory to and/or a ratifier of multilateral conventions, declarations or
resolutions relating to the protection of workers, including migrant workers; and
(c) It has concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement with the government protecting the
rights of overseas Filipino workers; and (c) It has concluded a bilateral agreement or arrangement with the government on the
protection of the rights of overseas Filipino Workers:
(d) It is taking positive, concrete measures to protect the rights of migrant workers.
Provided, That the receiving country is taking positive, concrete measures to protect the
{Note: sub par. d, has been amended and the duty and obligations of the POEA are rights of migrant workers in furtherance of any of the guarantees under subparagraphs (a), (b)
defined along with their liabilities for non compliance.} and (c) hereof.

In the absence of a clear showing that any of the aforementioned guarantees exists in the
country of destination of the migrant workers, no permit for deployment shall be issued by
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

The members of the POEA Governing Board who actually voted in favor of an order allowing
the deployment of migrant workers without any of the aforementioned guarantees shall suffer
the penalties of removal or dismissal from service with disqualification to hold any appointive
public office for five (5) years, Further, the government official or employee responsible for
the issuance of the permit or for allowing the deployment of migrant workers in violation of
this section and in direct contravention of an order by the POEA Governing Board prohibiting
deployment shall be meted the same penalties in this section.

For this purpose, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through its foreign posts, shall issue a
certification to the POEA, specifying therein the pertinent provisions of the receiving
countrys labor/social law, or the convention/declaration/resolution, or the bilateral
agreement/arrangement which protect the rights of migrant workers.

The State shall also allow the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to vessels navigating
the foreign seas or to installations located offshore or on high seas whose owners/employers
are compliant with international laws and standards that protect the rights of migrant
workers.

The State shall likewise allow the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to companies and
 contractors with international operations: Provided, That they are compliant with standards,
conditions and requirements, as embodied in the employment contracts prescribed by the
POEA and in accordance with internationally-accepted standards.

Section 4. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
SEC. 5. TERMINATION OR BAN ON DEPLOYMENT - Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4
hereof, the government in pursuit of the national interest or when public welfare so requires, SEC. 5. Termination or Ban on Deployment. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4
may, at any time, terminate or impose a ban on the deployment of migrant workers. hereof, in pursuit of the national interest or when public welfare so requires,{Note: More
Specific} the POEA Governing Board, after consultation with the Department of Foreign
II. ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT Affairs, may, at any time, terminate or impose a ban on the deployment of migrant workers.

Section 5. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 6. DEFINITIONS. - For purposes of this Act, illegal recruitment shall mean any act of
canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring, procuring workers and SEC. 6. Definition. For purposes of this Act, illegal recruitment shall mean any act of
includes referring, contact services, promising or advertising for employment abroad, whether canvassing, enlisting, contracting, transporting, utilizing, hiring, or procuring workers and
for profit or not, when undertaken by a non-license or non-holder of authority contemplated includes referring, contract services, promising or advertising for employment abroad,
under Article 13(f) of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor whether for profit or not, when undertaken by non-licensee or non-holder of authority
Code of the Philippines. Provided, that such non-license or non-holder, who, in any manner, contemplated under Article 13(f) of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise
offers or promises for a fee employment abroad to two or more persons shall be deemed so known as the Labor Code of the Philippines: Provided, That any such non-licensee or non-
engaged. It shall likewise include the following acts, whether committed by any persons, holder who, in any manner, offers or promises for a fee employment abroad to two or more
whether a non-licensee, non-holder, licensee or holder of authority. persons shall be deemed so engaged. It shall likewise include the following acts, whether
committed by any person, whether a non-licensee, non-holder, licensee or holder of
(a) To charge or accept directly or indirectly any amount greater than the specified in the authority:
schedule of allowable fees prescribed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment, or to make
a worker pay any amount greater than that actually received by him as a loan or advance; (a) To charge or accept directly or indirectly any amount greater than that specified in the
schedule of allowable fees prescribed by the Secretary of Labor and Employment, or to make
a worker pay or acknowledge any amount greater than that actually received by him as a loan
or advance;
(b) To furnish or publish any false notice or information or document in relation to
recruitment or employment; (b) To furnish or publish any false notice or information or document in relation to
recruitment or employment;
(c) To give any false notice, testimony, information or document or commit any act of
misrepresentation for the purpose of securing a license or authority under the Labor Code; (c) To give any false notice, testimony, information or document or commit any act of
misrepresentation for the purpose of securing a license or authority under the Labor Code, or
for the purpose of documenting hired workers with the POEA, which include the act of
reprocessing workers through a job order that pertains to nonexistent work, work different
(d) To induce or attempt to induce a worker already employed to quit his employment in from the actual overseas work, or work with a different employer whether registered or not
order to offer him another unless the transfer is designed to liberate a worker from oppressive with the POEA; {Note: POAEs obligation to protect illegal recruitment is defined}
terms and conditions of employment; (d) To include or attempt to induce a worker already employed to quit his employment in
order to offer him another unless the transfer is designed to liberate a worker from oppressive
terms and conditions of employment;

(e) To influence or attempt to influence any persons or entity not to employ any worker who (e) To influence or attempt to influence any person or entity not to employ any worker who
has not applied for employment through his agency; has not applied for employment through his agency or who has formed, joined or supported,
or has contacted or is supported by any union or workers organization;

(f) To engage in the recruitment or placement of workers in jobs harmful to public health or
(f) To engage in the recruitment of placement of workers in jobs harmful to public health or morality or to the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines;
morality or to dignity of the Republic of the Philippines;
{Note: Par. (g) of RA 8042 has been erased}
(g) To obstruct or attempt to obstruct inspection by the Secretary of Labor and Employment
or by his duly authorized representative;

(h) To fail to submit reports on the status of employment, placement vacancies, remittances (h) To fail to submit reports on the status of employment, placement vacancies, remittance
of foreign exchange earnings, separations from jobs, departures and such other matters or of foreign exchange earnings, separation from jobs, departures and such other matters or
information as may be required by the Secretary of Labor and Employment; information as may be required by the Secretary of Labor and Employment;

(i) To substitute or alter to the prejudice of the worker, employment contracts approved and (i) To substitute or alter to the prejudice of the worker, employment contracts approved and
verified by the Department of Labor and Employment from the time of actual signing thereof verified by the Department of Labor and Employment from the time of actual signing thereof
by the parties up to and including the period of the expiration of the same without the by the parties up to and including the period of the expiration of the same without the
approval of the Department of Labor and Employment; approval of the Department of Labor and Employment;

(j) For an officer or agent of a recruitment or placement agency to become an officer or (j) For an officer or agent of a recruitment or placement agency to become an officer or
member of the Board of any corporation engaged in travel agency or to be engaged directly member of the Board of any corporation engaged in travel agency or to be engaged directly or
on indirectly in the management of a travel agency; indirectly in the management of travel agency;

(k) To withhold or deny travel documents from applicant workers before departure for
(k) To withhold or deny travel documents from applicant workers before departure for
monetary or financial considerations other than those authorized under the Labor Code and its
monetary or financial considerations, or for any other reasons, other than those authorized
implementing rules and regulations;
under the Labor Code and its implementing rules and regulations;

(l) Failure to actually deploy without valid reasons as determined by the Department of Labor
and Employment; and (l) Failure to actually deploy a contracted worker without valid reason as determined by the
Department of Labor and Employment;
(m) Failure to reimburse expenses incurred by the workers in connection with his
documentation and processing for purposes of deployment, in cases where the deployment (m) Failure to reimburse expenses incurred by the worker in connection with his
does not actually take place without the worker's fault. Illegal recruitment when committed documentation and processing for purposes of deployment, in cases where the deployment
by a syndicate or in large scale shall be considered as offense involving economic sabotage. does not actually take place without the workers fault. Illegal recruitment when committed
by a syndicate or in large scale shall be considered an offense involving economic sabotage;
and
Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate carried out by a group of three (3) or
more persons conspiring or confederating with one another. It is deemed committed in large
scale if committed against three (3) or more persons individually or as a group.

The persons criminally liable for the above offenses are the principals, accomplices and
accessories. In case of juridical persons, the officers having control, management or direction
of their business shall be liable. {Note: Par. (n), has been added. This defines prohibited acts, in addition to the acts
enumerated above.}

(n) To allow a non-Filipino citizen to head or manage a licensed recruitment/manning

agency.

Illegal recruitment is deemed committed by a syndicate if carried out by a group of three (3)
or more persons conspiring or confederating with one another. It is deemed committed in
large scale if committed against three (3) or more persons individually or as a group.

