Overseas Filipino workers (Photo courtesy of OFW Help Facebook) MANILA - UniTeam standard-bearer Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Sara Duterte, will continue and intensify all programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) implemented under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. During the UniTeam's online miting de avance (advanced meeting) with OFWs on Friday night, Marcos said there is a need for the next administration to properly recognize the contributions of the country's modern-day heroes. He said the government should always repay the sacrifices of OFWs. "Kaya kami sa UniTeam, marami kaming iniisip na plano upang bigyan ng mas magandang buhay pa ang ating mga kababayan na nagtatrabaho sa(That's why the UniTeam has lots of plans to give much better lives for our countrymen working) abroad," Marcos said. Meanwhile, Sara Duterte said they will work hard to establish more one-stop-shop centers for OFWs nationwide. "
(File photo) MANILA - The newly-created Department of Migrant Workers is expected to start operations by 2023, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said on Thursday. "They have a so-called transition period, two years have been given by law for the transition of agencies to the new Department of Migrant Workers and during this transition period, a transition committee will be formed," POEA chief Bernard Olalia said in a Laging Handa briefing on Thursday. Olalia said the committee is tasked to craft the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the department, the organizational structure, and staffing pattern. The committee will also submit a budget proposal for the department for 2023. It will be composed of officials from the POEA, the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs or UMWA from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA); Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO(sad) National Reintegration Center for OFWs, National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP