OFWS CAN SOON SEEK LEGAL ASSISTANCE VIA E-MAIL

Soon, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be able to benefit from modern technology as they send requests for legal assistance to the government through cyberspace.  Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Benjamin Domingo said his office is planning to teach OFWs to send electronic mail (e-mail) to seek help from the Estrada administration.

"We are also working on an integrated e-mail method of teaching. Domestic helpers can send e-mail to us, we can address them," Domingo said.  He took note that the DFA, through the Office of the Legal Assistant for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OLAMWA), has a standing agreement with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on providing legal help for OFWs.

Under the accord signed last July, the IBP would use its network of 45,000 lawyers to help the DFA extend legal assistance to OFWs and their families.  Domingo said this should benefit OFWs and their families, as the IBP has more than 80 offices nationwide.

"If there is a problem in Cotabato and the OFW is in Hong Kong, we can refer it to the DFA, which can refer the problem to the IBP in Cotabato," he said.  President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada has ordered concerned government agencies to extend all possible assistance to OFWs, whom he regards as among the country’s modern-day heroes.

The President said he is grateful to the OFWs for the sacrifices they make in helping prop up the economy.

Last month, a joint OLAMWA-IBP team went to Hong Kong and kicked off a free legal assistance campaign for OFWs there. Hong Kong is second home to at least 150,000 OFWs, many of whom are domestic helpers.