In addition to the acts enumerated above, it shall also be unlawful for any person or entity
to commit the following prohibited acts:

(1) Grant a loan to an overseas Filipino worker with interest exceeding eight percent (8%) per
annum, which will be used for payment of legal and allowable placement fees and make the
migrant worker issue, either personally or through a guarantor or accommodation party,
postdated checks in relation to the said loan;

(2) Impose a compulsory and exclusive arrangement whereby an overseas Filipino worker is
required to avail of a loan only from specifically designated institutions, entities or persons;

(3) Refuse to condone or renegotiate a loan incurred by an overseas Filipino worker after the
latters employment contract has been prematurely terminated through no fault of his or her
own;

(4) Impose a compulsory and exclusive arrangement whereby an overseas Filipino worker is
required to undergo health examinations only from specifically designated medical clinics,
institutions, entities or persons, except in the case of a seafarer whose medical examination
cost is shouldered by the principal/shipowner;

(5) Impose a compulsory and exclusive arrangement whereby an overseas Filipino worker is
required to undergo training, seminar, instruction or schooling of any kind only from
specifically designated institutions, entities or persons, except fpr recommendatory trainings
mandated by principals/shipowners where the latter shoulder the cost of such trainings;

(6) For a suspended recruitment/manning agency to engage in any kind of recruitment

activity including the processing of pending workers applications; and
 (7) For a recruitment/manning agency or a foreign principal/employer to pass on the
overseas Filipino worker or deduct from his or her salary the payment of the cost of insurance
fees, premium or other insurance related charges, as provided under the compulsory workers
insurance coverage.

The persons criminally liable for the above offenses are the principals, accomplices and
accessories. In case of juridical persons, the officers having ownership, control, management
or direction of their business who are responsible for the commission of the offense and the
responsible employees/agents thereof shall be liable.

In the filing of cases for illegal recruitment or any of the prohibited acts under this section,
the Secretary of Labor and Employment, the POEA Administrator or their duly authorized
representatives, or any aggrieved person may initiate the corresponding criminal action with
the appropriate office. For this purpose, the affidavits and testimonies of operatives or
personnel from the Department of Labor and Employment, POEA and other law enforcement
agencies who witnessed the acts constituting the offense shall be sufficient to prosecute the
accused.

In the prosecution of offenses punishable under this section, the public prosecutors of the
Department of Justice shall collaborate with the anti-illegal recruitment branch of the POEA
and, in certain cases, allow the POEA lawyers to take the lead in the prosecution. The POEA
lawyers who act as prosecutors in such cases shall be entitled to receive additional allowances
as may be determined by the POEA Administrator.

The filing of an offense punishable under this Act shall be without prejudice to the filing of
cases punishable under other existing laws, rules or regulations.1avvphi1

Section 6. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
SEC. 7. PENALTIES -
SEC. 7. Penalties. -
(a) Any person found guilty of illegal recruitment shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of
not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years and a fine not (a) Any person found guilty of illegal recruitment shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of
less than two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) nor more than five hundred thousand not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day but not more than twenty (20) years and a fine
pesos (P500,000.00). of not less than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) nor more than Two million pesos
(P2,000,000.00). {Note: imprisonment from prision mayor to reclusion temporal} ang
(b) The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than five hundred thousand pesos haba!!!
(P500,000.00) nor more than one million pesos (P1,000,000.00) shall be imposed if illegal
recruitment constitutes economic sabotage as defined herein. (b) The penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Two million pesos
(P2,000,000.00) nor more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) shall be imposed if illegal
Provided, however, that the maximum penalty shall be imposed if the person illegally recruitment constitutes economic sabotage as defined therein.
recruited is less than eighteen (18) years of age or committed by a non-licensee or non-holder
Provided, however, That the maximum penalty shall be imposed if the person illegally
of authority. recruited is less than eighteen (18) years of age or committed by a non-licensee or non-holder
of authority.

{Note: New par. is added}

SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES. - Ot shall be unlawful for any official or
employee of the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Overseas Employment (c) Any person found guilty of any of the prohibited acts shall suffer the penalty of
Administration, or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, or the Department of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12)
Foreign Affairs, or other government agencies involved in the implementation of this Act, or years and a fine of not less than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) nor more than
their relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, to engage, directly One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).
or indirectly, in the business of recruiting migrant workers as defined in this Act. The
penalties shall be imposed upon them.
If the offender is an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties herein prescribed, be
deported without further proceedings.
SEC. 9. VENUE. - A criminal action arising from illegal recruitment as defined herein shall be
filed with the Regional Trial Court of the province or city where the offense was committed or
where the offended party actually resides at the same time of the commission of the offense: In every case, conviction shall cause and carry the automatic revocation of the license or
Provided, That the court where the criminal action is first filed shall acquire jurisdiction to registration of the recruitment/manning agency, lending institutions, training school or
the exclusion of other courts. Provided, however, That the aforestated provisions shall also medical clinic.
apply to those criminal actions that have already been filed in court at the time of the
effectivity of this Act. Section 7. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

SEC. 10. Money Claims. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Labor
SEC. 10. MONEY CLAIMS. - Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Labor Arbiters of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) shall have the original and
Arbiters of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) shall have the original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide, within ninety (90) calendar days after the filing of
exclusive jurisdiction to hear and decide, within ninety (90) calendar days after filing of the the complaint, the claims arising out of an employer-employee relationship or by virtue of any
complaint, the claims arising out of an employer-employee relationship or by virtue of any law law or contract involving Filipino workers for overseas deployment including claims for actual,
or contract involving Filipino workers for overseas deployment including claims for actual, moral, exemplary and other forms of damage. Consistent with this mandate, the NLRC shall
moral, exemplary and other forms of damages. endeavor to update and keep abreast with the developments in the global services industry.

The liability of the principal/employer and the recruitment/placement agency for The liability of the principal/employer and the recruitment/placement agency for any and
any and all claims under this section shall be joint and several. This provisions shall be all claims under this section shall be joint and several. This provision shall be incorporated in
incorporated in the contract for overseas employment and shall be a condition precedent for the contract for overseas employment and shall be a condition precedent for its approval. The
its approval. The performance bond to be filed by the recruitment/placement agency, as performance bond to de filed by the recruitment/placement agency, as provided by law, shall
provided by law, shall be answerable for all money claims or damages that may be awarded to be answerable for all money claims or damages that may be awarded to the workers. If the
the workers. If the recruitment/placement agency is a juridical being, the corporate officers recruitment/placement agency is a juridical being, the corporate officers and directors and
and directors and partners as the case may be, shall themselves be jointly and solidarily liable partners as the case may be, shall themselves be jointly and solidarily liable with the
with the corporation or partnership for the aforesaid claims and damages. corporation or partnership for the aforesaid claims and damages.

Such liabilities shall continue during the entire period or duration of the Such liabilities shall continue during the entire period or duration of the employment
employment contract and shall not be affected by any substitution, amendment or contract and shall not be affected by any substitution, amendment or modification made
modification made locally or in a foreign country of the said contract. locally or in a foreign country of the said contract.
 Any compromise/amicable settlement or voluntary agreement on money claims Any compromise/amicable settlement or voluntary agreement on money claims inclusive of
inclusive of damages under this section shall be paid within four (4) months from the approval damages under this section shall be paid within thirty (30) days from approval of the
of the settlement by the appropriate authority. settlement by the appropriate authority.

In case of termination of overseas employment without just, valid or authorized cause as In case of termination of overseas employment without just, valid or authorized cause as
defined by law or contract, the workers shall be entitled to the full reimbursement of his defined by law or contract, or any unauthorized deductions from the migrant workers salary,
placement fee with interest of twelve percent (12%) per annum, plus his salaries for the the worker shall be entitled to the full reimbursement if his placement fee and the
unexpired portion of his employment contract or for three (3) months for every year of the deductions made with interest at twelve percent (12%) per annum, plus his salaries for the
unexpired term, whichever is less. unexpired portion of his employment contract or for three (3) months for every year of the
unexpired term, whichever is less.

In case of a final and executory judgement against a foreign employer/principal, it shall be

automatically disqualified, without further proceedings, from participating in the Philippine
Overseas Employment Program and from recruiting and hiring Filipino workers until and unless
it fully satisfies the judgement award.

