MR. PRESIDENT, THIS REPRESENTATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND PROMOTION OF WELFARE OF OUR WORKERS, INCLUDING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS OR OFWs. SINCE MY FIRST STINT AS A LEGISLATOR, IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MY DUTIES AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE LIFE STORIES AND SACRIFICES OF OUR OFWs, SHEPHERD MEASURES THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR SAFETY AND WORKING CONDITIONS, AND HELP THEM IN MY OWN HUMBLE WAY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE DISTRESSED AND WANTED TO COME HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES.