To better serve the millions of Filipinos working abroad, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is advocating for a significant boost in its budget to establish more Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) and enhance its suite of services. During a recent interview, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac underscored the necessity of expanding the agency’s physical footprint to keep pace with the growing needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Strategic Expansion of Global Offices
The DMW has outlined an aggressive expansion plan for its international presence to provide more accessible aid to the Filipino diaspora. Secretary Cacdac announced that the department is scheduled to open approximately four new Migrant Workers Offices by the end of 2026, with an additional five offices planned for the following year. This expansion is part of a broader government commitment to ensure that assistance is delivered efficiently and effectively to OFWs, regardless of where they are deployed.
Comprehensive Support and Protection Programs
Beyond physical infrastructure, the DMW highlighted its ongoing welfare achievements, including providing financial aid to over 65,000 OFWs through the Action Fund and offering legal support to 14,000 workers via international legal retainers. The department is also focusing on long-term sustainability by coordinating with agencies like TESDA, CHED, and DTI to provide reintegration programs, livelihood training, and job-matching for returning workers. Furthermore, the DMW is broadening its efforts to address the "social cost of migration" by creating support systems for families left behind in the Philippines, including psychosocial interventions and values formation activities.
Commitment to Future-Ready Welfare
As the agency continues to open new labor markets, it remains vigilant against the rise of illegal recruitment and online scams that often target aspiring migrant workers. The DMW is also actively pursuing bilateral and multilateral labor engagements to strengthen protections for Filipino workers, particularly those in domestic and skilled labor sectors. Looking ahead, the agency is prioritizing the completion of specialized facilities like the OFW Cancer Care Center, which will be integrated into the existing OFW Hospital to provide dedicated health services for migrant workers and their families.