Non-compliance with the mandatory periods for resolutions of cases provided under this Noncompliance with the mandatory periods for resolutions of case provided under this
section shall subject the responsible officials to any or all of the following penalties: section shall subject the responsible officials to any or all of the following penalties:

(a) The salary of any such official who fails to render his decision or resolutions (a) The salary of any such official who fails to render his decision or resolution within the
within the prescribed period shall be, or caused to be, withheld until the said official prescribed period shall be, or caused to be, withheld until the said official complies
complies therewith; therewith;

(b) Suspension for not more than ninety (90) days; or (b) Suspension for not more than ninety (90) days; or

(c) Dismissal from the service with disqualifications to hold any appointive public (c) Dismissal from the service with disqualification to hold any appointive public office for
office for five (5) years. five (5) years.

Provided, however, that the penalties herein provided shall be without prejudice to Provided, however, That the penalties herein provided shall be without prejudice to any
any liability which any such official may have incurred under other existing laws or rules and liability which any such official may have incured under other existing laws or rules and
regulations as a consequence of violating the provisions of this paragraph. regulations as a consequence of violating the provisions of this paragraph.

SEC. 11. MANADATORY PERIODS FOR RESOLUTION OF ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT CASES. Section 8. The first paragraph of Section 13 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended is hereby
- The preliminary investigations of cases under this Act shall be terminated within a period of amended to read as follows:
thirty (30) calendar days from the date of their filing. Where the preliminary investigation is
conducted by a prosecution officer and a prima facie case is established, the corresponding
information shall be filed in court within twenty-four (24) hours from the termination of the
investigation. If the preliminary investigation is conducted by a judge and a prima facie case
is found to exist, prosecution officer within forty-eight (48) hours from the date of receipt of
the records of the case.
 SEC. 12. PRESCRIPTIVE PERIODS. - Illegal recruitment cases under this Act shall
prescribe in five (5) years: Provided, however, That illegal recruitment cases involving
economic sabotage as defined herein shall prescribe in twenty (20) years.

SEC. 13. FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, PREFERENTIAL ENTITLEMENT UNDER THE SEC. 13. Free Legal Assistance; Preferential Entitlement Under the Witness Protection
WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM. - A mechanism for free legal assistance for victims of illegal Program. A mechanism for free legal assistance for victims of illegal recruitment shall be
recruitment shall be established within the Department of Labor and Employment including its established in the anti-illegal recruitment branch of the POEA including its regional offices.
regional offices. Such mechanism must include coordination and cooperation with the Such mechanism shall include coordination and cooperation with the Department of Justice,
Department of Justice, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and other non-governmental the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and other non-governmental organizations and volunteer
organizations and volunteer groups. groups.

{ The provisions of Republic Act No. 6981 to the contrary, notwithstanding,

Section 9. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
any person who is a victim of illegal recruitment shall be entitled to the Witness
follows:
Protection Program provided thereunder.} Note: has been erased in RA 10042

III. SERVICES

SEC. 14. TRAVEL ADVISORY/INFORMATION DISSEMINATION. - To give utmost priority

to the establishment of programs and services to prevent illegal recruitment, fraud, and
exploitation or abuse of Filipino migrant workers, all embassies and consular offices, through
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), shall issue travel advisories or
disseminate information on labor and employment conditions, migration realities and other
facts; and adherence of particular countries to international standards on human and workers'
rights which will adequately prepare individuals into making informed and intelligent
decisions about overseas employment. Such advisory or information shall be published in a
newspaper of general circulation at least three (3) times in every quarter.

SEC. 15. REPATRIATION OF WORKERS; EMERGENCY REPATRIATION FUND. - The

repatriation of the worker and the transport of his personal belongings shall be the primary
responsibility of the agency which recruited or deployed the worker overseas. All costs
attendant to repatriation shall be borne by or charged to the agency concerned and/or its
principal. Likewise, the repatriation of remains and transport of the personal belongings of a
deceased worker and all costs attendant thereto shall be borne by the principal and/or local
agency. However, in cases where the termination of employment is due solely to the fault of
the worker, the principal/employer or agency shall not in any manner be responsible for the
repatriation of the former and/or his belongings.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in coordination ith

appropriate international agencies, shall undertake the repatriation of workers in cases of
war, epidemic, disasters or calamities, natural or man-made, and other similar events without
prejudice to reimbursement by the responsible principal or agency. However, in cases where
the principal or recruitment agency cannot be identified, all costs attendant to repatriation
shall be borne by the OWWA.
 For this purposes, there is hereby created and established an emergency
repatriation fund under the administration control and supervision of the OWWA, initially to
consist of one hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00), inclusive of outstanding balances.

SEC. 16. MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF UNDERAGE MIGRANT WORKERS. - Upon SEC. 16. Mandatory Repatriation of Underage Migrant Workers. Upon discovery or being
discovery or being informed of the presence of migrant workers whose actual ages fall below informed of the presence of migrant workers whose ages fall below the minimum age
the minimum age requirement for overseas deployment, the responsible officers in the foreign requirement for overseas deployment, the responsible officers in the foreign service shall
service shall without delay repatriate said workers and advise the Department of Foreign without delay repatriate said workers and advise the Department of Foreign Affairs through
Affairs through the fastest means of communication availavle of such discovery and other the fastest means of communication available of such discovery and other relevant
relevant information. information. The license of a recruitment/manning agency which recruited or deployed an
underage migrant worker shall be automatically revoked and shall be imposed a fine of not
less than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php 500,000.00) but not more than One million pesos
(Php 1,000,000.00). All fees pertinent to the processing of papers or documents in the
recruitment or deployment shall be refunded in full by the responsible recruitment/manning
agency, without need of notice, to the underage migrant worker or to his parents or guardian.
The refund shall be independent of and in addition to the indemnification for the damages
sustained by the underage migrant worker. The refund shall be paid within thirty (30) days
from the date of the mandatory repatriation as provided for in this Act. {Note: Additional
liabilities are defined with regard to erring recruitment/manning agencies in the
procurement of underage workers.} tama! Mga hinayupak iyan..hahaha

Section 10. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

SEC. 17. ESTABLISHMENT OF RE-PLACEMENT AND MONITORING CENTER. - A replacement and

SEC. 17. Establishment of National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers. -A
monitoring center is hereby created in the Department of Labor and Employment for returning
national reintegration center for overseas Filipino workers (NRCO) is hereby created in the
Filipino migrant workers which shall provide a mechanism for their reintegration into the
Department of Labor and Employment for returning Filipino migrant workers which shall
Philippine society, serve as a promotion house for their local employment, and tap their skills
provide a mechanism for their reintegration into the Philippine society, serve as a promotion
and potentials for national development.
house for their local employment, and tap their skills and potentials for national
development.
The Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration, and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration shall, within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a program that would motivate migrant The Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
workers to plan for productive options such as entry into highly technical jobs or (OWWA), and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) shall, within ninety
undertakings, livelihood and entrepreneurial development, better wage employment, and (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a program that would motivate migrant
investment of savings. workers to plan for productive options such as entry into highly technical jobs or
undertakings, livelihood and entrepreneurial development, better wage employment, and
investment of savings.
For this purpose, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), the Technology Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), and other government agencies
involved in training and livelihood development shall give priority to return who had been For this purpose, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the
employed as domestic helpers and entertainers. Technology Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), and other government agencies involved in
training and livelihood development shall give priority to returnees who had been employed as
domestic helpers and entertainers.

