Section 8Sec./Art. 8

The Secretary. The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate, powers, and functions of the Department shall be vested in the Secretary of the Department, who shall exercise supervision and control over the Department.

For such purposes, the Secretary shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Provide executive directions, supervision, and control over the entire operations of the Department and exercise supervision over its attached agency for program and policy coordination;

(b) Establish polices and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical operation of the Department, consistent with the programs of the government;

(c) Issue orders, directives, rules, regulations, and other issuances, upon due consultation with stakeholders, to carry out policies, plans, programs, or projects pursuant to the provisions of this Act, and exercise such other powers as may be required to implement and realize the objectives of this Act;

(d) Evaluate policies, plans, programs, projects, performance and accomplishments of the Department, and prepare an annual report that shall be submitted to the Congressional Oversight Committee provided under Section 25 of this Act and be made available to the public thru its website or any other means that will ensure broad dissemination of its contents;

(e) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative orders and on the formulation of necessary regulatory and legislative proposals on matters pertaining to OFWs and their families;

(f) Administer and manage the AKSYON Fund as provided under Section 14 of this Act and other appropriations given to the Department and issue guidelines for the proper and efficient utilization thereof;

(g) Act as Chairperson of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Board;

(h) Sit as member of the IACAT created under Republic Act No. 9208, as amended;

(i) Upon approval of the President and subject to Section 9 hereof, create additional offices and positions, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), as may be necessary to fulfill its mandate pursuant to the provisions of this Act;

(j) Render decisions, orders, and resolutions on appeal on cases decided by the Regional Director arising from recruitment violations or disciplinary actions;

(k) At any time, terminate, suspend, or impose a total ban on the deployment of migrant workers, when upon his or her assessment, after consultation with the advisory board on migration and development and the Secretary of the DFA in consonance with Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, the conditions in the receiving country or region are inimical and not protective of the best interest, welfare, and safety of migrant workers;

(l) Act as a Chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on the OFW Hospital pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order No. 154; and

(m) Perform such other tasks as provided under existing laws, including the functions of the POEA Administrator under Executive Order No. 247, Republic Act No. 8042, as amended and other laws.