House backs three bills to strengthen OFW legal and financial protections

The House of Representatives passed three bills during Wednesday's session designed to expand legal and financial support systems for overseas Filipino workers. House Bills 9462, 9805, and 9806 cleared second reading through a voice vote, with all three measures sponsored by Agimat party-list Representative Bryan Revilla, who chairs the relevant House committee overseeing worker protection initiatives.

The legislative package reflects continued congressional focus on safeguarding the estimated millions of Filipinos working overseas who remit substantial funds to support their families at home. The bills seek to address vulnerabilities faced by OFWs in various host countries, including issues related to contract enforcement, wage protection, and access to emergency assistance.

Representative Revilla's committee has prioritized comprehensive protection mechanisms for overseas workers, recognizing their critical contribution to the national economy through remittances. The approval on second reading marks progress toward final legislative consideration, with the measures expected to undergo third reading before advancing to the Senate for concurrent action.

The three bills now move forward in the legislative pipeline as part of broader efforts to modernize OFW support systems and ensure compliance with international labor standards. Stakeholders in the overseas worker community have stressed the importance of such measures in addressing existing gaps in worker protection frameworks.