Section 11. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended is hereby amended to read as
 follows:

SEC. 18. FUNCTIONS OF THE RE-PLACEMENT AND MONITORING CENTER. - The center shall SEC. 18. Functions of the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers. -The
provide the following service: Center shall provide the following services:

(a) Develop livelihood programs and projects for returning Filipino migrant workers (a) Develop and support programs and projects for livelihood, entrepreneurship, savings,
in coordination with the private sector; investments and financial literacy for returning Filipino migrant workers and their families in
coordination with relevant stakeholders, service providers and international organizations;
(b) Coordinate with appropriate private and government agencies the promotion,
development, re-placement and the full utilization of their potentials;

(c) Institute in cooperation with other government agencies concerned, a (b) Coordinate with appropriate stakeholders, service providers and relevant international
computer-based information system on skilled Filipino migrant workers which shall be organizations for the promotion, development and the full utilization of overseas Filipino
accessible to all local recruitment agencies and employers, both public and private; worker returnees and their potentials;

(d) Provide a periodic study and assessment of job opportunities for returning
(c) Institute, in cooperation with other government agencies concerned, a computer-based
Filipino migrant workers.
information system on returning Filipino migrant workers shall be accessible to all local
recruitment agencies and employers, both public and private;

(d) Proved a periodic study and assessment of job opportunities for returning Filipino migrant
workers;

Note: {additional par are added, to read as follows.}

(e) Develop and implement other appropriate programs to promote the welfare of returning
Filipino migrant workers;

(f) Maintain an internet-based communication system for on-line registration and interaction
with clients, and maintain and upgrade computer-based service capabilities of the NRCO;

(g) Develop capacity-building programs for returning overseas Filipino workers and their
families, implementers, service providers, and stakeholders; and
SEC. 19. ESTABLISHMENT OF A MIGRANT WORKERS AND OTHER OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
RESOURCE CENTER. - Within the premises and under the administrative jurisdiction of the
(h) Conduct research for policy recommendations and program development.
Philippine Embassy in countries where there are large concentrations of Filipino migrant
workers, there shall be establish a Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource
Center with the following services: Section 12. The second paragraph of Section 19 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is
hereby amended to read as follows:
(a) Counseling and legal services;

(b) Welfare assistance including the procurement of medical and hospitalization

services;
 (c) Information, advisory and programs to promote social integration such as post-
arrival orientation, settlement and community networking services for social integration;

(d) Institute a scheme of registration of undocumented workers to bring them

within the purview of this Act. For this purpose, the Center is enjoined to compel existing
undocumented workers to register with it within six (6) months from the effectivity of this
Act, under pain of having his/her passport cancelled;

(e) Human resource development, such as training and skills upgrading;

(f) Gender sensitive programs and activities to assist particular needs of women
migrant workers;

(g) Orientation program for returning workers and other migrants; and

(h) Monitoring of daily situations, circumstances and activities affecting migrant

workers and other overseas Filipinos.

The establishment and operations of the Center shall be a joint undertaking of the
various government agencies. The Center shall be open for twenty-four (24) hours daily,
including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and shall be staffed by Foreign Service personnel,
service attaches or officers who represent other organizations from the host countries. In
countries categorized as highly problematic by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the The establishment and operations of the Center shall be a joint undertaking of the various
Department of Labor and Employment and where there is a concentration of Filipino migrant government agencies. The Center shall be open for twenty-four (24) hours daily including
workers, the government must provide a lawyer and a social worker for the Center. The Labor Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and shall be staffed by Foreign Service personnel, service
Attache shall coordinate the operation of the Center and shall keep the Chief of Mission attaches or officers who represent other Philippine government agencies abroad and, if
informed and updated on all matters affecting it. available, individual volunteers and bona fidenon-government organizations from the host
countries. In countries categorized as highly problematic by the Department of Foreign Affairs
and the Department of Labor and Employment and where there is a concentration of Filipino
The Center shall have a counterpart 24-hour information and assistance center at
migrant workers, the government must provide a Sharia or human rights lawyer, a
the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a continuous network and coordinative
psychologist and a social worker for the Center. In addition to these personnel, the
mechanism at the home office.
government must also hire within the receiving country, in such number as may be needed by
the post, public relation officers or case officers who are conversant, orally and in writing,
with the local language, laws, customs and practices. The Labor Attache shall coordinate the
operation of the Center and shall keep the Chief of Mission informed and updated on all
matters affecting it.

SEC. 20. ESTABLISHMENT OF A SHARED GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MIGRATION. - Section 13. Section 20 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
An inter-agency committee composed of the Department of Foreign Affairs and its attached follows:
agency, the Commission on Filipino Overseas, the Department of Labor and Employment, the
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, The Overseas Workers Welfare
SEC. 20. Establishment of a Shared Government Information System for Migration. An
Administration, The Department of Tourism, the Department of Justice, the Bureau of
interagency committee composed of the Department of Foreign Affairs and its attached
Immigration, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the National Statistics Office shall be
agency, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the Department of Labor and Employment and
established to implement a shared government information system for migration. The inter-
its attached concerned agencies, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Justice the
agency committee shall initially make available to itself the information contained in existing
data bases/files. The second phase shall involve linkaging of computer facilities in order to Bureau of Immigration, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the Interior
allow free-flow data exchanges and sharing among concerned agencies. and Local Government, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Commission on
Information and Communications Technology, the National Computer Center, the National
Statistical and Coordination Board, the National Statistics Office and other government
agencies concerned with overseas employment shall be established to implement a shared
government information system for migration. The interagency committee shall initially make
available to itself the information contained in existing data bases/files. The second phase
shall involve linkaging of computer facilities on order to allow free-flow data exchanges and
sharing among concerned agencies.

The inter-agency committee shall be co-chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and
the Department of Labor and Employment. TheNationalComputerCentershall provide the
necessary technical assistance and shall set the appropriate information and communications
technology standards to facilitate the sharing of information among the member agencies.

The inter-agency committee shall meet regularly to ensure the immediate and full
implementation of this section and shall explore the possibility setting up a central storage
facility for the data on migration. The progress of the implementation of this section shall be
The inter-agency committee shall convene to identify existing data bases which shall be include in the report to Congress of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of
declassified and shared among member agencies. These shared data bases shall initially Labor and Employment under Section 33.
include, but not limited to, the following information:
The inter-agency committee shall convene to identify existing data bases which shall be
(a) Masterlists of departing/arriving Filipinos; declassified and shared among member agencies. These shared data bases shall initially
include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(a) Masterlists of Filipino migrant workers/overseas Filipino classified according to

(b) Inventory of pending legal cases involving Filipino migrant workers and other Filipino occupation/job category, civil status, by country/state of destination including visa
nationals, including those serving prison terms; classification;

(c) Masterlists of departing/arriving Filipinos; (b) Inventory of pending legal cases involving Filipino migrant workers and other Filipino
nationals, including those serving prison terms;
(d) Statistical profile on Filipino migrant workers/overseas Filipinos/Tourists;
(c) Masterlists of departing/arriving Filipinos;
(e) Blacklisted foreigners/undesirable aliens;
(d) Statistical profile on Filipino migrant workers/overseas Filipinos/tourists;
(f) Basic data on legal systems, immigration policies, marriage laws and civil and
criminal codes in receiving countries particularly those with the large numbers of Filipinos; (e) Blacklisted foreigners/undesirable aliens;

(g) List of labor and other human rights instruments where receiving countries are (f) Basic data on legal systems, immigration policies, marriage laws and civil and criminal
signatories; codes in receiving countries particularly those with large numbers of Filipinos;

(h) A tracking system of past and present gender disaggregated cases involving (g) List of Labor and other human rights instruments where receiving countries are
male and female migrant workers; and signatories;

(I) Listing of overseas posts which may render assistance to overseas Filipinos, in (h) A tracking system of past and present gender disaggregated cases involving male and
general, and migrant workers, in particular. female migrant workers, including minors; and

SEC. 21. MIGRANT WORKERS LOAN GUARANTEE FUND. - In order to further prevent (i) Listing of overseas posts which may render assistance to overseas Filipinos, in general,
unscrupulous illegal recruiters from taking advantage of workers seeking employment abroad, and migrant workers, in particular.
the OWWA, in coordination with government financial institutions, shall institute financing
schemes that will expand the grant of pre-departure loan and family assistance loan. For this
purpose, a Migrant Workers Loan Guarantee Fund is hereby created and the revolving amount
of one hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) from the OWWA is set aside as a guarantee
fund in favor of participating government financial institutions. Section 14. Subparagraph (b.1) of paragraph (b) of Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042, as
amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
SEC. 22. RIGHTS AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM UNDER INTERNATIONAL AND
REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEMS. - The Department of Foreign Affairs is mandated to
undertake the necessary initiative such as promotions, acceptance or adherence of countries
receiving Filipino workers to multilateral convention, declaration or resolutions pertaining to
the protection of migrant workers' rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs is also mandated
to make an assessment of rights and avenues of redress under international and regional
human rights systems that are available to Filipino migrant workers who are victims of abuse
and violation and, as far as practicable and through the Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers
Affairs created under this Act, pursue the same on behalf of the victim if it is legally
impossible to file individual complaints. If a complaints machinery is available under
international or regional systems, the Department of Foreign Affairs shall fully apprise the
Filipino migrant workers of the existence and effectiveness of such legal options.

