Recto pushes for P1B OFW assistance fund

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Tuesday pushed for increased allotment in assistance fund for overseas Filipino workers.

In a report aired on Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, Recto said that instead of the P527 million stipulated in the proposed 2015 national budget, the fund should be increased to P1 billion.

Recto maintained that the P527 million fund for overseas Filipino workers is not enough for possible repatriation and evacuation of Filipinos working in conflict and war-torn countries. Moreover, he claimed that the fund will also benefit the families of OFWs.

He also added that his proposed increment for the budget is just a small amount compared to the P1.115 trillion revenue being infused to the country’s economy by the Filipino migrant workers.

Currently, there are an estimated 10 million Filipinos working overseas.

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