Left Behind Household of Migrant Workers Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE JUL -8 P5:32 First Regular Session REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SENATE REXC S. No. 262 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR ESTABLISHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY MIGRANT WORKERS EXPLANATORY NOTE Hailed as modern-day heroes, migrant workers are the testament of sacrifice and tenacity, as they continue to navigate towards unfamiliar territory, arduous working conditions, and long-term separation from the family. While they are able to financially contribute to their families, migrant workers are often separated from their children during the most formative years of growth, which threatens healthy development. 1 A study reveals that children of migrant workers experienced a vast range of poor physical and mental health outcomes due to separation from their parents.? Children who are left behind are also more vulnerable to risks that could affect their growth and general well-being. Emotional neglect and social isolation may be experienced by them. These may increase their vulnerabilities to mental health problems, as well as to abuse and exploitation.3 Ruptures in the family that started in early childhood may result in long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional outcomes. 4 1 Dominguez, G. B., & Hall, B. J. (2022). The health status and related interventions for children left behind due to parental migration in the Philippines: A scoping review. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 28, 100566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100566 2 Dominguez, supra note 1. 3 ARCSEA. (2024, November 7). Children Affected by Migration https://arcsea/org/children-affected-by-migration/ 4 Global Education Monitoring Report Team Migration, Displacement and Education Building Bridges, Not Walls. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Paris2018 https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000265866 as cited in Dominguez, supra notel

Migrant workers aim to fulfill the basic needs of the family, especially those related to food and financial security. However, the psychological needs of belongingness and intimacy are inadequate because of physical separation. 5 To address such, this bill seeks to establish Migrant Workers Family Centers nationwide to provide welfare assistance and counselling services for the families of migrant workers; to serve as coordinating offices to non-government organizations (NGOs) and associations that cater to the plight of migrant workers; and to serve as links of left behind households to various services and/or agencies of the government on overseas employment. These family centers will help the left behind family members to sustain harmony in their relationships and to prepare them for future reintegration with the migrant worker. In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR 5 Parreñas RS. Children of Global Migration: Transnational Families and Gendered Woes Stanford. Stanford University Press, 2005 as mentioned in Dominguez, supra note 1

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -8 P5:32 SENATE S. No. 262 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR ESTABLISHING A WELFARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES LEFT BEHIND BY MIGRANT WORKERS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Left Behind Household

of Migrant Workers Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to

4 strengthen the solidarity of the family and actively promote its total development. The 5 State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Towards this end, the State shall take such actions as are necessary to the 7 maximum extent practicable, to sustain harmony of the family and prepare families for future reintegration of Migrant Workers.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:

a) Center means the Migrant Workers Family Center; b) Left-Behind Household means families left behind by migrant workers to work abroad; and c) Migrant Workers means any Filipino citizen who works in any country outside the Philippines.

Sec. 4. Migrant Workers Family Centers. —

a) Centers. - The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shall establish Migrant Workers Family Centers nationwide. The purpose of the Centers are the following:

i) To provide welfare assistance and counselling services to the families of migrant workers; ii) To serve as coordinating office to non-government organizations and associations that cater to the plight of migrant workers; and iii) To serve as a link of left-behind households to various services and/or agencies of the government on overseas employment. b) Location of Centers. - Each center shall be strategically located in every city or municipality where there is a large population of families who have relatives working abroad. c) Jurisdiction. - The responsibilities of each center shall be centered on the welfare of left-behind families of migrant workers.

Sec. 5. Left-Behind Household Organizations. - DMW shall facilitate the

establishment of organizations or support groups of families left behind by migrant workers. It shall also provide a venue for the interaction of members of families of migrant workers.

Sec. 6. Report to Congress. - Three years from the passage of the provisions

of this Act, the DMW shall report to Congress the number of cases brought to the various centers and the intervention provided.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the

implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DMW.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act shall be

declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,