P15B allocated for DMW, two-thirds of the budget devoted to OFWs repatriation

The national government (NG) has allocated P15.2 billion for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The 66% of the P15.21-billion 2023 budget for the newly established Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has been allocated to the Emergency Repatriation Program run by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Under the 2023 National Expenditure Program, P10.039 billion is earmarked for the program, which provides “assistance in bringing back distressed OFWs and human remains back to the country.”

Related OWWA services include “providing temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, and transport services to their respective localities,” the DBM said.

The OWWA, which will receive P11.67 billion, is an arm of the DMW.

Other budget items include P3.5 billion for the Office of the Secretary, of which P2.7 billion or 77% goes to the Overseas Employment and Welfare Program, inclusive of a P1.2 billion allocation for the AKSYON Fund pursuant to Republic Act No. 11641.

“Other programs included in the DMW budget allocation for 2023 are the Overseas Employment Regulatory Program, Labor Migration Policy and International Cooperation Program, Maritime Research and Skills Competency Program, and Provision for OFW Hospital and Diagnostic Center under Overseas Employment and Welfare Program among others,” the DBM said.

Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11641 on Dec. 30 creating the DMW.