MANILA – Senator Christopher Lawrence Go on Friday urged his fellow lawmakers to act immediately on the passage of a bill that would create a Department of Overseas Filipinos (DOFil)
In a statement, he asked his colleagues to continue the committee deliberations to see how the upper chamber can reach a viable solution, citing the 10 million overseas Filipinos that would benefit from the law.
He added that while the government does its best to create better opportunities for these Filipinos to return home, "it is still the responsibility of the state to take care of its citizens wherever they are in the world".
“Sila po 'yung bagong bayani natin, more than 10 million po 'yan, nagpapakamatay sila sa ibang bansa (They are our modern heroes. they are more than 10 million making sacrifices abroad)," he said.
"Hindi po nababayaran ang lungkot na mawalay sa pamilya — kaya po bigyan natin sila ng departamento na pinamumunuan ng isang Cabinet-level Secretary na para sa kanila talaga. Ito ang magtitimon, magpapagitna, poprotekta sa kanilang mga karapatan, magsisiguro sa kanilang kapakanan, at tutugon sa kanilang mga hinaing (We are creating this agency with a Cabinet-level Secretary to cater to their needs. This department will be the one to protect their rights and ensure their welfare)," he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently certified as urgent Senate Bill No. 1949 -- the newest version of a measure filed by Go providing for the creation of the DOFil.
In the explanatory note of SB 1949, Go said the new version of the proposal “represents the unified position of the entire Executive branch of the government” and is intended to “enable the proposed Department to address the most crucial problems, deliver the most important services, and ultimately achieve its goals.”
In this version, the new Secretary will now have the authority to assess and evaluate, and transfer, delineate, reassign, or reorganize the functional areas or responsibilities of each office as he may deem necessary.
He is further authorized to recommend the creation of or additional Undersecretary and Assistant Secretary posts and other positions as may be necessary, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
It also consolidates the Legal Assistance Fund and the Assistance to Nationals Fund currently administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs into a single fund that will be administered by the DOFil. (PNA)