IV. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

SEC. 23. ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. - The following government agencies

shall perform the following to promote the welfare and protect the rights of migrant workers
and, as far as applicable, all overseas Filipinos:

(a) Department of Foreign Affairs. - The Department, through its home office or
foreign posts, shall take priority action its home office or foreign posts, shall take priority
action or make representation with the foreign authority concerned to protect the rights of
migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos and extend immediate assistance including the
repatriation of distressed or beleaguered migrant workers and other overseas Filipinos;

(b) Department of Labor and Employment - The Department of Labor and

Employment shall see to it that labor and social welfare laws in the foreign countries are
fairly applied to migrant workers and whenever applicable, to other overseas Filipinos
including the grant of legal assistance and the referral to proper medical centers or hospitals:

(b.1) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration - Subject to deregulation and

phase out as provided under Sections 29 and 30 herein, the Administration shall regulate
private sector participation in the recruitment and overseas placement of workers by setting
up a licensing and registration system. It shall also formulate and implement, in coordination (b.1) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. The Administration shall regulate
with appropriate entities concerned, when necessary employment of Filipino workers taking private sector participation in the recruitment and overseas placement of workers by setting
into consideration their welfare and the domestic manpower requirements. up a licensing and registration system. It shall also formulate and implement, in coordination
with appropriate entities concerned, when necessary, a system for promoting and monitoring
the overseas employment of Filipino workers taking into consideration their welfare and the
domestic manpower requirements. It shall be responsible for the regulation and management
of overseas employment from the pre-employment stage, securing the best possible
employment terms and conditions for overseas Filipino workers, and taking into consideration
the needs of vulnerable sectors and the peculiarities of sea-based and land-based workers. In
appropriate cases, the Administration shall allow the lifting of suspension of erring
recruitment/manning agencies upon the payment of fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00)
for every month of suspension.

in addition to its powers and functions, the Administration shall inform migrant workers not
only of their rights as workers but also of their rights as human beings, instruct and guide the
workers how to assert their rights and provide the available mechanism to redress violation of
their rights. It shall also be responsible for the implementation, in partnership with other law-
enforcement agencies, of an intensified program against illegal recruitment activities. For this
purpose, the POEA shall provide comprehensive Pre-Employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS)
that will discuss topics such as prevention of illegal recruitment and gender-sensitivity.

The Administration shall not engage in the recruitment and placement of overseas workers
except on a government-to-government arrangement only.

In the recruitment and placement of workers to service the requirements for trained and
competent Filipino workers of foreign governments and their instrumentalitys, and such other
employers as public interests may require, the Administration shall deploy only to countries
where the Philippine has conclude bilateral labor agreements or
arrangements: Provided, That such countries shall guarantee to protect the rights of Filipino
migrant workers; and Provided, further,That such countries shall observe and/or comply with
{Note: Sub par. (b.2) of par (b) of Sec 23 of RA 8042 is now Sec 15 of RA 10022}
the international laws and standards for migrant workers.

(b.2) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration - The Welfare Officer or in his absence, the
coordinating officer shall provide the Filipino migrant worker and his family all the assistance Section 15. Sub-paragraph (b.2) of Paragraph (b) of Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042, as
they may need in the enforcement of contractual obligations by agencies or entities and/or by amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
their principals. In the performance of this functions, he shall make representation and may
call on the agencies or entities concerned to conferences or conciliation meetings for the (b.2) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. The Welfare officer of in his absence, the
purpose of settling the complaints or problems brought to his attention. coordinating officer shall provide the Filipino migrant worker and his family all the assistance
they may need in the enforcement of contractual obligations by agencies or entities and/or by
their principals. In the performance of this function, he shall make representation and may
call on the agencies or entities concerned to conferences or conciliation meetings for the
purpose of settling the compliance or problems brought to his attention. The OWWA shall
likewise formulate and implement welfare programs for overseas Filipino workers and their
 families while they are abroad and upon their return. It shall ensure the awareness by the
overseas Filipino workers and their families of these programs and other related governmental
programs.

In the repatriation of workers to be undertaken by OWWA, the latter shall be authorized to

pay repatriation-related expenses, such as fines or penalties, subject to such guidelines as the
{Note: Under Section 16, of RA 10042, as amended, adds new paragraphs (c) and (d) with OWWA Board of Trustees may prescribe.
their corresponding subparagraphs. SEE: >>>>>>>>>}
Section 16. Under Section 23 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, add new paragraphs (c)
and (d) with their corresponding subparagraphs to read as follows:

(c) Department of Health. The Department of Health (DOH) shall regulate the activities and
operations of all clinics which conduct medical, physical, optical, dental, psychological and
other similar examinations, hereinafter referred to as health examinations, on Filipino
migrant workers as requirement for their overseas employment. Pursuant to this, the DOH
shall ensure that:

(c.1) The fees for the health examinations are regulated, regularly monitored and duly
published to ensure that the said fees are reasonable and not exorbitant;

(c.2) The Filipino migrant worker shall only be required to undergo health examinations
when there is reasonable certainty that he or she will be hired and deployed to the jobsite
and only those health examinations which are absolutely necessary for the type of job applied
for or those specifically required by the foreign employer shall be conducted;

(c.3) No group or groups of medical clinics shall have a monopoly of exclusively conducting
health examinations on migrant workers for certain receiving countries;

(c.4) Every Filipino migrant worker shall have the freedom to choose any of the DOH-
accredited or DOH-operated clinics that will conduct his/her health examinations and that his
or her rights as a patient are respected. The decking practice, which requires an overseas
Filipino worker to go first to an office for registration and then farmed out to a medical clinic
located elsewhere, shall not be allowed;

(c.5) Within a period of three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, all DOH regional
and/or provincial hospitals shall establish and operate clinics that can be serve the health
examination requirements of Filipino migrant workers to provide them easy access to such
clinics all over the country and lessen their transportation and lodging expenses and

(c.6) All DOH-accredited medical clinics, including the DOH-operated clinics, conducting
health examinations for Filipino migrant workers shall observe the same standard operating
procedures and shall comply with internationally-accepted standards in their operations to
 conform with the requirements of receiving countries or of foreign employers/principals.

Any Foreign employer who does not honor the results of valid health examinations conducted
by a DOH-accredited or DOH-operated clinic shall be temporarily disqualified from the
participating in the overseas employment program, pursuant to POEA rules and regulations.

In case an overseas Filipino worker is found to be not medically fit upon his/her immediate
arrival in the country of destination, the medical clinic that conducted the health
examination/s of such overseas Filipino worker shall pay for his or her repatriation back to the
Philippines and the cost of deployment of such worker.
V. THE LEGAL ASSISTANT FOR MIGRANT WORKERS AFFAIRS
Any government official or employee who violates any provision of this subsection shall be
SEC. 24. LEGAL ASSISTANT FOR MIGRANT WORKERS AFFAIRS. - There is hereby removed or dismissed from service with disqualification to hold any appointive public office
created the position of Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs under the Department of for five(5) years. Such penalty is without prejudice to any other liability which he or she may
Foreign Affairs who shall be primarily responsible for the provision and overall coordination of have incurred under existing laws, rules or regulations.
all legal assistance services to be provided to Filipino migrant workers as well as overseas
Filipinos in distress. He shall have the rank, salary and privileges equal to that of an (d) Local Government Units. In the fight against illegal recruitment, the local government
undersecretary of said Department. units (LGUs), in partnership with the POEA, other concerned government agencies, and non-
government organizations advocating the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers, shall
The said Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs shall be appointed by the take a proactive stance by being primarily responsible for the dissemination of information to
President and must be of proven competence in the field of law with at least ten (10) years of their constituents on all aspects of overseas employment. To carry out this task, the following
experience as a legal practitioner and must not have been a candidate to an elective office in shall be undertaken by the LGUs:
the last local or national elections.
(d.1) Provide a venue for the POEA, other concerned government agencies and non-
Among the functions and responsibilities of the aforesaid Legal Assistant are: government organizations to conduct PEOS to their constituents on a regular basis;

(a) To issue the guidelines, procedures and criteria for the provisions of legal (d.2) Establish overseas Filipino worker help desk or kiosk in their localities with the
assistance services to Filipino migrant workers; objective of providing current information to their constituents on all the processes aspects of
overseas employment. Such desk or kiosk shall, as be linked to the database of all concerned
(b) To establish close linkages with the Department of Labor and Employment, the government agencies, particularly the POEA for its updated lists of overseas job orders and
POEA, the OWWA and other government agencies concerned, as well as with non- licensed recruitment agencies in good standing.
governmental organizations assisting migrant workers, to ensure effective coordination and
cooperation in the provision of legal assistance to migrant workers; Section 17. Subparagraph ( c ) of Section 24 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
(c) To tap the assistance of reputable law firms and the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines and other bar associations to complement the government's efforts to provide ( c ) To tap the assistance of reputable law firms, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, other
legal assistance to migrant workers; {Note: Sub Par C, of Sec 24, RA 8042} Gulo niyo!!! bar associations and other government legal experts on overseas Filipino worker laws to
complement the governments efforts to provide legal assistance to our migrant workers;
(d) To administer the legal assistance fund for migrant workers established under
Section 25 hereof and to authorize disbursements there from in accordance with the purposes Section 18. Section 25 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
for which the fund was set up; and follows:
 (e) To keep and maintain the information system as provided in Section 20.

