Last July 9, 2018 , in a flagraising ceremony hosted by the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), headed by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, conferred a posthumous award to the late Senator Edgardo J. Angara for uplifting the lives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Board released a resolution recognizing the late Angara: "Senator Angara's name is forever etched in the hearts of OFWs, with the greatest legacy being his son, Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ M. Angara, who maintains his father's resolve to strengthen protection of the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs, most notably as co-author and principal sponsor of the OWWA Act (Republic Act 10801).”

“I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this very important gesture that the DOLE and OWWA has bestowed on my father,” remarked by Senator Sonny M. Angara who received the award on behalf of his father.

Among the late senator’s landmark legislations are the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995; the laws creating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); the Free High School Act; the Senior Citizens Act; and the National Health Insurance Act.

Continuing his father’s legacy, Senator Sonny Angara has sponsored the OWWA Act that institutionalized and strengthened the government's support to OFWs by making OWWA an attached agency of DOLE. Starting this year, OWWA has received government funding for its OFW programs and services, instead of relying solely from the contributions of its OFW members.

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