Manila: House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairperson and AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla on Wednesday called on all Philippine consular services around the world to provide services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) even during weekends and holidays.
According to Philippines News Agency, the party-list solon proposed that Philippine embassies and consular offices, especially in countries with large OFW populations, explore ways to operate seven days a week and on holidays, or adopt rotational day-off schedules, to better serve Filipino migrants. Revilla made the call during the organizational meeting of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and committee briefings by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, and Maritime Industry Authority regarding their mandates and programs for OFWs and their families.
Revilla emphasized that most OFWs, particularly those in the Middle East, have only one day off, which often coincides with weekends or holidays. This situation leaves them unable to access consular services when embassies or consulates are closed. The lawmaker pointed out that many overseas workers are under “no work, no pay” arrangements, forcing them to lose a portion of their income whenever they take time off to process documents or seek assistance.
He suggested that his proposed scheduling changes would not only help reduce long queues but also ensure that OFWs have timely access to essential consular services such as passport renewals, notarial services, and assistance for those in distress. Revilla also highlighted that while the DFA and DMW are expanding digital services, physical and on-site accessibility remains crucial for urgent transactions and emergencies.
Revilla pledged to collaborate with relevant agencies to review current practices and propose legislation that ensures more accessible and responsive consular services for OFWs worldwide.