The legal Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs shall have authority to hire private
lawyers, domestic or foreign, in order to assist him in the effective discharge of the above
functions.

SEC. 25. LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND - There is hereby established a legal assistance
SEC. 25. Legal Assistance Fund. There is herby established a legal assistance fund for
fund for migrant workers, herein after referred to as Legal Assistance fund, in the amount of
migrant workers, hereinafter referred to as the Legal Assistance Fund, in the amount of one
One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) to be constituted from the following sources:
hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) to be constituted from the following sources.

Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) from the Contingency Fund of the President;
Fifty million pesos (50,000,000.00) from the Contingency Fund of the President;
Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000.00) from the Presidential Social Fund; and

Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) from the Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers
established under Letter of Instruction No. 537, as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 1694 Thirty million pesos (30,000,000.00) from the Contingency Fund of the President Social Fund;
and 1809.
Twenty million pesos (20,000,000.00) from the Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers
established under Letter of Instructions No. 537 as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 1694
and 1809; and

An amount appropriated in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) which shall not be
less than Thirty million pesos (30,000,000.00) per year: Provided, that the balance of the
Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) including the amount appropriated for the year shall not be less
than One hundred million pesos (P100,000,000.00) : Provided, further, That the fund shall be
treated as a special fund in the National Treasury and its balance, including the amount
appropriated in the GAA, which shall form part of the Fund, shall not revert to the General
Any balances of existing fund which have been set aside by the government specifically as Fund. {Note: Additional par.}
legal assistance or defense fund to help migrant workers shall, upon effectivity of this Act, to
be turned over to, and form part of, the Fund created under this Act.
Any balances of existing funds which have been set aside by the government specifically as
legal assistance or defense fund to help migrant workers shall upon effectivity of this Act, be
turned over to, and form part of, the Fund created under this Act.

SEC. 26. USES OF THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND. - The Legal Assistance Fund created under
Section 19. Section 26 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
the preceeding section shall be used exclusively to provide legal services to migrant workers
follows:
and overseas Filipinos in distress in accordance witht the guidelines, criteria and procedures
promulgated in accordance with Section 24 (a) hereof. The expenditures to be charged
against the Fund shall include the fees for the foreign lawyers to be hired by the Legal SEC. 26. Uses of the Legal Assistance Fund. The Legal Assistance Fund created under the
Assistance for Migrant Workers Affairs to represent migrant workers facing charges abroad, preceding section shall be used exclusively6 to provide legal services to migrant workers and
bail bonds to secure the temporary release of workers under detention, court fees and overseas Filipinos in distress in accordance with the guidelines, criteria and procedures
charges and other litigation expenses. promulgated in accordance with Section 24 ( a ) herof. The expenditures to be charged
against the Fund shall include the fees for the foreign lawyers to be hired by the Legal
Assistant for Migrant Workers Affairs to represent migrant workers facing charges or in filing
VI. COUNTRY - TEAM APPROACH
cases against erring or abusive employers abroad, bail bonds to secure the temporary releases
and other litigation expenses: Provided,That at the end of every year, the Department of
 SEC. 27. PRIORITY CONCERNS OF PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SERVICE POSTS. - The Foreign Affairs shall include in its report to Congress, as provided for under Section 33 of this
country team approach, as enunciated under Executive Order No. 74, series of 1993, shall be Act, the status of the Legal Assistance Fund, including the expenditures from the said fund
the mode under which Philippine embassies or their personnel will operate in the protection duly audited by the Commission on Audit (COA): Provided, further, That the hiring of foreign
of the Filipino migrant workers as well as in the promotion of their welfare. The protection of legal counsels, when circumstances warrant urgent action, shall be exempt from the coverage
the Filipino migrant workers and the promotion of their welfare, in particular, and the of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act. {Note: additional Par.}
protection of the dignity and fundamental rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizen abroad,
in general, shall be the highest priority concerns of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Section 20. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
Philippine Foreign Service Posts. follows:

SEC. 28. COUNTRY-TEAM APPROACH. - Under the country-team approach, all

officers, representatives and personnel of the Philippine government posted abroad regardless
of their mother agencies shall, on a per country basis, act as one country-team with a mission
under the leadership of the ambassador. In this regard, the ambassador may recommend to
the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs the recall of officers, representatives and
personnel of the Philippine government posted abroad for acts inimical to the national
interest such as, but not limited to, failure to provide the necessary services to protect the
rights of overseas Filipinos.

Upon receipt of the recommendation of the ambassador, the Secretary of the

Department of Foreign Affairs shall, in the case of officers, representatives and personnel of
other departments, endorse such recommendation to the department secretary concerned for
appropriate action. Pending investigation by an appropriate body in the Philippines, the
person recommended for recall may be placed under preventive suspension by the
ambassador.

In host countries where there are Philippine consulates, such consulates shall also
constitute part of the country-team under the leadership of the ambassador.

In the implementation of the country-team approach, visiting Philippine

delegations shall be provided full support and information.

VII. DEREGULATION AND PHASE-OUT

SEC. 29. COMPREHENSIVE DEREGULATION PLAN ON RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES. -

Pursuant to a progressive policy of deregulation whereby the migration of workers becomes
strictly a matter between the worker and his foreign employer, the DOLE within one (1) year
from the effectivity of this Act, is hereby mandated to formulate a five-year comprehensive
deregulation plan on recruitment activities taking into account labor market trends, economic
conditions of the country and emergency circumstances which may affect the welfare of
migrant workers.

SEC. 30. GRADUAL PHASE-OUT OF REGULATORY FUNCTIONS. - Within a period of

five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, the DOLE shall phase out the regulatory
functions of the POEA pursuant to the objectives of deregulation.

VII. PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER HIGHLY-SKILLED FILIPINOS ABROAD

SEC. 31. INCENTIVES TO PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER HIGHLY-SKILLED FILIPINOS

ABROAD. - Pursuant to the objective of encouraging professionals and other highly-skilled
Filipinos abroad especially in the field of science and technology to participate in, and
contribute to national development, the government shall provide proper and adequate
incentives and programs so as to secure their services in priority development areas of the
public and private sectors.

IX. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 32. POEA AND OWWA BOARD; ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIPS. - Notwithstanding SEC. 32. POEA, OWWA and other Boards; Additional Memberships. Notwithstanding any
any provision of law to the contrary, the respective Boards of the POEA and the OWWA shall, provision of law to the contrary, the respective Boards of the POEA and the OWWA shall, in
in addition to their present composition, have three (3) members each who shall come from addition to their present composition, have three (3) members each who shall come from the
the women, sea-based and land-based sectors, respectively, to be appointed by the President women, sea-based and land-based sectors respectively, to be selected and nominated openly
in the same manner as the other members. by the general membership of the sector being represented. {Note: No longer the president
has the appointing authority, additional pars.}

The selection and nomination of the additional members from the women, sea-based and
land-based sectors shall be governed by the following guidelines:

(a) The POEA and the OWWA shall launch a massive information campaign on the selection of
nominees and provide for a system of consultative sessions for the certified leaders or
representatives of the concerned sectors, at least three (3) times, within ninety (90) days
before the boards shall be convened, for purposes of selection. The process shall be open,
democratic and transparent;

(b) Only non-government organizations that protect and promote the rights and welfare of
overseas Filipino workers, duly registered with the appropriate Philippine government agency
and in good standing as such, and in existence for at least three (3) years prior to the
nomination shall be qualified to nominate a representative for each sector to the Board;

(c) The nominee must be at least twenty-five (25) years of age, able to read and write, and a
migrant worker at the time of his or her nomination or was a migrant worker with at least
three (3) years experience as such; and

(d) A final list of all the nominees selected by the OWWA/POEA governing boards, which shall
consist of three(3) names for each sector to be represented, shall be submitted to the
 President and published in a newspaper of general circulation;

Within thirty (30) days from the submission of the list, the President shall select and appoint
from the list, the representatives to the POEA/OWWA governing boards.

