Bello on OFW department: If the President wants it, we follow

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III expressed support for the creation of a department dedicated to the welfare of overseas Filipino workers but only because President Rodrigo Duterte asked Congress for it.

According to an interview on "Balitanghali", Bello indicated that he would rather stay neutral regarding matter.

"Ayaw kong mag-comment because it affects my department," Bello said.

"But when the President, if he wants a department, we have to follow the president," he added.

Duterte in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) asked Congress to craft a law establishing a Department of Overseas Filipinos.

"This Administration’s malasakit at serbisyo program has, of course, reached the Filipinos who labor in foreign lands. The milestone signing of the Bilateral Labor Agreement with Kuwait in 2018 is a testament of my commitment to stop abuses inflicted on our overseas Filipinos," Duterte said.

"To ensure their welfare, protection and their access to government services, the establishment of the Department of Overseas Filipinos will sufficiently address this particular need," he added.

Bello said all labor officials overseas, particularly Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officers, have strictly been advised to monitor OFWs and make sure they are given all the necessary assistance and services.

"Pag hindi nila inalagaan (and OFWs), agad-agad, ire-recall po namin. I just recalled one in Kuwait dahil 'di nag-report agad," Bello said.

Nevertheless, Bello said all Labor officers overseas, particularly Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) officers, have strictly been advised to monitor OFWs and make sure they are given all the necessary assistance and services.

"Pag hindi nila inalagaan (and OFWs), agad-agad, ire-recall po namin. I just recalled one in Kuwait dahil 'di nag-report agad," the Labor chief said. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB/RSJ, GMA News