CASES of children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Davao City are rising.
From 2014 to mid-2017, at least 132 children of OFWs mostly left behind with spouses, guardians and other relatives were victimized in various kinds of abuse, according to the Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions, Inc. (MMCEAI), a nongovernment organization (NGO) advocating for the rights of OFWs.
MMCEA executive director Inorisa Elento the recorded cases were about sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, incest, school dropout, abandonment, premature sexual relations among many others.
Elento said this one reason why their group is seeking for the full implementation of Davao City ordinance for the protection and welfare of OFWs. The nine-year old unimplemented ordinance includes an office under the Office of the City Mayor designated to give holistic service for OFWs.
“Some OFW children struggling to live away from their parents are unable to address their concern because they don’t know where to go,” she said.
Elento said that City Ordinance 056-08, also known as OFW Center Ordinance, has not yet taken effect since its enactment on January 15, 2008.
“The center will look into the concerns of the OFWs, most especially the distressed workers, and their families,” she said.
“ Anak- OFW are at high risk from abuses, physical, mental and emotional due, to the absence of their parents. There are already reported cases of incest-rape, battering and verbal abuse towards Anak-OFW. Being left by their OFW parents poses them as vulnerable children,” Elento said.
According to Elento, the technical requirements of the local ordinance were already completed and already been done series of consultations. It’s been almost 10 years but the center has not been put up until now for lack of funding from the city government.
However, she said the city government does not need to go on a full-scale implementation.
“The programs could be implemented gradually until it will be established fully and government must think that they should not only focus on the OFWs but on their families as well.” she added.
Elento said that her group is seeking to meet with Mayor Sara D, Carpio to seek her help on the implementation of the ordinance.
Meanwhile, the MMCEAI, within its limited capability, is active in providing direct assistance and services to OFWs and their immediate families.
