POEA: No merger yet of 7 agencies under DMW

MANILA, Philippines — Seven government agencies under the newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DWM) have yet to be consolidated, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced yesterday.

“These agencies will maintain their functions until the DMW becomes fully operational, based on the instruction of the Office of the President,” POEA chief Bernard Olalia said at a press briefing.

Aside from the POEA, the other agencies attached to the Department of Labor and Employment to be merged under the DMW are the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, International Labor Affairs Bureau, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and National Maritime Polytechnic.

Also to be consolidated with the DMW are the Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s National Social Welfare Attaché.

In a memorandum dated April 19, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed POEA personnel to observe the status quo in the performance of their duties until the DMW is fully constituted.

Bello said contrary positions taken by some quarters have caused “confusion and disruption of public service, to the detriment of migrant workers.”

“It is important that the status quo is maintained pending the issuance by the justice secretary of a decision, which should be conclusive and binding for all parties concerned,” he said.

Olalia said his post as POEA chief would be assumed by the DMW secretary when the department becomes operational.

He noted that President Duterte has approved the implementing rules and regulations for the creation of the DMW.

Olalia said the transition committee would focus on crafting the staffing pattern for the DMW and the budget appropriations under the 2023 General Appropriations Act.

He said the transition committee is expected to come out with the proposed DMW staffing pattern by June.