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Friday, March 29, 2024

Agency solely for migrant workers

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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday broached the creation of a separate department for the Filipinos working abroad to protect them from fixers. 

“If Bebot [Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III] will allow, we can set up another department for overseas workers only,” Duterte told his Cabinet  in a meeting that was broadcast live through Radio-TV Malacañang. 

“We can make an agency effectively solely for them. I will protect them from fixers.” 

In a recent speech, Duterte vowed to end the long queues to obtain government permits and documents and to arrest extortionists.

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Duterte said he does not wish to interfere with the Cabinet secretaries and government officials in leading their respective departments, but he will order them to lessen the public complaints, citing his concern over the long queues to avail of services.

He also vowed to shorten the process of releasing passports for migrant workers. 

“I don’t want to be heroic. I just want honesty and good faith in dealing with the public,” Duterte said.

He described situations in which Filipinos were miserable because they had to wait a long time for their documents. He said he will issue an order to release permits within three days.

“The Filipinos are suffering too much,” Duterte said. 

“If only they could get their documents without having to endure bureaucratic utility. I am bound to protect workers who are traveling.” 

Duterte said the processes for migrant workers will be streamlined for their convenience. John Paolo Bencito

“I would like to direct the BIR, the police, the NBI so the workers can have a contiguous place where they will not spend so much. If they are applying, isang lakaran na lang,” Duterte said. 

Duterte said he also plans to use the Clark International Airport more to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 

Earlier, Transport secretary Arthur Tugade said he planned to transfer the general aviations operations out of NAIA to at least increase the space in the 44-hectare airport. 

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