TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Philippines opened its largest overseas Filipino worker service center in Taipei on October 11, 2026, with plans to establish two more facilities in central and southern Taiwan within the next two years. The OFW Global Center-Taipei is the third such facility worldwide.
A One-Stop Hub for Filipino Workers
Located in the same building as the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei's Neihu District, the center serves as a comprehensive hub where Filipino migrant workers can access government services, welfare assistance, and training without returning to the Philippines. It is the largest facility of its kind to date.
The center features training spaces, a café offering free coffee, a karaoke room, and dedicated areas for government services. Planned activities include Mandarin classes, financial literacy programs, computer and artificial intelligence training, and courses on content creation and entrepreneurship.
Skills as the Best Protection
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan emphasized that skills provide lasting security for migrant workers. "Skills are the best protection for migrant workers. You can never take away skills," she said. The training programs aim to help workers pursue new career opportunities or start businesses upon returning home.
Caunan also acknowledged the emotional challenges of living away from family. The center will provide counseling and social interaction opportunities to address homesickness. Workers are encouraged to simply walk in and make themselves comfortable in the café area.
Plans for Expansion Across Taiwan
The OWWA hopes to establish similar centers in Taichung and Kaohsiung over the next two years. Feasibility studies are already underway for these proposed facilities. The goal is to bring services closer to workers in central and southern Taiwan.
"We don't want our OFWs in Kaohsiung to travel all the way to Taipei just to experience this," Caunan said. The proposed centers will likely be located near MECO offices in the two cities.
Government Commitment to Overseas Filipinos
MECO Chairperson Corazon Avecilla-Padiernos said the new center reflects the Philippine government's commitment to supporting its citizens abroad. "Wherever our Filipinos may be, the care and support of our government must remain within their reach," she said during the opening ceremony.
Taiwan had approximately 191,000 Filipino blue-collar migrant workers as of August 2026, including over 61,000 in Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan. The new center addresses the growing need for accessible services.
Workers Welcome the New Facility
Geraldine G. Domingo, a 54-year-old caregiver who has worked in Taiwan for 12 years, welcomed the convenience. "This is very convenient now because everything is here already, what a Filipino overseas worker needs," she said. She expressed interest in Mandarin classes and supported expanding centers elsewhere.
Judith Vidal Mendoza, 37, another caregiver with eight years in Taiwan, emphasized the importance of accessibility. She hoped the center would offer faster document processing and additional services, reducing the need to take time off work for administrative procedures.
