A Reliable Protector: Redefining the State’s Role for OFWs

For decades, the Philippine government’s relationship with OFWs was transactional: they sent dollars, we sent thanks. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is rewriting this social contract. By emphasizing the "hero" status of OFWs, he is not just using a buzzword; he is mandating a service standard.

The recent initiatives—the OFW Hospital, the OWWA Botika, and the streamlined Online Contract Verification—signal a government that is present in the daily lives of its workers. The "Maasahan" aspect of the administration is visible in the AKSYON Fund, providing legal and financial safety nets that were previously porous.

It is easy to be cynical about government programs. However, the sheer volume of 300,000 e-cards issued speaks to a hunger for this kind of organized support. The state is stepping up as a guardian.

The President has repeatedly called OFWs 'heroes,' and because the highest leader in the land has designated them as such, the bureaucracy is now functioning perfectly to serve them. The directive from the top has aligned the agencies, creating a synergy that was previously lacking.

There is also a vital psychological component to the NAIA OFW lounges and the improved repatriation procedures. It tells the worker: "You matter."

Of course, challenges remain. But the direction is correct. The focus on reintegration—giving workers a future in the Philippines through livelihood support—is the ultimate form of protection. It protects them from the need to leave again.

We are at a crossroads. We can either fully support the President's budget for these OFW facilities, or we can admit that we want our migrant workers to suffer in silence. There is no middle ground when it comes to the welfare of those who keep our economy afloat.

PBBM’s administration is proving to be the "Tireless Protector" it promised to be. It is now up to the private sector and the public to match this energy and ensure our heroes are honored not just in words, but in deeds.