The additional members shall have a term of three (3) years and shall be eligible for
reappointment for another three (3) years. In case of vacancy, the President shall in
accordance with the provisions of this Act, appoint a replacement who shall serve the
unexpired term of his or her predecessor.

Any executive issuances or orders issued that contravene the provisions of this section shall
have no force and effect.

All other government agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations which

require at least one (1) representative from the overseas workers sector to their respective
boards shall follow all the applicable provisions of this section.

Section 21. The first and last paragraph of Section 33 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended,
is hereby amended to read as follows:

SEC. 33. REPORT TO CONGRESS. - In order to inform the Philippine Congress on the SEC. 33. Report to Congress. In order to inform the Philippine Congress on the
implementation of the policy enunciated in Section 4 hereof, the Department of Foreign implementation of the policy enunciated in Section 4 hereof, the Department of Foreign
Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment shall submit to the said body a semi- Affairs and the Department of Labor and Employment shall submit separately to the said body
annual report of Philippine foreign posts located in countries hosting Filipino migrant workers. a semi-annual report of Philippine foreign posts located in countries hosting Filipino migrant
The report shall not be limited to the following information: workers. The mid-year report covering the period January to June shall be submitted not later
than October 31 of the same year while the year-end report covering the period July to
December shall be submitted not later than May 31 of the following year. The report shall
(a) Masterlist of Filipino migrant workers, and inventory of pending cases involving
include, but shall not limited to, the following information:
them and other Filipino nationals including those serving prison terms;

(b) Working conditions of Filipino migrant workers; xxx

(c) Problems encountered by the migrant workers, specifically violations of their

rights;

(d) Initiative/actions taken by the Philippine foreign posts to address the problems
of Filipino migrant workers;

(e) Changes in the laws and policies of host countries; and

(f) Status of negotiations on bilateral labor agreements between the Philippines

and the host country.
 Any officer of the government who fails to report as stated in the preceeding
section shall be subjected to administrative penalty.{Note: this last par is read as>>>>>>>>>}
Any officer of the government who fails to submit the report as stated in this section shall
SEC. 34. REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS. - Pursuant to Section 3(2), Article VI of be subject to an administrative penalty of dismissal from the service with disqualification to
the Constitution and in line with the objective of empowering overseas Filipinos to participate hold any appointive public office for five (5) years.
in the policy-making process to address Filipino migrant concerns, two (2) sectoral
representatives for migrant workers in the House of Representatives shall be appointed by the
President from the ranks of migrant workers: Provided, that at least one (1) of the two (2)
sectoral representatives shall come from the women migrant workers sector: Provided,
further, that all nominees must have at least two (2) years experience as a migrant worker. Section 22. Section 35 of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
SEC. 35. EXEMPTION FROM TRAVEL TAX AND AIRPORT FEE. - All laws to the country
notwithstanding, the migrant worker shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax and SEC. 35. Exemption from Travel Tax Documentary Stamp and Airport Fee. All laws to the
airport fee upon proper showing of proof of entitlement by the POEA. contrary notwithstanding, the migrant workers shall be exempt from the payment of travel
tax and airport-fee upon proper showing of proof entitlement by the POEA.
{Note: additional par., and should be read as this >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>}
The remittances of all overseas Filipino workers, upon showing of the same proof of
SEC. 36. NON-INCREASE OF FEES; ABOLITION OF REPATRIATION BOND. - Upon approval of this entitlement by the overseas Filipino workers beneficiary or recipient, shall be exempt from
Act, all fees being charged by any government office on migrant workers shall remain at their the payment of documentary stamp tax.
present levels and the repatriation bond shall be established.

SEC. 37. THE CONGRESSIONAL MIGRANT WORKERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND. - There is

hereby created a Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund which shall benefit Section 23. A new Section 37-A. of Replublic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby added to
deserving migrant workers and/or their immediate descendants below twenty-one (21) years read as follows:
of age who intent to pursue courses or training primarily in the field of science and
technology. The initial seed fund of two hundred million pesos (P200,000,000.00) shall be
constituted from the following sources:

(a) Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) from the unexpected Countrywide

Development Fund for 1995 in equal sharing by all members of Congress; and {added by>>>>>

SEC. 37-A. Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Agency-Hired Workers. In addition to the
performance bond to be filed by the recruitment/manning agency under Section 10, each
migrant worker deployed by a recruitment/manning agency shall be covered by a compulsory
insurance policy which shall be secured at no cost to the said worker. Such insurance policy
shall be effective for the duration of the migrant workers employment and shall cover, at the
minimum:

(a) Accidental death, with at least Fifteen thousandUnited Statesdollars (US$10,000.00)

survivors benefit payable to the migrant workers beneficiaries;

(c) Permanent total disablement, with at least Seven thousand five hundredUnited
Statesdollars (US$7,500.00) disability benefit payable to the migrant worker. The following
disabilities shall be deemed permanent: total, complete loss of sight of both eyes; loss of
two(2) limbs at or above the ankles or wrists; permanent complete paralysis of two (2) limbs;
brain injury resulting to incurable imbecility or insanity;

(d) Repatriation cost of the worker when his/her employment is terminated without any
valid cause, including the transport of his or her personal belongings. In case of death, the
insurance provider shall arrange and pay for the repatriation or return of the workers
remains. The insurance provider shall also render any assistance necessary in the transport
including, but not limited to, locating a local licensed funeral home, mortuary or direct
disposition facility to prepare the body for transport, completing all documentation, obtaining
legal clearances, procuring consular services, providing necessary casket or air transport
container, as well as transporting the remains including retrieval from site of death and
delivery to the receiving funeral home;

(e) Subsistence allowance benefit, with at least One hundredUnited Statesdollars

(US$100.00) Per month for a maximum of six (6) months for a migrant worker who is involved
in a case or litigation for the protection of his/her rights in the receiving country;

(f) Money claims arising from employers liability which may be awarded or given to the
worker in a judgment or settlement of his or her case in the NLRC. The insurance coverage for
money claims shall be equivalent to at least three (3) months for every year of the migrant
workers employment contract;

In addition to the above coverage, the insurance policy shall also include:

(g) Compassionate visit. When a migrant worker is hospitalized and has been confined for at
least seven (7) consecutive days, he shall be entitled to a compassionate visit by one (1)
family member or a requested individual. The insurance company shall pay for the
transportation cost of the family member or requested individual to the major airport closest
to the place of hospitalization of the worker. It is, however, the responsibility of the family
member or requested individual to meet all visa and travel document requirements;

(h) Medical evacuation. When an adequate medical facility is not available proximate to the
migrant worker, as determined by the insurance companys physician and/or a consulting
physician, evacuation under appropriate medical supervision by the mode of transport
necessary shall be undertaken by the insurance provider; and

(i) Medical repatriation. When medically necessary as determined by the attending physician,
repatriation under medical supervision to the migrant workers residence shall be undertaken
by the insurance provider at such time that the migrant worker is medically cleared for travel
by commercial carrier. If the period to receive medical clearance to travel exceeds fourteen
(14) days from the date of discharge from the hospital, an alternative appropriate mode of
transportation, such as air ambulance, may be arranged. Medical and non-medical escorts may
be provided when necessary.

Only reputable private insurance companies duly registered with the Insurance Commission
(IC), which are in existence and operational for at least Five hundred million pesos
(P500,000,000.00) to be determined by the IC, and with a current year certificate of authority
shall be qualified to provide for the workers insurance coverage. Insurance companies who
have directors, partners, officers, employees or agents with relatives, within the fourth civil
degree of consanguinity or affinity, who work or have interest in any of the licensed
recruitment/manning agencies or in any of the government agencies involved in the overseas
employment program shall be disqualified from providing this workers insurance coverage.

The recruitment/manning agency shall have the right to choose from any of the qualified
insurance providers the company that will insure the migrant worker it will deploy. After
procuring such insurance policy, the recruitment/manning agency shall provide an
authenticated copy thereof to the migrant worker. It shall then submit the certificate of
insurance coverage of the migrant worker to POEA as a requirement for the issuance of an
Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) to the migrant worker. In the case of seafarers who
are insured under policies issued by foreign insurance companies, the POEA shall accept
certificates or other proofs of cover from recruitment/manning agencies: Provided, That the
minimum coverage under sub-paragraphs (a) to (i) are included therein.

Any person having a claim upon the policy issued pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d)
and (e) of this section shall present to the insurance company concerned a written notice of
claim together with pertinent supporting documents. The insurance company shall forthwith
ascertain the truth and extent of the claim and make payment within ten (10) days from the
filing of the notice of claim.

