MANILA — The House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, chaired by AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla, is set to push for the approval of House Bill No. 275, the proposed OFW Remittance Protection Act, in a hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Revilla cited growing global fees as a threat to the remittances sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which are a vital lifeline for millions of families. Citing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, he emphasized that 95 percent of OFW remittances are spent on food and basic household needs.

“Hindi na dapat mabawasan pa bawat remittance ipinapadala ng ating mga OFWs sa kanilang pamilya. Literal na dugo’t pawis ang kanilang puhunan dito. Kahit mukhang maliit ang isang porsyento, ramdam pa rin ito sa bulsa mga Bagong Bayani – lalo na sa patuloy na pagtaas ng mga serbisyo’t bilihin,” Revilla said.

(Every remittance our OFWs send to their families must remain intact. Their investment here is literally their blood and sweat. Even a seemingly small percentage cut is felt deeply by our Bagong Bayani—especially with the rising costs of goods and services.)

The lawmaker raised concern following a new 1 percent federal tax in the United States, effective Jan. 1, 2026, on certain cash-based international remittances. While bank and digital transfers are exempt, OFWs with limited access to digital financial infrastructure may still be affected.

With the US accounting for roughly 40 percent of the Philippines’ total remittance inflows, Revilla stressed that the country must act to mitigate the impact of evolving global remittance costs.

“OFW remittances are more than economic statistics. Ito ay pagkain sa mesa, matrikula ng mga anak, at panggastos sa araw-araw. Kapag may bawas, kabuhayan agad ang tinatamaan,” he said.

(This money translates to food on the table, tuition for children, and daily expenses. Any deduction immediately hurts their livelihood.)

HB No. 275 proposes measures to regulate excessive remittance fees, ensure transparency in exchange rates and charges, penalize abusive practices by financial institutions, and expand access to mandatory financial education for OFWs and their families.

Revilla said protecting OFW remittances remains a priority while long-term solutions to domestic job creation are pursued.

“Habang wala pa ang pangmatagalang solusyon sa labor migration, tungkulin nating tiyakin na napoprotektahan ang kita ng ating mga OFWs,” he added.

(While long-term solutions to labor migration are still pending, it is our duty to ensure that the earnings of our OFWs are protected.)

The committee plans to focus on system-wide protections to shield remittances from unexpected external charges and unfair domestic practices, complementing broader welfare measures, including the proposed Bagong Balikbayan Act.

“Ito ang ating pangako: kapag ang OFW ay nagpadala ng pera, dapat buo itong makarating sa kanilang pamilya. Agad tayong kikilos – para sa kanila at para sa ating ekonomiya,” Revilla said.

(This is our pledge: when an OFW sends money, it must reach their family in full. We will act without delay—for them and for our economy.)