Press Release
August 28, 2008

Villar cites need for health attaches

Senate President Manny Villar filed Senate Resolution No. 589 urging the Senate committee on labor to inquire on the need to deploy health attaches and doctors in Philippine diplomatic offices in foreign countries where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are concentrated.

Villar, who visited the wake of OFW Evelyn Milo in Singalong, Manila, whose remains bore marks of foul play, said many OFWs' need for professional medical help abroad should compel the government to deploy health attaches.

OFWs we welcomed last week also requested for medical attention which they failed to get abroad, he said.

The Senate President said this need should be given priority instead of the mandatory psychiatric test earlier pushed for all departing OFWs which is an additional burden to them in terms of costs.

"Philippine diplomacy should be OFW-centered and pursuing our workers' best interests, especially decent working conditions which enhance their well-being," Villar said.

In his resolution, Villar said that the Constitution states, "(T)he State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all."

He said it is the declared policy in Republic Act 8042 that "the protection of the Filipino migrant workers and the promotion of their welfare, and the protection of the dignity and fundamental rights and freedom of the Filipino citizens abroad, in general, shall be the highest priority concern of the Philippine foreign service posts."

The Senate President has shouldered the funeral and burial costs for OFW Evelyn Milo whose mother asked for financial help yesterday which was aired on national TV (QTV Balitanghali) and to which Villar promptly responded.

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