Any claim arising from accidental death, natural death or disablement under this section
shall be paid by the insurance company without any contest and without the necessity of
providing fault or negligence of any kind on the part of the insured migrant
worker: Provided, That the following documents, duly authenticated by the Philippine foreign
posts, shall be sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim:

(1) Death Certificate In case of natural or accidental death;

(2) Police or Accident Report In case of accidental death; and

(3) Medical Certificate In case of permanent disablement;

For repatriation under subparagraph (d) hereof, a certification which states the reason/s for
the termination of the migrant workers employment and the need for his or her repatriation
shall be issued by the Philippine foreign post or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)
located in the receiving country.

For subsistence allowance benefit under subparagraph (e), the concerned labor attach or,
in his absence, the embassy or consular official shall issue a certification which states the
name of the case, the names of the parties and the nature of the cause of action of the
migrant worker.

For the payment of money claims under subparagraph (f), the following rules shall govern:

(1) After a decision has become final and executor or a settlement/compromise agreement
has been reached between the parties at the NLRC, an order shall be released mandating the
respondent recruitment/manning agency to pay the amount adjudged or agreed upon within
thirty (30) days;

(2) The recruitment/manning agency shall then immediately file a notice of claim with its
insurance provider for the amount of liability insured, attaching therewith a copy of the
decision or compromise agreement;

(3) Within ten (10) days from the filing of notice of claim, the insurance company shall make
payment to the recruitment/manning agency the amount adjudged or agreed upon, or the
amount of liability insured, whichever is lower. After receiving the insurance payment, the
recruitment/manning agency shall immediately pay the migrant workers claim in full, taking
into account that in case the amount of insurance coverage is insufficient to satisfy the
amount adjudged or agreed upon, it is liable to pay the balance thereof;

(4) In case the insurance company fails to make payment within ten (10) days from the filing
of the claim, the recruitment/ manning agency shall pay the amount adjudged or agreed upon
within the remaining days of the thirty (30)-day period, as provided in the first subparagraph
hereof;

(5) If the workers claim was not settled within the aforesaid thirty (30)-day period, the
recruitment/manning agencys performance bond or escrow deposit shall be forthwith
garnished to satisfy the migrant workers claim;

(6) The provision of compulsory workers insurance under this section shall not affect the
joint and solidary liability of the foreign employer and the recruitment/manning agency under
Section 10;

(7) Lawyers for the insurance companies, unless the latter is impleaded, shall be prohibited
to appear before the NLRC in money claims cases under this section.

Any question or dispute in the enforcement of any insurance policy issued under this section
 shall be brought before the IC for mediation or adjudication.

In case it is shown by substantial evidence before the POEA that the migrant worker who was
deployed by a licensed recruitment/manning agency has paid for the premium or the cost of
the insurance coverage or that the said insurance coverage was used as basis by the
recruitment/manning agency to claim any additional fee from the migrant worker, the said
licensed recruitment/manning agency shall lose its license and all its directors, partners,
proprietors, officers and employees shall be perpetually disqualified from engaging in the
business of recruitment of overseas workers. Such penalty is without prejudice to any other
liability which such persons may have incurred under existing laws, rules or regulations.

For migrant workers recruited by the POEA on a government-to-government arrangement,

the POEA shall establish a foreign employers guarantee fund which shall be answerable to the
workers monetary claims arising from breach of contractual obligations. For migrant workers
classified as rehires, name hires or direct hires, they may opt to be covered by this insurance
coverage by requesting their foreign employers to pay for the cost of the insurance coverage
or they may pay for the premium themselves. To protect the rights of these workers, the
POEA shall provide them adequate legal assistance, including conciliation and mediation
services, whether at home or abroad.

At the end of every year, the Department of Labor and Employment and the IC shall jointly
make an assessment of the performance of all insurance providers, based upon the report of
the NLRC and the POEA on their respective interactions and experiences with the insurance
companies, and they shall have the authority to ban or blacklist such insurance companies
which are known to be evasive or not responsive to the legitimate claims of migrant workers.
The Department of Labor and Employment shall include such assessment in its year-end report
to Congress.

For purposes of this section, the Department of Labor and Employment, IC, NLRC and the
POEA, in consultation with the recruitment/manning agencies and legitimate non-government
organizations advocating the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers, shall formulate
the necessary implementing rules and regulations.

The foregoing provisions on compulsory insurance coverage shall be subject to automatic

review through the Congressional Oversight Committee immediately after three (3) years from
the effectivity of this Act in order to determine its efficacy in favor of the covered overseas
(b) The remaining one hundred fifty million pesos (P150,000,000.00) shall be funded from the Filipino workers and the compliance by recruitment/manning agencies and insurance
proceeds of Lotto. companies, without prejudice to an earlier review if necessary and warranted for the purpose
of modifying, amending and/or repealing these subject provisions.
The Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund as herein created shall be
administered by the DOLE in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology Section 24. A new Section 37-B of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, is hereby added to
(DOST). To carry out the objectives of this section, the DOLE and the DOST shall formulate the read as follows:
necessary rules and regulations. Note: A new sec 37B is added, to be read as follow>>>>>
Sec. 37-B. Congressional Oversight Committee. There is hereby created a Joint
Congressional Oversight Committee composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives
to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
respectively. The Oversight Committee shall be co-chaired by the chairpersons of the Senate
Committee on Labor and Employment and the House of Representatives Committee on
Overseas Workers Affairs. The Oversight Committee shall have the following duties and
functions:

(a) To set the guidelines and overall framework to monitor and ensure the proper
implementation of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, as well as all programs, projects and
activities related to overseas employment;

(b) To ensure transparency and require the submission of reports from concerned
government agencies on the conduct of programs, projects and policies relating to the
implementation of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended;

(c) To approve the budget for the programs of the Oversight Committee and all
disbursements therefrom, including compensation of all personnel;

(d) To submit periodic reports to the President of the Philippines and Congress on the
implementation of the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended;

(e) To determine weaknesses in the law and recommend the necessary remedial legislation
or executive measures; and

(f) To perform such other duties, functions and responsibilities as may be necessary to attain
its objectives.

The Oversight Committee shall adopt its internal rules of procedure, conduct hearings and
receive testimonies, reports, and technical advice, invite or summon by subpoena ad
testificandum any public official or private citizen to testify before it, or require any person
by subpoena duces tecum documents or other materials as it may require consistent with the
provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended.

The Oversight Committee shall organize its staff and technical panel, and appoint such
personnel, whether on secondment from the Senate and the House of Representatives or on
temporary, contractual, or on consultancy, and determine their compensation subject to
 applicable civil service laws, rules and regulations with a view to ensuring a competent and
efficient secretariat.

The members of the Oversight Committee shall not receive additional compensation,
allowances or emoluments for services rendered thereto except traveling, extraordinary and
other necessary expenses to attain its goals and objectives.

The Oversight Committee shall exist for a period of ten (10) years from the effectivity of this
Act and may be extended by a joint concurrent resolution.

Section 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The departments and agencies charged
with carrying out the provisions of this Act, except as otherwise provided herein, in
consultation with the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment and the House of
Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, shall, within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective
implementation.

Section 26. Funding. The departments, agencies, instrumentalities, bureaus, offices and
government-owned and controlled corporations charged with carrying out the provisions of
SEC. 38. APPROPRIATION AND OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING. - The amount necessary to carry this Act shall include in their respective programs the implementation of this Act, the funding
out the provisions of this Act shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act of the of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The Congressional Oversight
year following its enactment into law and thereafter. Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs shall have the sum of Twenty-five million pesos
(P25,000,000.00), half of which shall be charged against the current appropriations of the
SEC. 39. MIGRANT WORKERS DAY. - The day of signing by the President of this Act Senate while the other half shall be charged against the current appropriations of the House
shall be designated as the Migrant Workers Day and shall henceforth be commemorated as of Representatives, to carry out its powers and functions for its initial operations and for
such annually. fiscal years wherein the General Appropriations Act is reenacted and no provision for its
continued operation is included in such Act. Thereafter, such amount necessary for its
SEC. 40. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The departments and agencies continued operations shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act shall, within ninety (90) days after the
effectivity of this Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective Section 27. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, may portion of this Act is declared
implementation. unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions not
affected thereby.
SEC. 41. REPEATING CLAUSE. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed Section 28. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules and
or modified accordingly. regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.
SEC. 42. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this
Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be Section 29. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
affected thereby. least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 43. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation whichever comes earlier.