(PNA file photo) MANILA-Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III has reminded Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) that they are still under his jurisdiction. In a memorandum to Labor Attaches Fidel Macauyag, Roel Martin, and Hector Cruz dated April 26, the DOLE chief said until the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is fully constituted, said offices will be under the DOLE. "In the light of the recent issuance of Department Order No. 04, dated 25 April 2022 by Secretary Abdullah D. Mama-o, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), all POLOs are hereby reminded that the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) and all POLOs shall remain under the direct supervision and control of the DOLE Secretary and shall maintain a status quo in their daily operations," he said. The DOLE chief noted that the DMW has to comply with Section 23 of Republic Act No. 11641, otherwise known as the Department of Migrant Workers Law. The law mandates compliance with the three enabling conditions before the DMW is fully constituted -- Approved and effective Implementing Rules and Regulations; Approved staffing pattern; and Approved budget under the 2023 General Appropriation Act. "Relative thereto, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has issued a memorandum dated 5 April 2022, stating among others that since the DMW has not been fully constituted, the government agencies enumerated in Section 19 of R.A. No. 11641 shall continue to exist separately and shall perform their respective mandates," Bello said. "Until the foregoing conditions are fully satisfied, the Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers cannot impose any policy over the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the POLOs," he added. At the same time, the DOLE chief also reminded the Labor Attaches that the deployment of the new hires to the host country is still not allowed. "As such, the verification of employment documents for new hires bound for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall remain suspended, until further instructions from the Undersigned," he said. The memorandum was issued in response to Department Order No. 04, dated April 25, 2022 issued by DMW Secretary Abdullah Mama-0, lifting the suspension of the deployment of new hires bound for KSA. (PNA) }