President Rodrigo Duterte has renewed his call to congress to fast track the creation of Overseas Filipino department.

The proposal has been stuck in the senate over issues of funding and possible job losses due to overlapping functions of other government agencies.

“I’d like to hurry up Congress on one of my proposals during the campaign period which was the creation of Overseas Filipino Department,” Duterte said.

Senator Bong Go filed Senate Bill 202 but has not seen the light of day from the Senate Committee on Labor since July 2019.

The proposed legislation also seeks to abolish POEA and OWWA and other agencies handling migrant workers’ concerns.

Senator Joel Villanueva previously said that the bill is still being refined in order to create a seamless department for Overseas Filipinos.

The President also wants to create a separate department for seafarers because of many international maritime laws.

“There will be a more thorough review on policy for your protection and that somebody should look after you,” Duterte said.