Ople: Marcos also wants programs for families of OFWs

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants to make the lives of overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families better under his administration, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople has said.

In the latest episode of The Mangahas Interview, Ople said that Marcos had instructed her to establish programs not only for OFWs but also for their families.

“Ang perspective natin o lente ay OFWs… Paano natin sila ma-ta-track na hindi sila mahirapan at hindi nila na-fi-feel yung burden? Dapat alisin natin sa kanila as much as possible kasi ang iwan ang pamilya ay napakahirap na desisyon na 'yun,” Ople said.

(Our perspective or lens are the OFWs… How can we easily track them so that they would not feel the burden? We need to remove the burden from them as much as possible because leaving their family was a very difficult decision.)

“So, let’s try and see how the government can be invisible in the process and yet be there when we are needed,” she added.

Ople said Marcos wanted to strengthen database management to see an efficient reintegration of returning OFWs so they could be matched with jobs from prospective employers in the country.

“Gusto niya may database management din ang mga OFWs. Sino papauwi? Anong skill set nila? Anong industry ang pwedeng mag-absorb sa kanila? Sino sa kanila ang gustong magtayo ng negosyo?” Ople said.

(He wants OFWs to have database management as well. Who’s going home? What skill set do they have? What industry can absorb them? Who among them wants to have a business?)

Ople said there were also plans to have partnerships in private institutions to create programs and services for OFWs and their families.

"In fact, mayroon lang napakaliit na opisina na tinatawag na National Integration Center for OFWs… I think, hindi naman alam ng mga OFWs na mayroon pa lang opisina… and the only way that it could come to life is really through a partnership with the private sector.

(In fact, there is a small office called the National Integration Center for OFWs… I think OFWs do not know that the office exists… and the only way that it could come to life is really through a partnership with the private sector.) —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News