TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -8 P5:25 SENATE Senate Bill No. PHOT Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS PENSION FUND TO PROVIDE PENSION TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Sections 18, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the state affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. OFWs are modern-day heroes because of their huge role in the economy. Their remittances are a major economic driver supporting millions of Filipino families. Despite this, many OFWs return home with little to no savings or retirement plan. This bill seeks to establish OF W Pension Fund to provide pension to OFW, especially those who are engaged in manual, skilled, or technical occupations that require physical labor, specialized training, or vocational skills. Likewise, there will be monthly pension in the amount of at least P5,000.00 per month to eligible OF Ws, subject to the pension plan to be established by the Department of Migrant Workers. This is a form of justice, recognition, and protection for the people who sustain our nation from afar. In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly sought. ERWIN TULFO
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL -8 P5:25 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No._ 252 Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS PENSION FUND TO PROVIDE PENSION TO OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "OFW
2 Pension Act of 2025."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy
of the State to protect and promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. Towards this end, the State shall accord due recognition to • overseas Filipino workers' contribution to the country's development by providing them with pension benefits to assist them with their basic necessities when they reach the age of retirement.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, Overseas
Filipino Worker (OFW) shall refer to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a state of which he or she is not a citizen or on board a vessel navigating the foreign seas other than a government ship used for military or non- commercial purposes or on an installation located offshore or on the high seas, including but not limited to those who are engaged in
manual, skilled, or technical occupations that require physical labor, specialized training, or vocational skills.
SEC. 4. Establishment of the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)
Pension Fund. - An OFW Pension Fund is hereby established to provide pension benefits to overseas Filipino workers, especially those who are engaged in manual, skilled, or technical occupations that require physical labor, specialized training, or vocational skills.
SEC. 5. Eligibility. - The benefits of this Act shall apply to the an
OFW who is: a) At least sixty (60) years of age upon retirement with accumulated fifteen (15) years of overseas employment; and b) Registered with Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA). Provided, That the pension under this Act shall be separate and 20 distinct from pension of OF Ws covered by Social Security System (SSS) 21 or the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
SEC. 6. Overseas Filipino Workers Pension (OFW Pension). -
All eligible Overseas Filipino Workers shall be entitled to receive a monthly pension in the amount of at least Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) per month upon retirement, subject to the pension plan to be established by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
SEC. 7. Role of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). - The
DMW shall be the lead implementing agency and administrator of this Act. In addition to its existing duties and responsibilities, the DMW shall: a) Establish a pension plan for OF Ws; b) Manage the OFW Pension Fund to ensure it sustainability; c) Determine the criteria for eligibility, in coordination with relevant government agencies; and
d) Perform other duties and functions towards the efficient and effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within
ninety (90) days from approval of this Act, the DMW, in consultation with Department of Finance (DOF), POEA, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), non- government organizations advocating the rights and welfare of OF Ws and other stakeholders, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary in the proper implementation of this Act.
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual appropriations of the DMW.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of
this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances,
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,